Oh my Science, this short story · 1:16pm Sep 29th, 2014
Escape from Spiderhead.
It's beatiful.
It's horrifying.
Just... Wow.
Slightly nsfw - explicitly references male and female anatomy, and sex (not described in detail, but it is described). Isn't in any way meant to arouse (GOD NO); it's a horrific story that I recommend to all. I won't provide a link because of this.
Disregarding the horrific implications of people working to create a drug that removes love, what is your opinion of this sort of system? If criminals could choose to go to a scientific research area instead of prison, in order to be test subjects for various drugs, would this be better than just having them go to jail?
I mean, on one hand there's a choice involved, and this allows some freedom on the part of the criminal.
On the other, this place sort of messes up what free will they have.
I honestly don't know what to think here. I'm leaning towards 'This place should not be an option; I wouldn't wish this on anyone else', but I'm having trouble thinking why I'm leaning towards this instead of 'Criminals should have a choice; this way they're being productive to society, and they're being responsible for their choice (assuming they've been fully informed).'
So, my blog readers (or more specifically, reader), what do you think? Could you perhaps help me sort out my mind?
EDIT: And yes, I'm aware that 'oh my science' is stupid. No, I don't find it any less hilarious.
I've not heard of the short story in question, but "'experimental subject' as a criminal sentence" is an idea I came up with independently a while ago and rather like. While there are likely significant tradeoffs in a system where prison is meant to reform, it would still have, I think, enough advantages to be a viable option. In a system where prison is meant to punish, I think that it's clearly a good idea (though the "clearly" appears to be dependent on my value system).