Reawakening After Solitary Confinement: An Experiment's Awakening
Imagine living in a solitary confinement, locked up in a small room for 20 years without ever meeting anyone or seeing anything beyond the walls of your room. The day the door opens and you step outside for the first time would surely be a life-changing experience.
My first reaction, if I were in such a situation, would be to scream with joy and terror, a continuous sound that seems to never end. Standing there with my eyes closed, I would breathe deeply, trying to take in the new scents and stimuli around me, possibly without knowing what sunglasses are but certainly in need of them to protect my eyes from the bright light.
Enlightenment or Nightmares?
According to Plato's allegory, enlightenment could come from such a situation. If I returned to the cave to tell my friends about the 'giant glowing ball in the sky,' their disbelief or misunderstanding might lead to conflict. Instead of helping, they might see it as arrogance and falsehood and react with hostility, culminating in possible physical harm or even death.
The Reality of Solitary Confinement
Studies have shown that prolonged solitary confinement can lead to a myriad of psychological issues. Symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, delirium, hypersensitivity to noise and touch, insomnia, PTSD, uncontrollable feelings of rage or fear, and even suicide or self-mutilation can occur. Such conditions can weaken the cardiovascular and immune systems, and impair memory and learning ability.
Despite the severe negative health effects, the process of reawakening would likely be highly disorienting. My reaction would be disbelief and a conviction that I was dreaming or hallucinating. I would attempt to prove that I was experiencing reality through my senses—seeing, smelling, touching, and hearing—to convince myself that they are real.
The Arrival of Freedom
The sudden arrival of a cheerful dinging noise, signaling the delivery of a gritty paste usually referred to as 'food', would be initially confusing. The question 'Computer, where is the food?' would go unanswered, followed by the revelation of an intrusion into my solitary life. The deeper voice of the new entity and the green lights, previously unknown, would add to the disorienting experience.
Stepping through the door leading to a different room with soothing pale walls, I would feel almost unclothed. The subtle but significant differences in the environment would further confuse my perceptions. The instructions to proceed to the window, take the ECG dot, and place it above my eye would create a sense of both anticipation and fear.
The Reawakening Experience
The black glossy panel, when replaced by a sky-like ceiling, would be a breathtaking sight. The warm, non-wall-coloured light and the abundance of unique greens would be overwhelming. The water in my eyes, reminiscent of the 'injection' by Computer, would indicate a mix of emotions—surprise, awe, and perhaps a touch of joy.
In this new reality, I would feel amazed and awestruck, as if stepping into a story that Computer had told me. Yet, the knowledge that it is all real would be a profound and surreal experience. The transition from the controlled, limited world of solitude to the vast, new, and unpredictable environment would be a journey of discovery and adaptation.
Conclusion
The experience of reawakening after solitary confinement is a complex and profound one, filled with disorientation and transformation. The psychological effects of such an experience highlight the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of individuals subjected to long-term isolation. As reawakening, the process of adapting to a new reality and understanding the concept of freedom can be both challenging and empowering.