08-27-2004, 08:28 AM
Saw the other day a TV sequence of a riot in South Korea. The Police with usual plastic shields and in vague formation and the rioting crowd with moltovs and big sticks!<br>
<br>
It was very interesting to watch both sides. Occasionally, after long time intervals in which each side would stand at a safe distance, one side would suddenly charge the other. In the TV sequence I saw both sides charge the other a couple of times.<br>
<br>
Looking closely all the charges were best described as surges starting with a single person. That individual evidently worked up enough frustration to act out and strike at the annoying opponent. It seemed as if the outburst of that single person then triggered off similar behavior in those nearby and a surge occurred; i.e. they were not really coordinated charges!<br>
<br>
Mind you this occurred in the Police force too. There was no audio in the TV sequence but to me it seemed as if the coordination of the Police surges were not superior to those of the rioters. I suspect that the portion of the riot that I was watching had actually degenerated with the Police Commander having little or no command at all. It was simply a case of two groups beating at each other in a very simple and straightforward way.<br>
<br>
In front of a surge the opposing group sort of disintegrated falling back away from the oncoming threat. An interesting thing happened: as the defenders backed off, the density of attacking surge dropped and the attackers lost momentum: i.e. the surge extinguished itself! For a moment the attackers are very unstable and in once instance I saw a counter surge, again started by a single individual, sweep the attackers back.<br>
<br>
This is the risk of a emotional surge versus a coordinated charge. If enough people don't participate in the surge then it can disolve. In any case the location of the no-mans-land is indeed momentarlity pushed forward. But if it is not consolidated by the group that surged then the opponents will counter-surge and no net progress is made. For one side to progress it is important it follow-up and fill the gap.<br>
<br>
How do these "tribal warfare" observations apply to ancient battles? Any comments? My own comment/question is the following: In massive ancient battles was there not too little room (any at all?) for a defending side to disperse into so to dilute the oncoming surge? <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=goffredo>goffredo</A> at: 8/27/04 1:05 pm<br></i>
<br>
It was very interesting to watch both sides. Occasionally, after long time intervals in which each side would stand at a safe distance, one side would suddenly charge the other. In the TV sequence I saw both sides charge the other a couple of times.<br>
<br>
Looking closely all the charges were best described as surges starting with a single person. That individual evidently worked up enough frustration to act out and strike at the annoying opponent. It seemed as if the outburst of that single person then triggered off similar behavior in those nearby and a surge occurred; i.e. they were not really coordinated charges!<br>
<br>
Mind you this occurred in the Police force too. There was no audio in the TV sequence but to me it seemed as if the coordination of the Police surges were not superior to those of the rioters. I suspect that the portion of the riot that I was watching had actually degenerated with the Police Commander having little or no command at all. It was simply a case of two groups beating at each other in a very simple and straightforward way.<br>
<br>
In front of a surge the opposing group sort of disintegrated falling back away from the oncoming threat. An interesting thing happened: as the defenders backed off, the density of attacking surge dropped and the attackers lost momentum: i.e. the surge extinguished itself! For a moment the attackers are very unstable and in once instance I saw a counter surge, again started by a single individual, sweep the attackers back.<br>
<br>
This is the risk of a emotional surge versus a coordinated charge. If enough people don't participate in the surge then it can disolve. In any case the location of the no-mans-land is indeed momentarlity pushed forward. But if it is not consolidated by the group that surged then the opponents will counter-surge and no net progress is made. For one side to progress it is important it follow-up and fill the gap.<br>
<br>
How do these "tribal warfare" observations apply to ancient battles? Any comments? My own comment/question is the following: In massive ancient battles was there not too little room (any at all?) for a defending side to disperse into so to dilute the oncoming surge? <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=goffredo>goffredo</A> at: 8/27/04 1:05 pm<br></i>
Jeffery Wyss
"Si vos es non secui of solutio tunc vos es secui of preciptate."
"Si vos es non secui of solutio tunc vos es secui of preciptate."
