Shock Value

I came across a very recent article in the New York Times that discusses, of all things, Milgram's famous psychological experiments of the early 60's. In case you're too lazy to read it, the experiments were set up so that the subject was instructed to give a series of increasingly intense shocks to another subject when they answered questions incorrectly. The subject did not know that the "victim" was really an actor pretending to get shocked. At 150 volts, the victim requested that the test be stopped. Some refused to continue shocking the victim, while others turned up the voltage as required by the test. Milgram is also responsible for the idea of the "six degrees of separation," otherwise known as 64% of the reason Kevin Bacon is still popular.

I was previously aware of the Milgram shock experiments for the same reason that I'm aware of pretty much any other bit of information that most would consider trivial - I've heard a song about it. I am of course talking about the eighth track of Peter Gabriel's 1986 album, So, entitled "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)." The title is a reference to a variation of the experiment wherein forty people were given secondary tasks such as reading the questions or doing paperwork. They weren't actually triggering the shock. In this test, all but three (i.e., thirty-seven) saw the test through to the end. It's a classic study in the nature of obedience. (Similar references to the deontological proof for the existence of God and Pascal's Wager can be found in the lyrics to Devo's "Whip It.")

As a quick aside, how awesome would it be if scientific journals required that their findings not only be documented in articles, but be accompanied with relevant pop or rock songs? I'm envisioning something like Now That's What I Call Research In Optics, Vol. 6! Maybe it's not such a good idea, but at least it shows I'm thinking.

Nowadays, the experiments of Milgram are as relevant as ever. There are accusations of the Bush administration and federal agencies using torture to obtain information in this absurd War on Terror. There are significant questions as to what degree the process of torture is immoral, and there are doubtlessly questions of who ultimately may be judged responsible. (Of course, given my current opinion of the Bush administration, I consider everyone involved to be severely guilty just by association, even if torture is not occurring.)

I propose that everyone involved in the recent alleged instances of torturing prisoners in pursuit of information be required to read up on the findings of the Milgram experiments. To make the reading more enjoyable, you can even have some Peter Gabriel playing in the background. Hopefully those who might have to do the dirty work and actually execute these cruel torture methods would pause and consider whether they may truly be culpable for failing to raise their voices in protest. I have a dream that one day they will rise up and refuse their so-called duty, and prisoners of this War on Terror will no longer be subject to that horrible punishment of being forced to play "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." But here's a hint - don't forget that he was in Animal House with Donald Sutherland.