Wellington Grey has published a seminal report discussing a topic of much importance to recent memes: Pirates Vs. Ninjas.
Grey looks not only at weapons and fighting characteristics, but at environmental concerns and challenges faced by each groups.
Simple Harmonic Motion favors pirates: Fighting on a ship requires the combatants to move with the oscillations of the ship. Pirates would have a natural advantage in this environment.
Grey also looks at the influence of the FSM, Himself.
I recommend that anyone interested in a attaining a greater understanding of the issue take a look at the report.
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