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Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

theguardian.com

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Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#41

Post by ALittleLight »

FlyMoreRockets wrote: post #30
netcan wrote: post #19

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 would do it if I could read (backlit Kindle in the dark) or use my computer. Otherwise, doesn't really seem worth it.

Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#43

Post by gringoDan »

This is fascinating. As a novice meditator, I lasted three days on a silent meditation retreat and it was perhaps the most psychologically taxing experience of my life. I can't imagine the mental strength this guy had and years of mental preparation necessary in order to make it through.

Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#45

Post by gshack »

southphillyman wrote: post #32

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…

Why did she refuse to participate ?

Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#46

Post by AtlasBarfed »

netcan wrote: post #19

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.

HackerNews anons will brag about being able to do this, but sensory deprivation for this is very dangerous. Most probably won't do make it, and there's risk of irreparable mental harm.

This might be daily mail junk, but... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-509648/Losin...

Two days shows effects. 30 days? For a novice? No way.

Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#47

Post by FlyMoreRockets »

ALittleLight wrote: post #41
FlyMoreRockets wrote: post #30

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 do it if I could read (backlit Kindle in the dark) or use my computer. Otherwise, doesn't really seem worth it.

Or even audiobooks/podcasts. But that would be too easy.

Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#48

Post by senectus1 »

AtlasBarfed wrote: post #46
netcan wrote: post #19

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.

HackerNews anons will brag about being able to do this, but sensory deprivation for this is very dangerous. Most probably won't do make it, and there's risk of irreparable mental harm. This might be daily mail junk, but... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-509648/Losin... Two days shows effects. 30 days? For a novice? No way.

dude.. he's simulating being blind for 30 days. he's going to make an easy 100k with no adverse after effects.

Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#49

Post by chupasaurus »

seibelj wrote: post #20
chupasaurus wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it doesn't, because it would deal irreversible damage for adults after 6 days of sleep deprivation.

One time I went through an extremely stressful period and didn’t sleep more than an hour a night for 7 days until a doctor had mercy and gave me lorazepam. My muscles and joints started to degrade

My record was 242 hours without sleep when I was 12, me and my best friend challenged who could last longer, ended up in a draw. Last 3 days were in slow zombie mod, I couldn't walk more than 20 meters without taking a break.

Re: Poker player bets $100k he can last 30 days in pitch black solitary confinement

#50

Post by ptah »

smileypete wrote: post #26
getpost wrote: post #24

Dark retreat is a traditional practice in Tibetan Buddhism and Bön[0]. The usual guidance is that a dark retreat should be done only when the meditator has attained stability in the Natural State. Not many Westerners are in this zone, but seem able to benefit nonetheless [1],[2]. There are mental health risks[3], as in any other meditation practice. One claim is that sustained darkness stimulates the production of en…

Reminds me of this recent post to HN, about the unexpected risks of long term meditation. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18792327

traditionally, there are separate practices for laymen/householders and monks/ascetics. it looks like translating to modern western society is losing the distinction and is causing problems
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