Thrusting yourself into chaos is wasteful.
Entropy is already the norm.
Every animal in the world reacts violently when attacked. A few can resist the impulse. And this has consequences.
“Counterattacks” can’t exist without someone first suffering an attack. They are mounted by a defender back toward the assault, a reaction not a decision. The attacker knows implicitly that you’re going to want to react. So not only did they get to choose the point of attack, they got to pick how and when they would absorb your reaction.
On top of this, receiving an attack is chaotic. Mounting a response immediately (most counterattacks are quick reactions) just increases chaos because the defender first has to turn away from what they were doing to survive the attack. Then they have to satisfy their limbic system by generating enough acceleration to strike back.
The implication is clear: show restraint upon being attacked.
That isn’t to say attacks should go unanswered. Infinite restraint is not required. But the proper response is one that you choose, an attack in its own right. One where you decide the when, where, and how you will respond.
Counterattacks are exhausting and thoughtless, all in the same movement. And in the moment after, you’ll realize that you never were in control.
Provenance
Revisions
04-08-2026: Initial post.