February 11, 2006

Artur Zmilewski, Repetition (2005). 39 Minutes. At CCA Wattis Institute (Nov 30, 2005-February 21, 2006).

The premise is simple enough. Back in the 70s, Stanford performed a prison experiment in which the volunteers were put in prisoner/guard positions in a simulated prison. The results soon turned so violent that it had to be shut down after just six days. Conclusion: human nature is sadistic. The problem with this experiment is that with all experiments, they need to replicated to be validated. Unfortunately, the dicey ethical nature of the experiment has prevented researchers from doing so, leaving this one experiment the last word and unquestioned authority on the subject. Step in Zmilewski and several down and out Poles who really need the $40 a day the experiment pays. They recreate the experiment (although with a new opt-out option not overtly given to the Stanford subjects). Results: half the prisoners opt-out, then things come to a head, and every one involved opts-out in unison at the warden's suggestion, because human dignity is worth more than $40 a day. Repetition? Not really. Knowing you can leave changes everything (hardly the replication of true prison conditions). But still, the results reaffirm a lot of what's good in humans put in authoritarian social structures. Check this out before it ends.