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Survivng Torture

I once heard of a man that was constantly tortured by the Nazis and he developed a unique way to deal with it. One day when they went through one of their 'routeins' which involved using electricity on his privates he thought to himself, 'They can attack my body, but not my mind' and he effectually 'turned-off' from what he was going through.

I wonder if this is possible? Is it really possible to deal with torture?

Torture Survivng

Well, during "hell-week" US Navy seals go through pain, exhaustion, hunger, freezing and all kinds of ware and tare for a whole week. Few of them last to the end, but those that do say that it came to a point where they were able to "disconnect" from the pain by sheer force of will. They say that without this newly acquired ability, they would have broken.

But when facing extreme pain from torture, I don't think it's that easy to just "slip away". I remember a TV documentary about espionage where a CIA agent said that no man can ever hold out torture if it's done right. KGB torurers not only have the ability to locate the most sensitive nervespots, but also operate with drugs that heightens the pain and prevents blackouts. I find it unlikely that anyone could fight that kind of treatment for long.

Some people may be able to resist severe beatings, but if you gave me a knife and a blowtorch I bet I could make almost anyone talk.


Corvus

Survivng Torture History & Civil Business Politics

I hate pain and discomfort. I am sure most people do. I can't imagine surviving torture. I think I have a high tolerance for pain, but I still can't imagine fighting the pain when I am aware that all I have to do is talk and the pain will go away. I understand all about military code of honor, etc., but I still can't imagine being successful in fighting it.

Torture Survivng

I am wondering what part of the brain causes you to register pain? I do not know if this is fiction or not, but is it possible to numb or disconnect all sense of pain so that you could not feel anything? I guess that would be extreme since essentially you could cut yourself and not even know you are bleeding.

Torture Survivng

I believe there is a disorder some are born with where they can't sense pain. It is a dangerous disorder because they can't tell they have hurt themselves. You can easily burn yourself and not feel the pain, then suffer an infection. This is also true for cuts and scratches. Also, you could pull a muscle or sprain an ankle, not realize it and keep using the injured limb. This will then lead to more serious injury. So, in general, pain is a good thing. It tells us when a part of our body needs attention. However, as you say JB, it would be good if one could turn it off when facing severe trauma. I have heard it is possible, but takes much study and focus to learn.

Survivng Torture

I know the chinese people are known for that, they said it is possible if you know how to control your mind, I don't think I can personally survive it but I do think it is possible for people who have master self-control to such extent that pain is no longer an issue.

Survivng Torture

I read somewhere that there is a fine line with torture techniques... that the torturer has to know how much pain to inflict, without inflicting so much damage that the victim gives up his life rather than continue to be tortured. That somehow there is a connectivity between the body and the brain, and the mind will know when there is too much damage to deal with and just "give up the ghost."

From the same source, concentrating on what you WILL say rather than what you WON'T say makes a big difference.

Now, could I survive it? Could I turn off that part of my brain? I'm not sure. On the other hand, how could I live with myself after giving up secrets that may mean life or death to others? There was a recent movie about that ... Murphy's War?? Bruce Willis is in it. Not that great of a movie, but the message was very somber.

Roz

Survivng Torture Politics Business Civil & History

Very interesting though FarSeer about living with yourself after giving in to torture. I think, in general, people don't look down on others who give up information due to torture. At least not in the same manner they do when a person gives up information so that they can get special treatment.

I, too, wonder if I would be able to withstand it.