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That could be. I am even pondering a self-experiment where I'd spend some time in complete isolation. But I don't think I have the guts to do it without an opti

That could be. I am even pondering a self-experiment where I'd spend some time in complete isolation. But I don't think I have the guts to do it without an option to abort at any moment. And the very presence of such option would probably make the experience very different to that of a prisoner.

clort 10y ago
I have sailed across the Atlantic, alone, in a small (9.3m) yacht. 29 days alone with nothing much to see except what is close by (the sea, is.. unchanging, but ever changing). The solitude did not bother me though others have said it would bother them, but then I was more or less in control of my destiny. I had no option to abort (technically, I guess I could have called a ship on the radio and claimed an emergency). My food and water ration was limited but under my own control. I did speak to other vessels on the radio now and again (every few days) which may be comparable to shouting down the toilet at your neighbours. I don't think it would be in any way similar to being in solitary confinement in a prison. I don't really know if I would manage OK in solitary or not. On the face of it, it sounds like nothing much.. but there are a whole lot of other things relating to the environment and the people who end up there that would be relevant and which just don't apply to me.
- petra 10y ago
  Also, being in nature is a deep and positive experience, so it might compensate for loneliness.
  - clort 10y ago
    Personally, I don't find loneliness a serious problem and I think that is behind a lot of folks idea that solitary confinement wouldn't really be a problem. On my voyage, I was marking the chart with my daily position and could see the distance to destination getting smaller, which gives me a measure of control, of marking the difference between the days. Those in solitary are just waiting - even if they end up getting out after a month, they have no way of knowing that will happen. Well, in Europe perhaps they do since largely there are finite limits - and where those limits are exceeded, I would hope the treatment is not as the folk in the article claimed they had been treated. Even for Breivik we can treat him humanely even if we cannot let him out.

clort 10y ago

I have sailed across the Atlantic, alone, in a small (9.3m) yacht. 29 days alone with nothing much to see except what is close by (the sea, is.. unchanging, but ever changing). The solitude did not bother me though others have said it would bother them, but then I was more or less in control of my destiny. I had no option to abort (technically, I guess I could have called a ship on the radio and claimed an emergency). My food and water ration was limited but under my own control. I did speak to other vessels on the radio now and again (every few days) which may be comparable to shouting down the toilet at your neighbours. I don't think it would be in any way similar to being in solitary confinement in a prison. I don't really know if I would manage OK in solitary or not. On the face of it, it sounds like nothing much.. but there are a whole lot of other things relating to the environment and the people who end up there that would be relevant and which just don't apply to me.

petra 10y ago
Also, being in nature is a deep and positive experience, so it might compensate for loneliness.
- clort 10y ago
  Personally, I don't find loneliness a serious problem and I think that is behind a lot of folks idea that solitary confinement wouldn't really be a problem. On my voyage, I was marking the chart with my daily position and could see the distance to destination getting smaller, which gives me a measure of control, of marking the difference between the days. Those in solitary are just waiting - even if they end up getting out after a month, they have no way of knowing that will happen. Well, in Europe perhaps they do since largely there are finite limits - and where those limits are exceeded, I would hope the treatment is not as the folk in the article claimed they had been treated. Even for Breivik we can treat him humanely even if we cannot let him out.