Pen vs Sword

I was talking with my sister today about the old high school debate question: Which is mightier, the pen or the sword? When I first was asked this (at the approximate age of 7) I exclaimed The sword of course! I mean, if I had a sword and you had a pen - I was interrupted by my questioner (a teen who had just learned about it that day) as he explained a few of the complexites of the issue. I eventually understood what he was getting at, but came away from it still feeling that swords were better.

In the succeeding years I learned (properly) the differences of the two, and what they stood for. I also learned (subconciously) that the correct (read: fashionable) answer to the question was The pen, of course! However, might that not be jumping to conclusions a little quickly? That the pen is immensely powerful no one contests, but should we hand it the victory so quickly just because it is the (metaphoric only) underdog? Now I'll admit straight off that I'm advancing my argument via the pen, so that's a couple of points on that side of the blackboard already. I am able to use this particular pen though only because I am not in opposition to any sword. If I was, and the sword was steadfast and ruthless enough, I would be disarmed in a matter of days or even minutes. It can happen. It does happen. And when a sword cannot snuff out a pen completely, it has a more insidious recourse. It can twist a pen. I'm aware that pens are perfectly capable of twisting all by themselves, but sometimes this is not the case. Think of the Chinese press (and indeed Google search site). Think of the old Soviet film industry. The pen is made to take it's place: a humble lackey of King Sword. Understand that I'm talking merely in pragmatic terms here. This has nothing to do with what is right or wrong, only what works. On those terms I wouldn't discount the sword so lightly as our high school teachers have. As so often happens, as I gain more understanding I am beginning to return to the wisdom of childhood: Swords are more than a match for any pen - and anyway (all metaphor aside) they're cool.