Should We Bring Back Duelling?

A guy got stabbed after a fight broke out in a nightclub I was at last night and it got me thinking: Should we bring back formal duelling?

The way I see it is that young Hot-Blooded males are going to stab and shoot each other from time to time. It's just a fact of nature. Men need satisfaction. So why not have people settle their differences in a safe controlled environment with a set rigorously followed code of conduct rather then have it spill over drunkenly in the pubs and clubs? Surely it is better for all a involved to have a biker throw down the glove then pick up a chair?

hashtagsarestupid

No.

I don't see this making a hell of a lot of difference. Impulsive fights would still happen.

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I wouldn't mind. Might make people a little more polite.

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~

I could stab somebody, kill them and just claim "he lost a duel."

Gangs of people could force people into a duel they do not want.

How would we govern these things? I'm all up for stabbing bitches, but we need STRUCTURE so it doesn't become a criminally abusable practice.

Troper Page

I think so, yes. There should be options for non-lethal and lethal duels. They should all be formal and in public, so people can watch for entertainment.

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.

I think it would make people more polite. Plus we'd have an increased market for concealable body armor and dueling weapons, which might help our economy recover.

...

On second thought, let's not.

Happiness is zero-gee with a sinus cold.

And now that I think about it, this wouldn't be a very good practice in america, where Moral Guardians/Middle America can decide what the government does, instead of vice versa.

Troper Page

I remember we briefly learned about duels in pre-revolutionary France in history class. They were banned because they were basically a legal way to murder people, and they led to some pretty horrific feuds. You know, revenge killings and suchlike.

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I'm with you lucius and pvtnum 11. Today's youth treat getting a hit in as if it is consequence free. Throw at punch back in the day and you know that it means that some one is going to get cut.

edited 29th Jan '11 11:28:21 PM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

Yeah, it could be abused. But I figure if someone could legally cut you for calling his wife a filthy name, you'd either learn to use a blade or shut the hell up. I pretty much espouse my opinion on the matter here.

Don't expect anyone to agree, but I can't find fault with the idea of structured violence to settle a dispute in principle.

Its far too easy for people to get away with being assholes in this world as it is, and such is only getting easier.

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~

How would this apply to insults levied by anonymous commenters on the internet?

Your writings have as always expressed a noble sentiment my good man. Although I must confess that I sided with your wife in that the threat of legal force was perhaps a tad excessive on your part in the use ejecting your guest. Surly the promise of a severe thrashing would been adequate?

edited 29th Jan '11 11:46:54 PM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

As interesting as it would be the answer is no. Too many idiots.

Who watches the watchmen?

Worse yet, too many strong idiots.

I'm feeling strangely happy now, contented and serene. Oh don't you see, finally I'll be, somewhere that's green...

Hang on, had a thought. Suppose some headcase challenges you to a duel for a bullshit reason, and you refuse. What happens then? They just fuck off and that's that?

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@Tuefel/OOZE: Okay, so toughen up and give the strong idiots a taste of their own medicine, or back down whenever they make an assertion. More of a reason to hit the gym, I'd say.

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~

I'll got It! Bring back champions. That will create new jobs as well.

edited 29th Jan '11 11:55:37 PM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

@Bobby: If I remember right, people had the option of refusing a challenge, and got no stigma for it if said challenge was spurious. It was only when they'd "started shit" and then refused the other party's challenge that they were branded as a coward.

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~

You remember rightly? You weren't there at the time by any chance scrib? If you're an immortal you can tells us.

edited 30th Jan '11 12:02:15 AM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

My point was more that I can't imagine such a person would go "Oh, sorry buddy, misunderstanding". If they want a scrap, they'll start one, whether or not you agree.

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@Joey: I meant from reading history books. Ever done that?

@Bobby: That's true enough now. It may as well have some legal structure other than "get in fight, go to jail".

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~

Aye, I mean I don't see how it would be a change for the better. People like that would still start shit, and they'd have a legal excuse for doing so.

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I'll read of history books yes.

edited 30th Jan '11 12:32:32 AM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

As much as I'm all for those people who cross the Asshole Line getting stabbed, it'd likely be a bad idea unless there was some place in each city specifically for duels and duels could only be fought under the watch of some type of dueling law enforcement.

I took fencing for a while and I know some hand to hand, I wouldn't mind this if it was actually structured and supervised.

Like a particular place where people go to duel which has rules and refs, and make the majority of them non-lethal duels where they just beat the shit out of eachother.. Then televise them for income.