Christopher Hitchens Get Waterboarded | Vanity Fair

Summary

The transcript describes a harrowing personal experience of being submerged in water, leading to intense feelings of drowning and smothering. The speaker reflects on the psychological and physical toll of such an ordeal, noting how the sensation of not being able to breathe creates panic. They also touch upon the psychological aftermath, including mild panic when engaging in activities that raise their heart rate, and recurring sensations of suffocation upon waking. The speaker compares the experience to the broader implications of techniques used in survival training, revealing deep emotional and psychological scars.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker expresses frustration with the media's portrayal of waterboarding as merely a simulation of drowning, clarifying that it is far more distressing.
• 😀 Waterboarding is described not only as a drowning sensation but also a smothering feeling due to the pressure over the face and nostrils.
• 😀 The narrator describes their personal experience with a safety mechanism, the 'dead man's handle,' and their attempt to activate it despite being restrained.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the intense panic and helplessness that comes with being submerged in water, unable to think clearly or take control of the situation.
• 😀 They reflect on the psychological toll of such experiences, noting the risk of losing one's mind in extreme situations if wrongfully targeted.
• 😀 Despite not having nightmares, the speaker experiences lingering feelings of suffocation and panic after the event, especially during physical exertion.
• 😀 The experience led the speaker to develop a slight panic when their heart rate increases, feeling as if they can't catch their breath.
• 😀 They describe a heightened sense of vulnerability, having vivid memories of the smothering sensation and needing reassurance to calm down.
• 😀 The speaker sympathizes more deeply with those who undergo similar experiences, particularly in high-stakes situations involving torture or interrogation.
• 😀 The speaker concludes with a sense of emotional disarray, realizing the lasting psychological impact of the event and its subtle effects on their daily life.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main frustration regarding the press's coverage of a particular technique?

The speaker is frustrated with the way the press discusses a technique, suggesting it falsely simulates the feeling of drowning or smothering. They believe the coverage oversimplifies the experience and doesn't accurately convey the intense physical and psychological effects.

What is the 'survive evade resist escape' program, and how does it relate to the speaker's experience?

The 'survive evade resist escape' program refers to training in techniques designed to help individuals escape life-threatening situations, such as captivity. The speaker mentions this in connection with the traumatic techniques that they believe are used in such programs, which might lead to private practitioners offering these services.

What is the feeling described by the speaker when holding their breath under extreme conditions?

The speaker describes the sensation of holding their breath as causing a tightening grip around their face, mouth, and nostrils, leading to a smothering feeling in addition to the feeling of drowning.

What happened when the speaker attempted to activate the 'dead man's handle'?

The speaker tried to activate the 'dead man's handle,' which would stop the process they were experiencing, but despite releasing the mechanism and shouting a code word, they were unable to remember or fully execute the action due to the overwhelming situation.

How does the speaker describe their physical response to breathing water?

The speaker describes an intense, all-consuming experience of breathing water, which prevents them from thinking about anything else. This sensation is so overpowering that it prevents rational thought and could result in severe psychological distress, especially if the individual has no reason or personal stakes tied to the situation.

What does the speaker suggest would happen if someone were subjected to this experience without personal motivation?

The speaker implies that if a person were subjected to this intense experience without any personal motivation (such as the safety of a loved one), they would likely lose their mental stability quickly. This could lead to feelings of helplessness and confusion, heightening the psychological strain.

How has the speaker’s brief experience affected them physically and psychologically?

The speaker mentions that their brief experience with drowning or smothering techniques has left them with lingering effects, such as slight panic when their heart rate increases and they breathe hard. They also feel a sensation of being unable to catch their breath, which triggers a minor anxiety response.

What recurring symptom has the speaker experienced after the traumatic event?

After the traumatic event, the speaker has started waking up with a sensation of being smothered. This leads them to instinctively push things off their face as if trying to escape the feeling of suffocation.

Does the speaker experience nightmares related to their traumatic experience?

No, the speaker does not have nightmares, but they have been experiencing a subtle psychological reaction to physical exertion and the sensation of being smothered.

What is the significance of the speaker's mention of drinking water after feeling panic?

The act of drinking water serves as a way for the speaker to reassure themselves and calm their anxiety when they feel panicked after physical exertion. It appears to be a coping mechanism to help manage the panic sensation and remind themselves that they are not actually in danger.