posted
While I also agree with some of the criticism, it is still a powerful indication of how easy it is to fall into a role of abuser.
A real life situation is in a way even more volatile, as real values are at stake and the people you are watching are your "real enemy", but on the other hand, a working system is usually in place to "watch the watchmen". Also, real life does not have the safety net of "it's just an experiment", so in a real situation, people may tend to be more careful. Much of the criticism also focus on the fact that it's not a real prison with real guards, but that's more or less the situation we are looking at today in the prisons of Iraq.
It's difficult to draw any precise conclusions, but I think it's clear which direction we're looking in: the scary direction.
-------------------- /Troberg Posts: 4360 | From: Borlänge, Sweden | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Troberg: While I also agree with some of the criticism, it is still a powerful indication of how easy it is to fall into a role of abuser.
I think there are plenty of other documented incidents on which to base those conclusions, rather than a flawed experiment.
Posts: 4922 | From: Kyoto, Japan | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Guarding prisoners (military or not) is very different than an 18 year old infantryman going by his training to deal with the horrid situation of war.
Should soldiers be trained to deal with prisoners (POWs)? Yes. Were those soldiers that took those pictures mocking and abusing Iraqi soldiers wrong? Yes.
But taking prisoners out of the situation, when it comes down to a guy in the desert (or the jungle, or in a tank) seeing the enemy approach, I hope he kills before thinking. Do I want a soldier to just randomly shoot citizens that pose no threat...NO. But to shoot without thinking or analyzing is important in combat situations. You follow orders. You don't question the orders. If you do, you could be dead.
-------------------- Dr.Cox: I don't know if they taught you this in the land of fairies and puppy dog tails where you obviously, if not grew up, then at least spent most of your summers, but you're in the real world now! M'kay? Posts: 42 | From: N. Carolina | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Princessa: But taking prisoners out of the situation, when it comes down to a guy in the desert (or the jungle, or in a tank) seeing the enemy approach, I hope he kills before thinking.
That sounds like a recipe for a lot of friendly fire casualties. Even basic training involves some thinking.
Posts: 4922 | From: Kyoto, Japan | Registered: Sep 2005
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