31–40 of 51 posts
If I were to guess, my guess would be that preparation could make a big difference. Experience being alone. Experience with darkness/blindness. Good meditation "shape." I'd take this bet.
Wouldn't it atrophy your ability to see? Like, the brain getting anomalous, low-signal data for such a long time?
After reading about solitary confinement I wanted to test myself by staying in the bathroom in my finished basement for a weekend. I'd have sunlight through a small window, a toilet, sink, and would have my wife bring me meals 2-3 times a day. I figured this was pretty similar to real solitary confinement with the main differences being I'd be sleeping on the floor and could leave at any time. Unfortunately she refus…
After reading about solitary confinement I wanted to test myself by staying in the bathroom in my finished basement for a weekend. I'd have sunlight through a small window, a toilet, sink, and would have my wife bring me meals 2-3 times a day. I figured this was pretty similar to real solitary confinement with the main differences being I'd be sleeping on the floor and could leave at any time. Unfortunately she refus…
The truth is, spending a couple of days without hearing anyone's voice makes you feel out of place and depressed quite quickly, even though I don't mind being alone usually.
If I were to guess, my guess would be that preparation could make a big difference. Experience being alone. Experience with darkness/blindness. Good meditation "shape." I'd take this bet.
For a $100k paycheck, I'd very quickly find a 30 day opening in my schedule. A month long retreat sounds pretty nice, actually. Preparation is definitely key to this challenge, though. You also weigh the possibility of damage to your psyche with this challenge, and there is a high likelihood of permanent changes to your personality. Then again, the sudden acquisition of $100k could also do damage/change.
I once went on a tour through a lava tunnel in Iceland. Part of the tour was where the guide dimmed all the lights. The feeling of total darkness was quite strange. The guide said that if we would stay in this darkness for a month our eye muscles would atrophy and we would become blind. I would expect Alati to at least feel a little physical effect from his stay in darkness.
It almost seems like a sign that something is wrong on a species wide scale when we need to constantly distract ourselves from our own thoughts to prevent being driven mad.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
For a $100k paycheck, I'd very quickly find a 30 day opening in my schedule. A month long retreat sounds pretty nice, actually. Preparation is definitely key to this challenge, though. You also weigh the possibility of damage to your psyche with this challenge, and there is a high likelihood of permanent changes to your personality. Then again, the sudden acquisition of $100k could also do damage/change.
I would take that bet in almost all cases. The only people I would consider even remotely able to accomplish 30 days in solitary darkness would be someone who has thoroughly prepared and practiced for decades.
What fascinates me about stuff like this is how troubling our own inner thoughts can be when we're left alone with them. In this case Alati talked about the importance of controlling his thoughts and preventing himself from spiraling into negativity. It's amazing how our own thoughts can take a toll on us and drive us insane when we're left alone with them with nothing to distract us. It makes me wonder how much they…
