# Would you volunteer to be an executioner (or worse?) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 21, 2014, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994 "2014-10-21T07:07:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/21 "2014-10-21T21:25:30Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > In the context of what he said, I believe his point was that he would bury someone alive who had done the same to a child. Yep, I’m a dummy. I still couldn’t do it though. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/22 "2014-10-21T22:21:14Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No. I don’t have the right – nor the inclination. I have both. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/23 "2014-10-21T22:46:03Z")
In the US, at least, I have enough confidence that the system has found someone guilty and could carry that out with a clean conscience. Would I volunteer though? Probably not. I’ve got better things to do, and the more personal my desire to kill someone, the more I’d NOT be the one pulling the switch. If I did it, I’d be a neutral enforcer of public policy. Somewhere else, though, like North Korea? No way. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/24 "2014-10-21T23:08:25Z")
Sounds like a good way to get PTSD, no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/25 "2014-10-21T23:29:52Z")
I would really rather not, but if the lot fell to me, and I was certain he was guilty, I would do it. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/26 "2014-10-21T23:47:24Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > Sounds like a good way to get PTSD, no thanks. Yeah, I don’t care what the context is, taking another human being’s life has _got_ to leave a very heavy mark on the executioner’s mind and soul. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/27 "2014-10-22T00:03:26Z")
What, is [Milgram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment) running another lab? Who gave that quack funding? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/28 "2014-10-22T00:28:12Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Yeah, I don’t care what the context is, taking another human being’s life has _got_ to leave a very heavy mark on the executioner’s mind and soul. Right on. Punishment always leaves a mark on the punisher, no matter how just the punishment is. And the more extreme the punishment, the deeper the mark. > [@Nietzsche](#): > > if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you I don’t need those kind of sleepless nights. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/29 "2014-10-22T00:53:19Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Right on. Punishment always leaves a mark on the punisher, no matter how just the punishment is. And the more extreme the punishment, the deeper the mark. The problem for me is you’ll either like it or not, and either of those is a big problem. If you liked it, for example - if you started to get a kick out of the violence? Start increasing the pain you cause by increments. Then before you know it you’re an unrecognisable sadistic thug shunned by decent society. Or you don’t like it and are haunted by your actions, seek oblivion in the bottle or have to live with your mark in other ways. I can’t see any good outcome of being granted this sort of licence. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/30 "2014-10-22T02:35:28Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > In the context of what he said, I believe his point was that he would bury someone alive who had done the same to a child. You could still beat him a little with the shovel before you buried him. > [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > The problem for me is you’ll either like it or not, and either of those is a big problem. If you liked it, for example - if you started to get a kick out of the violence? Start increasing the pain you cause by increments. Then before you know it you’re an unrecognisable sadistic thug shunned by decent society. > > Or you don’t like it and are haunted by your actions, seek oblivion in the bottle or have to live with your mark in other ways. I can’t see any good outcome of being granted this sort of licence. Pfft. First World problems. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/31 "2014-10-22T03:17:02Z")
I think the jury should have to carry it like good ol’ Ned Stark. Then we might see some different verdicts, lots of people support the death penalty but only if they can wash their hands of it. I am of course an Aussie but I could not do it as I don’t support the death penalty in any form except in war and then it’s only combatants in actual battle that should get killed, POWs should be locked up. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/32 "2014-10-22T03:21:58Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > As for the person above in the thread who said that was abhorrent…I completely respect your opinion. The problem I have with your OP is that from the tone of it, it seems like you would _enjoy_ doing it. You aren’t just saying, for instance : “I believe in death penalty, and someone has to do the deed”. I find the idea of enjoying someone painful death disturbing, regardless how vile the person (and assuming that we magically know he’s guilty with an absolute certainty). I seriously believe that you should reconsider and wonder if being enthusiastic at the idea of torturing someone is something you really want to be. Also, I wonder if you have really thought it through. The guy you’re imagining burying alive isn’t going to looks like evil is pouring out of the pores of his skin. He will look ordinary, he will probably plead and beg or scream, or cry, he probably will swear he never did what he’s been sentenced for, and so on…Would you really react to this in the way you’re picturing yourself in your “revenge fantasy”? ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_York](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_York](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_York)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/33 "2014-10-22T03:48:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I would really rather not, but if the lot fell to me, and I was certain he was guilty, I would do it. What if SHE was as guilty as hell, and a 20 year old Swedish pole dancer? Still do it? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/34 "2014-10-22T03:51:50Z")
> [@Duke\_of\_York](#): > > What if SHE was as guilty as hell, and a 20 year old Swedish pole dancer? Still do it? Sounds like a good night to me. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Pfft. First World problems. And another thing, how come I ain’t getting paid?! ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/35 "2014-10-22T05:36:23Z")
For those who would: what’s in it for you? ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/36 "2014-10-22T06:08:26Z")
What part of an atheist’s soul does this mark go on? “First world problem.” This ↑ ↑ ↑ For all those that are so sure of what it will do to me how I will feel what will happen to me as time goes by… You are all a day late & a dollar short. You do not have nor will you ever have any influence on my mental health, feeling, effects & affects of my life in this area. - I used to have 1000 lines in the sand I would not cross. I have crossed 999 and the last one I have bent the hell out of.\* ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/37 "2014-10-22T12:13:22Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > … > And the second thing is just something I couldn’t adequately respond to outside the Pit, but suffice to say, it’s an abhorrent, repulsive desire you’ve expressed there, a truly ugly thing to say. I am also against the death penalty. I would not pull the switch, and I doubt I could actually kill someone no matter what they’d done (barring them being an immediate threat to my safety or that of my kids, of course). But someone who buried kids alive, or otherwise hurt kids? Yeah, it’s an abhorrent, repulsive desire, truly ugly… but I’d sure consider it. You don’t hurt kids. You. Just. Fucking. Don’t. Hurt. Kids. The idea of ripping them apart with my bare hands has a very visceral satisfactory feeling. I am reasonably sure I would not do it, but oh boy do I understand the desire. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/38 "2014-10-22T12:41:26Z")
What does the job pay? ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/39 "2014-10-22T14:08:15Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > The problem I have with your OP is that from the tone of it, it seems like you would _enjoy_ doing it. You aren’t just saying, for instance : “I believe in death penalty, and someone has to do the deed”. I find the idea of enjoying someone painful death disturbing, regardless how vile the person (and assuming that we magically know he’s guilty with an absolute certainty). I seriously believe that you should reconsider and wonder if being enthusiastic at the idea of torturing someone is something you really want to be. > > Also, I wonder if you have really thought it through. The guy you’re imagining burying alive isn’t going to looks like evil is pouring out of the pores of his skin. He will look ordinary, he will probably plead and beg or scream, or cry, he probably will swear he never did what he’s been sentenced for, and so on…Would you really react to this in the way you’re picturing yourself in your “revenge fantasy”? That’s why I said ‘a handful.’ There ARE a handful I _might_ get some satisfaction out of. And I freely admit that after putting together my “Saw” dungeon out of 10 people, probably 9 are walking out unscathed…some for the very reasons you’ve mentioned. Hypothetically, even though I’ve researched the \*\*\*\* out of the case, maybe some guys will plant a germ of doubt and get to go back to ‘normal death row’. Maybe some guys, even though in my research they were unremorseful bastards, will be closer to old man Dussander than Hitler\* and will walk out unscathed. But there would be a ‘handful’ of people who better learn to hold their breathes for a long time. \*Apt Pupil reference. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994/40 "2014-10-22T14:23:35Z")
Well, if your goal is infliction of true agony, rather than grand guignol theatrics, that can be accomplished with a minimum of apparatus and spatter. You’d want to take the time to learn a bit about the human body itself and some emergency first aid. You don’t want to cause a lot of unnecessary and messy damage as you are pursuing your goal. You also don’t want the client to go into shock and die on you before s/he has fully experienced the mandated punishment. While volunteerism is nice and shows a laudable spirit of civic pride, I think this is still something best left to those with skill, talent, and training. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-volunteer-to-be-an-executioner-or-worse/701994.md?page=3)