Nunchucks: Cool, but, Useless?

     We have all seen them in the cartoons, the movies, and in the demonstrations of various martial arts weaponry, but how reliable and effective is the nunchuck as a weapon? Is it cool, but useless?
     The nunchaku, or nunchuck, is said to have its origins based in China, and then carried over to the Okinawa Islands in Japan. Some claim it started out as a rice flail for farming, while others claim that that it was a concealed weapon used by farmers (and others) who were forbidden from laying hands on common weaponry. There really is not a definitive origin available to us now. However, what we do know is that the popularity of nunchucks took off in the martial arts film world, and a lot of that is owed to Bruce Lee. His poetic, yet clearly choreographed, use of this ancient two section staff made it quite popular in film, and may have influenced its further use in film and martial arts dojos.
   My only quarrel with this weapon is its counterintuitive nature that doesn't appear to be shown on the silver screen. When choreographed properly, this weapon appears to have no setbacks. In contrast, when someone who is not well versed in nunchucks picks up a pair and begins to flail them around, a revelation takes place. This revelation usually sets in when they are rolled up on the ground in a fetal position grabbing a very sensitive area. Very few weapons have the ability to swing back on you while wielding them. A sword does not do a 360 spin against your will and slice your nose off. A staff does not go limp in the middle and backlash against your knee cap.
   This weapon appears to be similar to the fighting style known as Capoeira. It looks quite beautiful when utilized properly, but turns out to be useless in a fight. Could this be the reason why Michelangelo of the Ninja Turtles was given this weapon? He was the slacker wiss-ass with the smallest brain; however, he was also the only one in there for comic relief. The Turtles would have no humour if he died in combat. Did Splinter realize that comic relief does not win battles, and so he gave Michelangelo a weapon which is used to deter enemies before a fight, without actually having to use it? If I saw an experienced individual wielding the nunchucks, I would back off (no matter how low their IQ).
     Unfortunately for the ancient weapon, the cat may be out of the bag. It would appear that nunchucks do not serve any real purpose in a fight, unless they're being wielded by Bruce Lee. If people had a choice between a a pair of swords, a staff, a pair of sai, or a pair of nunchucks, I bet my bottom dollar that the only people who pick the nunchucks are the small group of "special" individuals like Michelangelo.