“Good guys” need to learn what that gang member knew instinctively. There are no half-measures in life-or-death asocial violence. There is no bargaining or communication of any kind. There is only effective action with intent to injure and incapacitate. Whenever we take the victim’s perspective, we’re hobbling our minds and putting ourselves at a disadvantage. If we adopt the mindset of the aggressor, we flip the script and gain the edge. It starts by pulling yourself out of the victim’s mindset, into the mindset of someone who, if necessary, is willing to fight—to really fight—to survive.

