^^ Exactly...there are in fact times when you may want to go diving into a tough situation...I would say there's a time and place for both, and it really depends what kind of mood your in...strategic, or aggressive.
If I'm in the mood to mix it up, I kind of go Latrobe...I up a bird that I know intimately (in my case an FM2) and I will aggressively charge a group of cons. Once engaged I will basically maneuver like a butterfly on acid. Because the FM2 turns amazingly at slow speed and is almost impossible to stall out, I know exactly what I can get away with, so it's much easier for me to fly on the edge. This works really well against high performance planes who think you're going to be easy meat...they'll come barreling in on me and try to pick me, but since I have my views set optimally, I can see them coming and turn away. If they try to mix it up with me, well, they're dead. If they BnZ, I just keep avoiding their shots until they get bored and make a mistake, or until I die.
Interestingly enough, the principle of energy is still in play. My goal is to get the high performance guys to burn off energy trying to nail me. I try to get them to commit to sharp turns...flat turns will slow them down, sharp loops will burn off their alt, until they commit to a low, slow turnfight which in most circumstances I can win. The trick is to keep your head on a swivel and don't commit to an attack unless you can get them in a single turn. You can't afford to dog another plane for too long because you know his buddies will be angling for a shot.
Flying this way is a lot of fun, but be aware, you will get shot down A LOT.