Zapping Le jeu de la mort

Summary

The transcript depicts a tense, psychological experiment where participants are subjected to escalating electric shocks for incorrect answers, testing their ability to follow instructions under pressure. Set in a public environment, unlike the isolated 1g experiment, the scenario challenges the limits of authority and personal boundaries. As the shocks intensify, so does the conflict between the participant and the experimenter, who urges them to continue despite distress. The emotional strain grows as the participant struggles to decide whether to comply or stop, exploring themes of power, obedience, and human resilience in an extreme setting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The experiment's credibility hinges on being conducted in front of a real audience, unlike the earlier 1g experiment that was held in a lab isolation setting.
• 😀 The team aimed to test whether a real audience in a game setting would tolerate extreme actions, such as administering electric shocks.
• 😀 The game involves two participants: one asks questions, and if the second participant answers incorrectly, they are subjected to increasing electric shocks.
• 😀 The electric shocks increase in intensity by 20 volts with each wrong answer, eventually reaching higher voltage levels.
• 😀 The game has a structured authority figure, who encourages the questioner to continue regardless of the other participant's discomfort or desire to stop.
• 😀 At one point, the game challenges the questioner to proceed despite the other participant expressing distress and wanting to stop.
• 😀 The participants are led through the experience by the authority figure, who instructs them to continue even when the other participant's reactions suggest they are struggling.
• 😀 The stakes of the game are emphasized as the voltage and pressure on the participants build, showcasing an escalating conflict.
• 😀 At one point, the authority figure offers reassurance but forces the participants to persist, even if it means subjecting the other participant to stronger shocks.
• 😀 The ultimate goal is for the participants to reach the final stage of the game, which could involve administering a shock that may be deemed unbearable.

Q & A

What is the main difference between this experiment and the previous 1g experiment?

The main difference is that this experiment is conducted in front of a live audience, while the 1g experiment took place in an isolated laboratory setting.

What was the purpose of conducting this experiment in front of a public audience?

The purpose was to see if a real audience would tolerate such a spectacle, as opposed to using actors or controlled participants.

How does the game in the experiment progress?

The game progresses with a series of questions. If the second participant answers incorrectly, they are subjected to an increasing level of electric shocks, starting at 20 volts and escalating as the game continues.

What role do the 'tribunes' play in the experiment?

The tribunes represent authority and encourage the participant to continue answering questions, regardless of the electric shocks being delivered.

What happens if the participant answers incorrectly?

If the participant answers incorrectly, they receive an electric shock. The shocks become more intense as the game advances.

What is the significance of reaching the end of the 27 questions?

Reaching the end of the 27 questions is crucial because it marks the completion of the game, and the participant is expected to continue despite the increasing discomfort.

What does the participant express during the experiment?

The participant expresses distress and frustration, asking to stop or leave the game, but is encouraged to continue by the game master and authority figures.

What happens when a participant shows signs of wanting to quit?

Even when the participant shows signs of wanting to quit, the experimenters continue urging them to proceed, increasing the electric shocks to ensure they continue with the game.

How do the 'tribunes' react when the participant shows no reaction to the electric shocks?

The 'tribunes' show concern when the participant stops reacting, indicating that the lack of response may be worrying, but they still encourage the participant to continue.

What is the role of Jean-Paul in this script?

Jean-Paul is the participant who is subjected to the electric shocks during the experiment. He shows clear signs of distress, but the authorities in the game push him to continue answering the questions despite his discomfort.