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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jack7" data-source="post: 5653100" data-attributes="member: 54707">I think, that in modern times anyways, the  suit versus costume debate is an interesting one. I will say this, in a loose,  slang sense they can be the same, but I agree with DB's definition of suit for  the most part. And think he added a good point by his post. With the following  caveats. Modern counter-terrorism warfare often involves Special Forces and  others operating "out of uniform" so as to blend into the local population  (at least from a distance), and I know for a fact that many Special Forces,  and forces prosecuting asymmetrical warfare carry and supplement their  equipment, suits, and uniforms in highly individualistic ways.    That's nothing new in history, but it does  sometimes practically erase the difference between suit, uniform, and in some  senses, the costume. Because an undercover agent or Special Forces, or even a  regular soldier may don a local "costume" to either supplement his uniform or to  create a unique operating suit or set of clothes and equipment. And that's not  even addressing camouflage, terrain or urban, insignia loss or concealment, and  other related functions.   So whereas as a explanatory matter I agree  with DB's definition, the costume, uniform, and suit debate is open to me as a  practical, in-the-field matter.   For my purposes, concerning what I meant  above, I'll use the following definitions. You don't have to follow them, and as  I said the whole debate is kinda fluid to me, but this is what I had meant in  the "superhero" context.   1. Costume - any set of clothes that is worn  more for show or for purposes of identification of an idea (such as, "I'm a  Superhero") or an individual ("I am Megaman") than for functional purposes.  Costumes are often dangerous too, if they include things like easily  identifiable symbols (that gang members can track back to an individual) or  showy components, like bright colors (meaning you are easily spotted, though  that might have certain advantages in certain environments too), or unnecessary  components like capes (which easily catch fire, or can catch on debris, or can  be used by an opponent in a combat to the wearer's disadvantage). Costumes  are, in most environments unnecessary and dangerous and non-functional, though  in some circumstances, such as "disguise costumes" they are very useful, and  have the opposite effects. But what I was mainly speaking about was the "showy,  non-functional, 'look at me' type of costume."   2. Suit - a suit is a special type of uniform  or blend of uniform, devices, materials, and equipment, and clothing which is  specifically designed to give the wearer certain advantages. A suit can be, in  this case, the suit of either an individual, and therefore totally unique in  some ways (a Vigilante suit) or the highly modified and individualized uniform  of a Special Forces soldier or agent which is both functional, and in some ways  a kind of disguise to blend into the background of the area in which he  operates. A suit can even be designed to add to or enhance human functions, or  even to replace them.   3. Uniform - a set of clothing, equipment,  gear, and insignias which identify one as a member of a particular established  organization, order, or agency. A uniform has to be recognizable to other  members of the organization, and generally, such as a military or police  uniform, recognizable to the public at large so that everyone understands what  the uniform represents.     Personally I have Vigilante Suits, and I have  Uniforms (such as for CAP or law enforcement or SAR work), and I have emergency  responder Uniforms and gear, such as for CERT and for responding to disasters,  and I also have "Disguise Kits and Costumes" for undercover work. But I have no  "hero or superhero costumes" because I consider such things counter-productive  and even kinda crazy, especially in dangerous environments and situations.  (Though I can imagine a costume which is also really a suit which could be  useful.)   That's my take on it, in this  context.    Anyway I hope more citizens and individuals  will consider thinking about becoming Vigilantes (in the old sense of the term,  a Vigilant - as the Romans would say, or a Militiaman - as early and frontiers  Americans would say) and be helpful to their own community or surrounding world.  But as I said it is something I think should be approached professionally, not  sporadically or haphazardly.   I grew up with Vigilantes. My great uncle was  a volunteer sheriff's deputy (he did that entirely at his own expense, except  that the police issued his firearm and uniform and some of his training), many  of my uncles were volunteer firemen and rescue squad workers, etc. My father was  draft military, but later in life ran the local volunteer fire department. But  all of my vigilante relatives and their friends learned many things from their  experiences, such as fire suppression, law enforcement, survival and military  skills, disaster response, rescue work, crime suppression, etc. which they all  did on their own time and at their own expense.   I am speaking of a slightly different kind of  Vigilante though, one who both operates alone, and one who operates under the  sanction of a group, like they did. I do both. Occasionally I'll work for law  enforcement or the military, or with them. I'll also work on my own Vigilante  Projects in my home community. I'll work cold case son my own. I'll patrol as  part of a group, and patrol alone. Though I have less time for activities  like this now, and there are some things I can no longer do well because of age,  and some things my wife and kids don't often allow me to do anymore (they  complain of the danger).   But I think anyone who truly wants to do this  kind of thing, properly trained and equipped and prepared, can improve their  local community and have a great many very satisfying and gratifying real  life experiences and adventures on a voluntary basis. And personally I don't  think it is nearly as rare as some might think. Or at least it didn't use to be.  I grew up surrounded by vigilantes. They are probably why I became  one.    So if you wanna be one then get trained,  study, practice, get associated with a good organization, learn good techniques,  and use your skills and capabilities to help out and do what you can to improve  the world. You don't have to be a superhero, you just have to try and make best  use of who you are to better what you can. I think it's a good and beneficial  and rewarding way for people to spend their time.    I think it's something people should consider and I'm glad Kzach brought the subject up.</blockquote>

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