[peatmoss]

Absolutely. I think that any martial art claiming to offer reliable protection from weapons is comical. The only good way to survive a knife fight is to not get in a knife fight.

Want my wallet? With my complements! Cell phone? I'll unlock it for you! Would you also like me to loosen my bowels as a show of respect? You got it!

I am glad to be training in a dojo that is realistic about what martial arts do and do not teach. I feel like there's so much value to aikido (and other martial arts!) training for people who understand this.

We've had people walk through our dojo door who are clearly wrapped around the axle of self-defense. I recommend those people take a self-defense course. In other words, find the style of martial art that shares your threat model.

My threat model is that I'll get old and flabby and die of social isolation and heart disease. Being in my late 30s now, I can't imagine another art being as good at helping me address that threat model.