Pick Your Poison

I've been thinking about the various social controls different societies have in place to deal with so-called 'deviants'. So, here's my question...

Would you prefer to be shunned or executed?

I'd prefer exile, but I'll take executed. :D

Edit: well, if I was shunned, could I just leave?

Originally posted by jay@af

Edit: well, if I was shunned, could I just leave?

Well, I suppose you could leave the community in which you were shunned. But "shunning" by definition implies that an individual who breaks one of the principal 'taboos' of the group would be permitted to continue to work and live in the community, but not a single person would speak to that individual--ever. You would be emotionally cut off, your existence belittled to merely an unwelcome physical presence, whether or not you chose to stay or leave.

You could leave, but you'd have to renounce every tie that you had in the community that shunned you. You'd essentially be left to begin again without friends, family, or any of the support you once knew.

Gives one something to think about I suppose.

Originally posted by DantesInferno
You would be emotionally cut off, your existence belittled to merely an unwelcome physical presence, whether or not you chose to stay or leave.

You could leave, but you'd have to renounce every tie that you had in the community that shunned you. You'd essentially be left to begin again without friends, family, or any of the support you once knew.I'd have already lost them, then. So, oh well, I'm walking. I change my answer.

Depends on the situation, sometimes you want to be killed, cause conditions are THAT bad. Other times, leaving is just better, it's actually called Ostracism, well, the extreme part of shunning someone. as for me, I tihnk an execution would be more honourable, at least you'd die for a reason.

Hmmm, this is a tough one. I personally think I would have less trouble than some standing up to give my life via execution to support a cause I believe in because I have lead a satisfying life. One who has had less satisfaction in life would probably be hesitant to give it all up, though perhaps they would be more inclined to die since they in theory have less to live for, since their life is not as fulfilling.

On the other hand, I know that for some, having to sever all ties and move somewhere that required essentially a clean slate, start completely from scratch would be unbearable. But for others, myself included, it's a sucky option, but it's also plausible. If you consider the alternative i.e. death, perhaps the strength to move on and the will to live would outweigh giving up everything. You would have to deal with knowing that in your "former" life you were regarded as something of heretic/traitor/or what have you, and that that is most likely the most prominent memory that people in your former society would have of you.

Seeing as how many people prefer the witness protection program to not testifying against a superior and taking the heat themselves (which I don't think would inlude the death sentence - I believe that only lesser felonies make one an eligible candidate for the WPP), seems they would rather take this route, though granted this is a pretty thin comparison.

How is shunning possible though.. Is this just one of the many philosifys that dont have any possiblity of working

Well, right now I'd have to say shunning, because I don't really have any ties here, except my family. I don't have a girl, for the moment, I don't have a job, or kids, so it would be relatively easy to start over. But If I had to leave a wife and kids, I'd pick execution.

Originally posted by Porsche
...it's actually called Ostracism, well, the extreme part of shunning someone...

This is true...shunning is part of systematic opprobrium and ostracism.

Originally posted by dejoux
How is shunning possible though.. Is this just one of the many philosifys that dont have any possiblity of working

Shunning does occur in real life. For example, the Amish and Mennonites have been known to use shunning as a punishment for breaking certain central principles of their belief systems, ie: getting sexually involved with an 'outsider'.

Originally posted by JD@af
I personally think I would have less trouble than some standing up to give my life via execution to support a cause I believe in because I have lead a satisfying life. One who has had less satisfaction in life would probably be hesitant to give it all up, though perhaps they would be more inclined to die since they in theory have less to live for, since their life is not as fulfilling.

I agree with you JD. Myself, I would choose execution.

I'd be shunned. I can think of plenty of things I could do by myself... sadly, I've done most of them. haha...ohhh.

i'd go shunned, i wouldn't kill myself over anything

Originally posted by DantesInferno


Well, I suppose you could leave the community in which you were shunned. But "shunning" by definition implies that an individual who breaks one of the principal 'taboos' of the group would be permitted to continue to work and live in the community, but not a single person would speak to that individual--ever. You would be emotionally cut off, your existence belittled to merely an unwelcome physical presence, whether or not you chose to stay or leave.

You could leave, but you'd have to renounce every tie that you had in the community that shunned you. You'd essentially be left to begin again without friends, family, or any of the support you once knew.

Gives one something to think about I suppose.


So based off of your definition here, my life now only with purpose.:D



I don't know about all this societal crap. As it stands right now, I'm viewed as a black sheep. Both in family and society. So I guess being ignored isn't all that bad. Come to think of it, it's just made my existence all the more exciting. People are always like to me, "what is he like?" or "He must be really cool" or anything to that effect. So it has it's advantages because you intrigue people. But that's just me.:D

i'd be exhiled or shunned. Death isn't good. No love.