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#1 Dec 20 2011 at 7:58 AM Rating: Good
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In his book Less Than Human: The Psychology of Cruelty, David Livingston Smith explores how people, through dehumanization, come to be able to torture, kill and dismember other people - not just the psychopaths of the world, but the soldiers and leaders throughout history that have systematically set out to remove or subdue a group of people in the name of politics, race, religion, etc.

Has anyone ever purposely killed another person (and willing to share)?

If so, how did you come to terms with it?

Anyone read this book?

There's an interview with the author on maine public radio this afternoon at 12:15 - they stream live. I'm gonna try and listen.




Edited, Dec 20th 2011 3:02pm by Elinda
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#2 Dec 20 2011 at 8:06 AM Rating: Excellent
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No, never killed anyone (and don't plan to), but I'm familiar with the concept. Wartime propaganda works on this principle all the time, sometimes very overtly and often quite subtly.

One of the most effective techniques is to take a real example of something a government did or sanctioned, and extrapolate that to the population at large. Thus, all Iraqis are heartless torturers, all Afghani men hate and mistreat women, etc.

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#3 Dec 20 2011 at 8:35 AM Rating: Excellent
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Had this discussion with my parents last night, actually. My dad's a Vietnam vet, and he talked about how very few people are willing to pull the trigger and be responsible for taking a life. A major goal of the Army training was to make soldiers not see the enemy as human, but as "the enemy." It probably helps to save their lives in war, but it's still chilling.

I find that a similar effect has been happening in civilian life recent times. While I think a lot of (for example) white people would have issues shooting another white person, I don't think they would have nearly as much of an issue with shooting someone dressed in traditional Muslim garb. It's probably a combination of seeing them as "others" and being oriented to think of people from the Middle East as less than human.
#4 Dec 20 2011 at 8:46 AM Rating: Excellent
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Elinda wrote:
If so, how did you come to terms with it?
Telling myself that if I don't, a lot more people would be endangered. Not that it helps me sleep any.
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#5 Dec 20 2011 at 8:54 AM Rating: Excellent
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lolgaxe wrote:
Elinda wrote:
If so, how did you come to terms with it?
Telling myself that if I don't, a lot more people would be endangered. Not that it helps me sleep any.



For what it's worth, that might even be true.

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#6 Dec 20 2011 at 8:58 AM Rating: Good
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Samira wrote:
lolgaxe wrote:
Elinda wrote:
If so, how did you come to terms with it?
Telling myself that if I don't, a lot more people would be endangered. Not that it helps me sleep any.



For what it's worth, that might even be true.


It's true.
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#7 Dec 20 2011 at 8:59 AM Rating: Excellent
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When I was home during the break in a couple years back, I came to the realization that had the would be robber tried anything at all while I had him at knifepoint, I would have killed him. I wouldn't have enjoyed it, and it would have haunted me forever, but I also wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest if he had tried for the knife or to come at me. Alot of it was adrenaline and the situation at hand, surely, but knowing what you would do if placed in a situation isn't necessarily better than speculating about what you might do.
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#8 Dec 20 2011 at 9:01 AM Rating: Good
I can't bring myself to kill a squirrel. I don't know how I'd behave if I was threatened.
#9REDACTED, Posted: Dec 20 2011 at 9:10 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Did Elinda just ask if anyone has ever killed anyone? Really? Democrat voters at their best.
#10 Dec 20 2011 at 9:13 AM Rating: Excellent
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Duke Lubriderm wrote:
I can't bring myself to kill a squirrel. I don't know how I'd behave if I was threatened.



Don't worry too much about it. Unless it's rabid, a squirrel can't hurt you too much. /comfort

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#11 Dec 20 2011 at 9:15 AM Rating: Good
Samira wrote:
Duke Lubriderm wrote:
I can't bring myself to kill a squirrel. I don't know how I'd behave if I was threatened.



Don't worry too much about it. Unless it's rabid, a squirrel can't hurt you too much. /comfort


Until one becomes "trapped" in your home. Then it's all hands on deck.
#12 Dec 20 2011 at 9:19 AM Rating: Good
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I've had bats and birds in my house, but never had a squirrel.
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#13 Dec 20 2011 at 9:26 AM Rating: Excellent
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If I was a squirrel, I'd totally go into Lub's house and fuck his **** all up. I'd be all "Go get me some more beer nuts, *****, so I can bury them in your couch. Also, your PS3 doesn't seem to work any more. Probably because I chewed all the wires. Fuck you."
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Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#14 Dec 20 2011 at 9:28 AM Rating: Excellent
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BrownDuck wrote:
Until one becomes "trapped" in your home. Then it's all hands on deck.
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#15 Dec 20 2011 at 9:31 AM Rating: Good
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varusword75 wrote:
Did Elinda just ask if anyone has ever killed anyone? Really? Democrat voters at their best.

lol


I don't always vote democrat.

You know what else, not everything in life, the universe or the assylum is politically driven.

Another question:

If you were presented with immunity and opportunity, do you think you could 'off' Varus?





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#16 Dec 20 2011 at 9:33 AM Rating: Good
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Duke Lubriderm wrote:
I can't bring myself to kill a squirrel. I don't know how I'd behave if I was threatened.

Listen to it's ramblings, try and understand it's needs, nurture it, love it and accept it for what it is. Don't judge.
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#17REDACTED, Posted: Dec 20 2011 at 9:37 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Elinda,
#18 Dec 20 2011 at 9:38 AM Rating: Excellent
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Elinda wrote:
If you were presented with immunity and opportunity, do you think you could 'off' Varus?
Zero value target.
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I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.
#19 Dec 20 2011 at 9:40 AM Rating: Excellent
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Elinda wrote:
If you were presented with immunity and opportunity, do you think you could 'off' Varus?
What good would that do? There will always be stupid and ignorant people.
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#20 Dec 20 2011 at 9:49 AM Rating: Excellent
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Elinda wrote:
If you were presented with immunity and opportunity, do you think you could 'off' Varus?

Nah. The Republicans deserve him.
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Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
#21 Dec 20 2011 at 9:51 AM Rating: Excellent
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lolgaxe wrote:
Elinda wrote:
If you were presented with immunity and opportunity, do you think you could 'off' Varus?
Zero value target.


UglySasquatch wrote:
What good would that do? There will always be stupid and ignorant people.


Ah, the hive mind buzzes on. Smiley: laugh

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#22 Dec 20 2011 at 10:29 AM Rating: Excellent
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Oh that's not hive mind. Lolgaxe and I are actually the same person, just using 2 accounts. It's the only way to out post Joph without getting banned for spamming.
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An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come. Victor Hugo

#23 Dec 20 2011 at 10:30 AM Rating: Excellent
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I'd have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you pesky posters.
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#24 Dec 20 2011 at 10:55 AM Rating: Default
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lolgaxe wrote:
Elinda wrote:
If so, how did you come to terms with it?
Telling myself that if I don't, a lot more people would be endangered. Not that it helps me sleep any.


Fortunately I haven't been in that position and probably ever wont, but that would be my thought.
#25 Dec 20 2011 at 11:09 AM Rating: Excellent
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I've played a lot of Team Fortress 2 so I'm pretty sure that's prepared me. I'd be all "pew! pew! lol ur gay n00b lrn2ply".
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#26 Dec 20 2011 at 11:29 AM Rating: Decent
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I could do it if it was necessary, it would have to be a life threatening situation. I'm very cold and calculating when the pressure is on. I'd probably feel sick about it later though and it would haunt me for the rest of my life.
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