Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
I would wager a considerable sum that your husband is at least a standard deviation smarter than the typical gangbanger on the violent end, for one.
But more to the point, gang violence is a memetic thing. These are dumb teenage boys with few opportunities and limited social support taken in by crime syndicates, whose training in violence begins and ends with ‘put the bullet in this end, point that end at the person we told you to kill’. They’re engaging in violence to prove themselves, not to accomplish an objective, because that’s the psychology of a teenage boy looking for belonging. Of course they’ll choose flashy, cool looking tactics they’ve seen on tv or heard reference to in a rap song, over much better tactics that look a lot more boring.
I mean, first off, it’s TV. Bigger, better organized Gangs in real life(cartels etc) have a combat edge over street randos, but usually to the level of, like, militias or security guards and not to the level of soldiers. But gangbanger violence films well, so that’s what they run with.
Second, gang war isn’t really like modern state-on-state war, it’s like pre-state tribal feuding which centers around raiding and reputational fluff to drive non-members out of a territory. Infantry tactics might be an edge, but not as big a one as you’d think- having a fearsome reputation in the criminal underworld is a lot easier(cheaper too) and comes from rule of cool compared to maintaining actual soldiers. Of course it’s less safe, but violent criminals are a lot less risk averse than the general population and street trash are the ones actually risking their lives here.
Plus, bosses might have an edge over the thugs, but we’re still not talking about geniuses here. These guys don’t know enough to create substantially better tactics, and they’re not smart enough to figure it out on their own. So they stick with what works- being seen to have the loyalty of brave and violent underlings. Sniping off a roof with a pawn shop deer rifle is easy and cheap, but it’s not visually flashy enough to make a reputation.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link