The Psychology of Internment – Part 1

Guest Author Uncategorized

In the past nineteen months, I have become deeply afraid. Because I think this nation is heading down the path of fascist totalitarianism so fast it’s almost unbelievably irretrievable.

abbott, that vainglorious little man, is only the front puppet.

Behind him are the forces of BIG energy (aka coal and oil), BIG Pharma (what is the TPP all about?), BIG guns (aka the Military-Industrial Complex, about which President Icingsugar warned us – well, that’s what I thought his name was 55 years ago), BIG whatever else you can think of . . .

Puffy’s piece is a timely reminder of the hell we are perpetrating, not only for others – for which we should be hauled before the International Court of Justice – but also the hell we are fomenting for ourselves.

You can’t do this stuff without enormous psychic damage to everyone.

Thank you, Puffy.

(Image Credit: How Stuff Works)

 

A discussion in two parts

Part One – The reader completes a task (please).

Australia has entered an Age of Internment, the like of which not seen on our soil since World War Two.

Both major political parties have gone down this miserable road, in thrall to a section of the populace fearing outsiders and the perceived threat that they may steal this land in the way we stole it from the Aboriginal peoples in 1776.

There was a road to a humane solution that could have saved lives, built a new regional plan to help asylum seekers while taking Australua off the people-smugglers’ menu. It was, in my opinion worth a try. The Gillard ALP government’s Malaysia plan might have worked. We will never know now, as partisan politics and the chance of picking up some votes in electorates where racial fear was opportunistically stoked by the Liberal and National parties scuttled that idea.

So here we are,going backwards into the internment era, and worse, with reported conditions akin to the worst hell-hole in a mad third-world dictator’s prison. The reports on the treatment of children are shocking.

This is the perfect time to revisit an old social science experiment, one shocking and controversial. This experiment triggered the creation of University Ethics Committees, which these days examine every researchpropsal for potential harm to the participants.

This research would never be allowed today and cannot be repeated. Indeed the experiment was cut short when the lead researcher was pulled up by a colleague who saw he had gone off the rails too.

I am of course discussing the Stanford Prison Experiments at Stanford University, California, in 1971.

Many are aware of it but I urge you, even if you have not the slightest interest in social science, to set aside a little time, grab a glass or cup of whatever and read through the complete description of the planning, carrying-out and fall out of this seemingly innocent almost naive research.

Because nobody predicted the shocking results.

Then think of Nauru and Manus Island. Think of the Department of Immigration, the Minister, and our Prime Minister.

I will not pre-empt the story just now, but will follow up with another post when people have had the time to read, listen and absorb. Please don’t just read the first page of the website and think, yeah, that one. Take the slide tour. It has the detail which contains the devil.

http://www.prisonexp.org/

Thank you.

610 thoughts on “The Psychology of Internment – Part 1”

  4. jaeger,

    Exactly!

    That is the climax. it’s the “prologue” that makes the final scene.

  10. TLBD

    Always liked the more acoustic version. The lyrics are allegedly written by a 14 year old. But then thinking back to being 14 the mood swings would have been in sync with it.

  12. Has anyone here tried the new version of Google maps?

    I can’t work out how to shift the area I want to look at. If anyone can help, I’d be most grateful.

  14. ” I can’t work out how to shift the area I want to look at. If anyone can help, I’d be most grateful.”….A couple of bloody big hooks, 2″ hawser cable and a couple of Catapilla D9s might just do it!

  18. Kaffeeklatscher,

    Thank you – works.

    A couple of helpful buttons for the less gifted would be nice!

  19. kk,

    Now I see what happened – I gave up before I should.

    I sailed ahead in Gembrook instead of turning right to Pakenham. Kept on keeping on, ended up in Bunyip State Park, and found myself on a dirt road which didn’t seem to go anywhere.

    If I’d kept going, I would have ended up in Tynong North, then down to the freeway.

    Oh well, it was a nice drive, and revived my very small skill at dealing with dirt roads.

  20. If I’d kept going the other way, I would have discovered Tonimbuk. Somewhere I’d never heard of. Somewhere I wouldn’t have minded seeing.

    Another day.

  21. Tonimbuk is a bounded rural locality in Victoria, Australia. Its local government area is the Shire of Cardinia. At the 2011 Census, Tonimbuk had a population of 317.

    History
    A Telegraph Office was open at Tonimbuk from 1953 until 1959.

    There you go.

  22. http://www.afr.com/news/policy/tax/marketing-hubs-double-singapore-deals-to-100b-20150429-1mw77y

    http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6188-roy-morgan-image-of-professions-2015-201504280343

    Click to access 6188-image-of-professions-2015-april-2015.pdf

    http://www.spookmagazine.com/belle-gibson-and-the-medias-lost-accountability/

    http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2015/04/29/at-the-coal-face-the-ongoing-public-health-crisis-of-the-hazelwood-coal-mine-fire/

  23. Leroy,

    Apart from the 2014 Hazelwood fire being a devastating environmental blot on the Victorian landscape, it is a huge blot on its then political landscape.

    The way it was ignored by the LNP regime was appalling.

    And we all know why:

    Those affected were ALP voting low-class scum.

    Expendable.

    Who gives a shit about them?

    Not us.

    Remember this pic?

    All – ALL – of the self-anointed ‘ruling class’.

    They should reflect upon the Bourbons.

  30. Good morning Dawn Patrollers.

    This is a good example of why we don’t just want a rubber stamp as a Senate.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bali-nine-executions-australian-federal-police-to-break-silence-on-bali-nine-20150429-1mvyex.html
    This sort of behaviour from their own support base will further force public opinion in favour of a crackdown on loopholes and new legislation to prevent it.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tax-office-statistics-reveal-the-55-millionaires-who-paid-no-tax-20150429-1mw2zp.html
    Jess Irvine looks at this revelation and tells us what is wrong with our supposedly egalitarian state.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/something-is-rotten-in-australias-supposed-egalitarian-state-20150429-1mvwmf.html
    Elizabeth Farrelly urges us to tackle climate change by emulating the Anzacs.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/lets-emulate-diggers-sacrifice-to-tackle-climate-change-20150429-1mvr06.html
    The Lowy Institute has quite a bit to say on the “Stop the Boats!” policy.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-boat-policy-will-not-solve-longterm-crisis-of-asylum-lowy-institute-20150429-1mw5g8.html
    “View from the Street” is a little worried about what the TPP may do to us.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/view-from-the-street-say-are-we-changing-the-pharmaceutical-benefits-scheme-20150429-1mw0jz.html
    The “War on Drugs” must stop right now says the Noffs Foundation.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-war-on-drugs-must-end-now-20150429-1mvmra.html
    Alex Greenwich explains the way in which SSM can successfully get through Parliament.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/major-parties-should-cast-aside-internal-party-squabbles-and-work-together-for-marriage-equality-20150429-1muwqq.html
    It looks like Apple could do with a good grounding in the concept of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis). I would guess a RPN of around 300 which would demand action.
    http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/wearables/tattoogate-apple-watch-malfunctions-on-some-tattooed-arms-20150429-1mwek1.html
    A grim warning from the PBO over this federal government’s penchant for cost shifting. And it pours cold water over the “debt and deficit” mantra.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/parliamentary-budget-office-warns-federal-government-decisions-have-put-more-pressure-on-state-government-budgets-20150429-1mw4fp.html

  31. Section 2 . . .

    What will happen to UK foreign policy after the election next week?
    http://www.theage.com.au/comment/uk-election-possibilities-shared-power-would-have-global-impact-20150429-1muqy4.html
    Domestic violence in western NSW is beyond a state of emergency.
    http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/30/endemic-domestic-violence-has-pushed-western-nsw-past-a-state-of-emergency
    The reason Hockey won’t go near negative gearing.
    http://thenewdaily.com.au/money/2015/04/29/lib-voters-property-tax-help/
    The $700000 donation to the LNP in Queensland might end up as having been wasted.
    https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/coal-mine-expansion-approved-after-700k-lnp-donation-faces-hurdle,7640
    Hundreds of ATO’s casual workers in Albury are about to lose their jobs.
    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/ato-to-cut-hundreds-of-casuals-from-albury-office-20150429-1mvqt6.html
    Is a reverse mortgage a risky undertaking?
    http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/4/30/national-affairs/reverse-mortgage-risky-business
    Julian Burnside has taken up arms against the bullying tactics over Myki fines.
    http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/commuters-bullied-into-paying-myki-fines-claims-julian-burnside-20150429-1mw60w.html
    Alan Moir reminds us of the Catholic influence within the ALP.

    David Pope with an unflattering portrayal of the AFP.

    Mark Knight with some collateral damage at the firing squad.

    David Rowe says it all.

  32. It looks like Apple could do with a good grounding in the concept of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis). I would guess a RPN of around 300 which would demand action.

    Attention hipsters: Apple Watch says tattoos are uncool.

  34. Senior Constable Melissa Seach said the owner of the business made the discovery while the vehicle was parked on the street around 9:00am on Monday, after mistaking blood from the finger for rust it was helping them with their search.

  36. I am not 100% against the death penalty because there are some crimes that warrant it. In my book, those who sexually abuse children are number one candidates. whether their criminal actions result in the death of the victims or not because these victims remain scarred for life.

    Those rapists who torture and then kill their victims do not deserve a second chance at life. For example, the Anita Corby case. These warped pieces of human excrement cannot be rehabilitated. The penalty for lesser crimes of rape ought to be mandatory castration which would ensure they would not re-offend.

    As for drugs, it has been my opinion for a very long time that prohibition is at the root of this evil. If these drugs were legal, there wouldn’t be mountains of money available to the criminals who distribute and promote them. Governments would benefit from enough money to provide treatment for addicts and society would benefit from less brain addled people turning criminal in order to sustain their habit. The cost of our prison system would be greatly reduced.

  38. Moir got it wrong today. Bill Shorten is in favour of same sex marriage. It’s the Labor dinosaurs like Joe Bullock and Joe de Bruyn who will kill Tanya Plibersek’s binding vote idea.

  39. Tony Abbott, 27 April 2015
    “We abhor the death penalty, we oppose it at home, we oppose it abroad,”

    Just more lies.

    This morning –
    Abbott government removed death-penalty opposition from AFP’s priorities
    Justice minister Michael Keenan omitted the line when he updated the ministerial direction to the Australian federal police in May 2014
    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/apr/30/abbott-government-removed-death-penalty-opposition-from-afps-priorities?CMP=soc_568

  40. leonetwo

    ““We abhor the death penalty, we oppose it at home, we oppose it abroad,” ”

    It must be on today’s talking points sheet, saw J Bishop say the same thing. She got a bit grumpy after some questions about the ministerial AFP directive . Refused to answer any more about it.

  45. Does anyone know whether a public servant/police official or whatever would be able to post an anonymous opinion on a blog?
    No ulterior motive from me. Just curious.
    Not releasing classified stuff but an opinion based on insider knowledge.

  48. rmn

    Does anyone know whether a public servant/police official or whatever would be able to post an anonymous opinion on a blog?

    Of course they could. The biggest risk to them is that they reveal too much detail which leads to them being identified.

  49. Got back from shopping a little while ago..had lunch (everyday gourmet)..feeling comfortable in my own skin..talking of..the OH. left me in charge of the trolley at the ladies “smalls” racks there, while she sorted through the thermals.. and I turned around and found myself eye to eye with the “Razza Matazz” rack!..they only show the waist and legs in those pantie-hose packs, and I’m sure some of those leggy models must be dummys..but there are those where, if you look closely, you can distinguish the flexed quadriceps (?) muscle…and I must say, those are some quads!…One has to agree that the standard-bred caucasian lass can turn out a damn fine leg!…..just sayin’ !…but it doesn’t do to linger long there, one could get a reputation.

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