I'm specifically referring to how attacks to the groin were viewed historically, especially in organized engagements such as battles or duels. In modern times, and especially in situations like street fights, things are a little different, but even then, you can't ignore unnecessary escalation of violence.

In addition to rules of engagement, you have to acknowledge escalation of force. Violence is not an on/off switch that's set to either 'hug' or 'murder'. Generally, a combatant will only escalate combat to the lowest level at which he/she has an advantage. For example, if you are facing a much larger opponent in…

I understand your meaning, but you have to realize that there are rules of engagement which are a higher priority than life itself. For example, in modern warfare, feigning surrender is frowned upon. If you feign surrender, you are endangering your allies in the future in two ways: your enemies will be less likely to…

I suddenly like this article a lot.

One of the earliest observations in what would eventually become medical science was that male behavior changed drastically when the testicles were damaged or removed. Cultures as old as the Sumerians understood this. Thus, to damage a man's testicles was to damage his manliness, and that was a fate worse than death…

That makes sense, thank you.

Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but would that be an alternative method of respiration, or would it be fundamentally different from respiration (for example, by altogether bypassing certain steps necessary in respiration)?

Definitely retortoised.

What distinguishes their method of energy collection from respiration?

-What does that mean?

In both my karate and boxing classes, we were taught to be careful about punching the solar plexus, even with gloves on. If you strike the solar plexus right before your opponent starts to inhale, the diaphragm can stop. Without CPR, they will asphyxiate and die within minutes.

I wouldn't. From the fall of the Holy Roman Empire to the end of World War II, Europe was one giant battlefield. It took two conflicts on a global scale to bring Western civilization to its senses. It is and will continue to be a constant reminder of how a seemingly civilized and modern society can so quickly spiral…

If you get a chance, pick up Tales of the Bounty Hunters. It's a series of short stories focused on the bounty hunters shown in the Empire Strikes Back line-up. All of them are badasses, some on far more epic scales than others. Dengar's story ties in with Boba Fett's in surprising ways.

Aside from his cameo in Empire Strikes Back, I've only ever run into Dengar in the novels. Reading about how he realized, as a stormtrooper fired at him, that the bolt would hit him in the chest, stepped just far enough out of the way, then stepped back within the span of half a second helped my opinion of him.

Dengar is all sorts of badass.

He's not kidding. I've flown Singapore Airlines, and those flight attendants strut like they're runway modeling.

I followed you on Tumblr; I'll be getting at least a couple of these prints when they're available. Keep it up!

I thought Two-Face's half-shades were a clever touch.

That had to be the most glorious jump in the history of FTL. Regardless of how it compares technology-wise, BSG's tactics give it an edge over pretty much any other sci-fi battleship.

I think gallons per foot might be a better measurement.