# Nitrogen Execution Now In America **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 17, 2018, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714 "2018-03-17T04:44:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/61 "2018-03-18T02:44:41Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Damn, I used to listen to that show every night it was on. Me too. I have 57 episodes (IIRC, downloaded from the linked site) in my iTunes. I always liked _The White Wolf_. ETA: [Knock yourself out](https://www.cbsrmt.com/synopsis.html). . ---
**Author:** ![Sveltington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@Sveltington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sveltington)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/62 "2018-03-18T02:46:25Z")
Why not a firing squad? Or a big ol executioner with an axe? Or kill them in the exact same method they used to murder their victims. Or me give me a gun; I will happily put the dead men/women walking out of our misery. I do not even want a salary; just the cost of transportation to the prison. I will be against the death penalty as soon our our society ceases to produce monsters. Thanks for the tip on nitrogen just in case I ever decide to move on. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/63 "2018-03-18T02:50:15Z")
Thanks for the offer, Dexter, but we’re full up on sociopaths at the moment. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/64 "2018-03-18T02:52:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Based on comments I’ve seen from certain demographic populations, there may be people who would pay to do it. ☹ > [@Sveltington](#): > > Or me give me a gun; I will happily put the dead men/women walking out of our misery. I do not even want a salary; just the cost of transportation to the prison. _Quod Erat Demonstrandum_. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/65 "2018-03-18T05:48:40Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Damn, I used to listen to that show every night it was on. What a throwback to a throwback. Me too. And I remember that episode. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/66 "2018-03-18T13:17:09Z")
While argon is heavier than air, it doesn’t magically not mix with air. Otherwise we’d all be under a blanket of argon. (And another one of CO2.) It’d mix soon enough in a room. Note that some states have passed laws that have made it impossible to track down the source of their lethal injection drugs. Courts have so far supported these laws. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/67 "2018-03-18T14:12:38Z")
Here in Missouri, the state was having trouble finding a source for the drugs it used to kill people. Legitimate pharmaceutical companies refused to sell them to the state. So the state found a compounding pharmacy that would sell the drugs. State officials were literally paying for the drugs with envelopes full of cash so they could keep the source off the books. I imagine nitrogen is more readily available. But even more readily available that that are rocks! Plenty of stones lying around. If we want these people to be killed, and the state is having trouble doing it for us, I guess we can all chip in. I’m sure we’d find plenty of willing stone throwers. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/68 "2018-03-18T14:18:42Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I imagine nitrogen is more readily available. But even more readily available that that are rocks! Plenty of stones lying around. If we want these people to be killed, and the state is having trouble doing it for us, I guess we can all chip in. I’m sure we’d find plenty of willing stone throwers. But where will we find someone without sin? Old joke. Jesus is walking through the streets of Nazareth when he comes across an angry mob stoning a man. Jesus interrupts the mob and speaks his famous line: “let he who is without sin cast the first stone!” Almost as soon as he says this a stone flies from the crowd. Jesus looks around for the perpetrator and upon seeing them yells: “Damn it mom, cut it out!” ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/69 "2018-03-18T14:32:15Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The simplest and most humane method of execution would be a .38 round fired into the base of the skull where the spinal cord comes in. It would turn them off like a light switch. They wouldn’t feel it or hear it. Tell me about the rabbits, George. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/70 "2018-03-18T15:02:46Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Not that I’m particularly concerned about the momentary suffering of someone who’s deprived someone else of their life and inflicted terrible and lifelong suffering upon their family and loved ones, but I’m not so sure this type of death is as instantaneous as it appears. > > I’ve heard and read that the brain continues to be conscious and aware for some minutes after blood flow stops. On the other hand I’ve also read that loss of consciousness is instantaneous due to the drop in blood pressure. So who knows, I guess. This is based on body wounds. It is quite possible to take a direct shot to the heart and have someone continue to function for over a minute before collapsing. > [@](#): > > Still, it seems possible to me that while a bullet to the base of the skull causes the body to be turned off like a light, highly unpleasant things might still be going on inside the head, possibly including even pain from the injury, for at least a short time after. Here’s an interesting discussion about [GSW to the head.](https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/gunshot-to-the-head-does-this-mean-instant-death.html) They make this point: > [@](#): > > Responsible for controlling involuntary actions, the brain stem is a critical part of our body. A shot directed towards it causes immediate death. Since the brain stem is the “junction point” for the and is at the base of the rear of the skull, they also point out that most head shots do result in death by bleeding out. That’s why the round would have to be fired from the rear, not the front. The brain itself does not feel pain, so the net effect, as I said, is like turning off a light switch. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/71 "2018-03-18T15:38:27Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > This is based on body wounds. It is quite possible to take a direct shot to the heart and have someone continue to function for over a minute before collapsing. witness deer hunting. a deer can be shot (with arrow or bullet) through the heart and both lungs, and still manage to run for 25 yards or more. > [@](#): > > Since the brain stem is the “junction point” for the and is at the base of the rear of the skull, they also point out that most head shots do result in death by bleeding out. That’s why the round would have to be fired from the rear, not the front. The brain itself does not feel pain, so the net effect, as I said, is like turning off a light switch. unfortunately, the thing you are forgetting is that while the individual might be instantly turned off, what’s left of the central and peripheral nervous system is going to be firing off like crazy (e.g. the famous “chicken with its head cut off.”) brain stem is the recommended shot placement if you’re hunting feral swine, and even with a perfect shot they’ll twitch, thrash, convulse, and even vocalize for a bit. like so (spoilered to make it two clicks- **this is a video of an animal being shot. don’t watch if you don’t want to see it.** ) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2FiI5LwwfQ&t=1m40s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2FiI5LwwfQ&t=1m40s) the animal is dead, its nervous system just doesn’t know it yet. so, do you think people are going to consider your solution “quick and humane” when confronted with someone thrashing around like that? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/72 "2018-03-18T15:53:23Z")
Well, if the brain itself feels no pain, why not just build a microwave hat and cook the prisoner’s brain? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/73 "2018-03-18T16:07:02Z")
All this thought being put into how to more efficiently murder people by official decree is a great and wonderful exercise in creativity, but what do you say we put at least a little effort into trying to improve the system of jurisprudence to avoid [convicting innocent people](https://www.innocenceproject.org/cases/) before we start slaughtering them wholesale? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/74 "2018-03-18T16:18:57Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > All this thought being put into how to more efficiently murder people by official decree is a great and wonderful exercise in creativity, but what do you say we put at least a little effort into trying to improve the system of jurisprudence to avoid [convicting innocent people](https://www.innocenceproject.org/cases/) before we start slaughtering them wholesale? > > Stranger On thing at a time. First we figure out how to kill them, then we figure out who we are going to kill. Personally I am pretty strongly against the death penalty. I think that in theory, it could have some level of responsible use (serial killers, white collar criminals, and jaywalkers), but the way it has been practiced throughout history, and even in modern times shows that it is unlikely that it will not be abused or used inappropriately. However, if we are going to have a DP, then it should be as humane as possible, and I do think that nitrogen asphyxiation is the better way to go. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/75 "2018-03-18T17:04:20Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > … white collar criminals … Some of these people to far worse lasting damage to far more people than your average murderer. But I would still not want them executed, at least not before they could be totally ruined financially and forced to work toward real restitution toward their victims. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/76 "2018-03-18T17:11:02Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Some of these people to far worse lasting damage to far more people than your average murderer. But I would still not want them executed, at least not before they could be totally ruined financially and forced to work toward real restitution toward their victims. Yes and no. Like I said, I’m pretty much against the DP on many levels anyway, so I would agree, in principle with your statement. However, DP proponents like to talk about the DP as a deterrent, as if any of the people that are on death row made a rational risk assessment about what the potential consequences of their crimes would be while they were deciding whether or not to commit them. I do think that if financial crimes had the possibility of the DP as a consequence, white collar criminals would be a bit more hesitation. They actually would be considering the risk/benefit ratio of their greed. Of course, I would probably be against it in practice, because the people being executed would be some caterer that happened to overhear some insider news at an event, and not the people who actually bring down the economy. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/77 "2018-03-18T17:51:53Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Nitrogen asphyxiation and nitrogen narcosis are completely different things. One is bubbles of nitrogen dissolving into your brain which gives you a nice bubbly high, potentially deadly while deep scuba diving, but isn’t directly fatal. The other is merely the absence of oxygen, which our bodies actually can’t detect (the out-of-breath feeling comes from a buildup of CO2) so you basically just keel over and die without warning. > > […] You’re right. My mistake. But I would say that our bodies can detect the nitrogen asphyxiation. I certainly felt different – lightheaded, giddy, a bit dizzy. The detection wouldn’t necessarily be helpful in avoiding it, because it also made me relaxed and profoundly unworried, and unlikely to act to rescue myself in any way. But if you had asked me if I felt different I would certainly have said I did. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/78 "2018-03-18T18:00:48Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > This is based on body wounds. It is quite possible to take a direct shot to the heart and have someone continue to function for over a minute before collapsing. > > Here’s an interesting discussion about [GSW to the head.](https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/gunshot-to-the-head-does-this-mean-instant-death.html) They make this point: > > Since the brain stem is the “junction point” for the and is at the base of the rear of the skull, they also point out that most head shots do result in death by bleeding out. That’s why the round would have to be fired from the rear, not the front. The brain itself does not feel pain, so the net effect, as I said, is like turning off a light switch. Sorry, **Clothy** , but I remain unconvinced. It’s true that the brain doesn’t feel pain but it recognizes and formulates it, and to me a conscious and functioning brain would be perfectly capable of being aware of and feeling the painful effects of a bullet wound through the brain stem, plus whatever secondary effects that may arise from it such as nerves firing like crazy, the inability to breath, etc. I think the only thing that would convince me otherwise would be to hook up the brains of a number of people scheduled for execution to electronic devices capable of measuring electronic activity in the brain and see if all activity stops instantly upon receiving such a wound or whether it continues or explodes in the immediate aftermath of a bullet through the brain stem. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/79 "2018-03-18T18:02:09Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Sorry, **Clothy** , but I remain unconvinced. It’s true that the brain doesn’t feel pain but it recognizes and formulates it, and to me a conscious and functioning brain would be perfectly capable of being aware of and feeling the painful effects of a bullet wound through the brain stem, plus whatever secondary effects that may arise from it such as nerves firing like crazy, the inability to breath, etc. I think the only thing that would convince me otherwise would be to hook up the brains of a number of people scheduled for execution to electronic devices capable of measuring electronic activity in the brain and see if all activity stops instantly upon receiving such a wound or whether it continues or explodes in the immediate aftermath of a bullet through the brain stem. I would think that- if one remained conscious for any period of time after that- it would feel like your entire body was on fire. similar to the “phantom pain” amputees feel in the limb which is no longer there. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/80 "2018-03-18T18:06:12Z")
Well, I guess the only solution is the [suicide helmet](https://www.bizarrepedia.com/the-suicide-helmet/) Or, you know, abolishing the death penalty. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714.md?page=5)