Why we've given up on violence

... And it's not because we smoke too much marijuana and decided to make love not war.

But because accidentally brushing hard surfaces with our palms brings tears into our eyes and makes us squirm while others helplessly watch and think "Dude, it's just a harmless brushing ..."

Or accidentally bumping into somebody on the street or having somebody step on your toes. Or, god forbid, have somebody really shake your hand (seriously what's with people and death grips?)

And you can't really hold heavy stuff with your left hand (your elbow hurts from that massive fall you took - also the last moment in your bouldering history when you were brave) nor can you wash the dishes (rough skin on your fingers will peel) or hurl wet dishes at somebody.

And the thought of raising your hand and forming a fist makes you realize that you have to bend that elbow and flex that biceps, and if you've been climbing too hard or too weird last night you will know that a) your elbow hurts and b) you can't flex your biceps because it's momentarily on a vacation sipping pina coladas by the pool and icing itself.

And you can't really shout at somebody because last night you took a 2 meter plastering fall on the hard mattress that even your superhuman ang moh friend can't catch and momentarily your lung is still peeling itself from its ribcage.

Have we been climbing for too long? Or are we just getting older?