Ninja or Alarm System?
The definition of a Japanese Ninja lies somewhere along the lines of a covert agent or mercenary specializing in the arts of war. The origin of the ninja is not nailed down yet, but we do know they were around at least from the 14th century. Valued for their unorthodox methods of espionage and assassination, ninja were usually recruited from the lower classes. They were trained to be invisible and very secretive about their actions. Their main intent, aside from the actual assignment, was to ensure the target was not aware of the existence of the ninja. If this was betrayed, it meant failure and shame.
Before electricity, home alarm systems were people with weapons standing guard around the building in question. Obviously the potential for betrayal or disinterest was a large problem. Nothing is fool-proof, however trusting a hired stranger to guard your home in a time when loyalty was unheard of, was just an invitation to trouble. Defining the modern ‘alarm system’ is simple. It is an electronic device designed to alert the user to danger or an intruder.
The main advantage of a modern day alarm system in comparison to a ninja, is that it is not human. Devices such as these can easily be calibrated, moved and replaced without the hassle of human rights. The system will be alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year without having to pay overtime or give meal breaks. If there is a power outage, the system diverts to a battery back up. Should a fire start in the home, the alarm will go off and the alarm company will dispatch the fire department for you. The system itself is fairly obvious if you know what to look for. Motion sensors mounted in the upper corners of walls are easy to spot. There will be a control panel located somewhere near the main entrance to the home. Doors and windows may have sensors on the inside frames. Invariably you will find stickers on each window indicating the home is alarmed, and possibly a lawn sign or two.
Most ninjutsu training revolved around ways to avoid detection. This is the primary benefit of having a ninja safeguard your home. Ninja were trained in the ancient practice of Tanuki-gakure; the ability to camouflage oneself within the foliage of a tree. Imagine the potential! A naughty trespasser creeps over to a window of the house, begins to pry it open and out of a tree pops your ninja! Within seconds the burglar is immobilized (but alive) and your home is safe. Even more impressive is the practice of Ukigusa-gakure; the ability of curling into a ball and remaining motionless in order to appear like a stone. Pesky neighbors who allow their dogs to relieve themselves on your lawn will never do so again when the ‘rock’ in your yard comes to life and immobilizes the dog (gently). It is believed in Japan that ninja had supernatural powers that allowed them to have control over the five classical elements: earth, fire, wind, water and sky. Therefore it is believable that if a fire started in or around your home, your ninja could detect its origin and put it out before an alarm system had even sounded. If your hot water tank malfunctioned and began to flood your basement, your ninja could use his powers to detect the problem and command the water back into the tank.
The parameters of an alarm system are very clear, in fact they are in black and white on the contract you will sign when you make your purchase. It will not prevent neighbors animals from using your lawn as a toilet and it will not put out a fire. However a ninja has no parameters. If Girl Guides come to the house to sell you cookies, will the ninja immobilize them? If your kids have a backyard water fight will the ninja command the water to return from whence it came?
When you are making the decision between an alarm system and a ninja to protect your home and family, consider all the variables. Take into account your budget, your needs, your neighborhood and of course how good your lawyer is. If you have a good lawyer, go with the ninja.
An Alarm.com system is much more than an alarm. In addition to forwarding any home security systems to the monitoring center for emergency response, Alarm.com lets you remotely monitor non-alarm activity at the property around the clock, even when the system is disarmed. Fully customizable settings ensure you get exactly the information you want, only when you want it.
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