# 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:** 5
**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, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/81 "2018-03-18T18:07:08Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > 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. When pickpockets were hanged publicly, pickpockets worked the crowd. There’s no deterrent. ---
**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, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/82 "2018-03-18T18:12:11Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > When pickpockets were hanged publicly, pickpockets worked the crowd. There’s no deterrent. I agree that the DP, as is used currently (and most of the time historically) is not a deterrent, but rather a method of exacting “justice” in the form of punishment, because somehow, punishment makes victims whole? I’m just saying that white collar criminals actually could be uttered from embezzling or setting up ponzi schemes, or acting on insider information, if they knew there was a possibility of the DP for their actions. ---
**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, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/83 "2018-03-18T18:19:54Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > 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. Agreed. > [@Son of a Rich](#): > > When pickpockets were hanged publicly, pickpockets worked the crowd. There’s no deterrent. Every law on the books gets broken regardless of its penalty. But these laws would be broken a great deal more without the deterrent effect of their penalty. People speed and run red lights all the time, for example, but imagine what the roads would be like without the laws against them and the penalties for doing so. Same with capital crimes. There will always be people who think they can get away with them or who can’t resist momentary murderous impulses. But the deterrent effect of capital punishment serves to keep such instances to a minimum. The fact that murders still occur does not mean that capital punishment is not a deterrent. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/84 "2018-03-18T19:03:08Z")
> [@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. I don’t support the death penalty except for treason and related crimes, but yea, either shooting or beheading via guillotine are both near-instantaneous, simple, and have worked fine for plenty of other societies. I don’t see the point of trying to execute people while deluding ourselves about what we’re doing by making things antiseptic and clinical. ---
**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, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/85 "2018-03-18T19:05:22Z")
> [@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 Shush! You’re interrupting the blood lust. ---
**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, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/86 "2018-03-18T19:25:53Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Shush! You’re interrupting the blood lust. Oh, well [in that case…](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UBfoMgllphs) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/87 "2018-03-18T21:36:44Z")
Watch the insults in this forum. > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Thanks for the offer, Dexter, but we’re full up on sociopaths at the moment. > > Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/88 "2018-03-18T21:53:29Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I agree that the DP, as is used currently (and most of the time historically) is not a deterrent, but rather a method of exacting “justice” in the form of punishment, because somehow, punishment makes victims whole? > > I’m just saying that white collar criminals actually could be uttered from embezzling or setting up ponzi schemes, or acting on insider information, if they knew there was a possibility of the DP for their actions. Or in 45’s case, getting DP might be a turnon instead. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/89 "2018-03-18T22:26:00Z")
If we’re gonna kill them, I vote C4 helmet. Vaporize the head in fractions of a second. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/90 "2018-03-19T00:22:16Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Death by drugs is much, much trickier than what you think. Especially given the population subject to the penalty contains many people who have used heavy drugs for years. Lots of problems. > > 1. Finding a vein to inject. Keep in mind that real doctors aren’t allowed to be part of this. So they have some have semi-trained schmoe with little experience trying to poke someone whose veins are all messed up. > > 2. What might kill one person, or a horse, might only given another person a buzz. > > Some of the worst [screw-ups](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_of_Clayton_Lockett) in US execution history have come from “lethal” injection. barbituates and fentanyl derivatives are dirt cheap. So I don’t think they’d have to experiment to find the right dose, just give 100x the normal dose. It’d probably be less than $10 for a massive dose that would kill a herd of elephants. FWIW I’m anti death penalty except in extreme cases (remorseless serial killers). Even then I know it doesn’t prevent crime. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/91 "2018-03-19T01:18:12Z")
I just got here, and I am totally confused. Someone please explain. Nitrogen gas? Aren’t we breathing 80% nitrogen in our air. How is it dangerous? If you cut out the oxygen, yeah, but that’s just plain suffocation. Is that what they are saying? Nitrous oxide would be the perfect. Suffocation without feeling it. But what are they actually talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/92 "2018-03-19T01:48:46Z")
> [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](#): > > I just got here, and I am totally confused. Someone please explain. Nitrogen gas? Aren’t we breathing 80% nitrogen in our air. How is it dangerous? If you cut out the oxygen, yeah, but that’s just plain suffocation. Is that what they are saying? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/93 "2018-03-19T01:52:27Z")
> [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](#): > > I just got here, and I am totally confused. Someone please explain. Nitrogen gas? Aren’t we breathing 80% nitrogen in our air. How is it dangerous? If you cut out the oxygen, yeah, but that’s just plain suffocation. Is that what they are saying? Nitrous oxide would be the perfect. Suffocation without feeling it. But what are they actually talking about? They are talking about suffocation. Pure 100% Nitrogen. Remember the human body can’t detect the absence of oxygen, you feel bad and start to pant because of the build-up of CO2. With a room full of N2, you would pass out and subsequently die in a few seconds. It is a known workplace danger. Whenever workers go in to a large metal tank, someone has to wait outside with an O2 supply. The inside of the tank might have rusted and used up the O2, leaving pure N2. Anyone walking in would pass out before they detected any problem. The safety precautions don’t always work. ---
**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 19, 2018, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/94 "2018-03-19T02:21:43Z")
And since most of what goes in and out of our lungs is nitrogen, you would not smell a difference if all the oxygen was pushed out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/95 "2018-03-19T02:58:10Z")
> [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](#): > > I just got here, and I am totally confused. Someone please explain. Nitrogen gas? Aren’t we breathing 80% nitrogen in our air. How is it dangerous? If you cut out the oxygen, yeah, but that’s just plain suffocation. Is that what they are saying? Nitrous oxide would be the perfect. Suffocation without feeling it. But what are they actually talking about? The panicky feeling of running out of oxygen is actually due to a buildup of carbon dioxide. Since you are still exhaling while breathing in nitrogen, you don’t get the CO2 buildup so no panic attacks. Other gases can be used to kill someone, they just have to lack oxygen. Helium, hydrogen, methane, etc. have been used too. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/96 "2018-03-19T13:14:07Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > From what I’ve read, it’s almost certain that there is still pain involved for some time. The head is severed, but the brain still has some oxygen to keep it going for long enough to register pain - and there would no doubt be severe pain from having the neck just lopped off and a big gaping wound in the neck. Highly debatable, and of course very hard to proof. However, it is known that severe blows to the head or spinal cord usually cause instant unconsciousness. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/97 "2018-03-19T13:33:40Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > Highly debatable, and of course very hard to proof. However, it is known that severe blows to the head or spinal cord usually cause instant unconsciousness. This should win some sort of award for post/username combo. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/98 "2018-03-19T14:21:57Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Other gases can be used to kill someone, they just have to lack oxygen. Helium, hydrogen, methane, etc. have been used too. We should use helium, so the condemned’s last words will be in a squeaky Donald Duck voice. Or use the gunshot to the back of the head, except the criminal has to dress up as Old Yeller. Regards, Shodan ---
**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 19, 2018, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/99 "2018-03-19T14:39:03Z")
What is better punishment than having to spend the rest of one’s life inhabiting a miserable dank cell in a roiling broth of regret? ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714/100 "2018-03-19T14:48:10Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Every law on the books gets broken regardless of its penalty. But these laws would be broken a great deal more without the deterrent effect of their penalty. People speed and run red lights all the time, for example, but imagine what the roads would be like without the laws against them and the penalties for doing so. Same with capital crimes. There will always be people who think they can get away with them or who can’t resist momentary murderous impulses. But the deterrent effect of capital punishment serves to keep such instances to a minimum. The fact that murders still occur does not mean that capital punishment is not a deterrent. Countries without capital punishment have less serious crime such as murder, than countries with capital punishment. There is no deterrent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitrogen-execution-now-in-america/810714.md?page=6)