Reply #5: Stress positions are really common, and something you can test for yourself. [View All]

Let me give you an exercise (ACHTUNG: Only try this if you're relatively healthy, don't have joint, muscle or bone problems, don't have heart or other problems which will kill you or hurt you.)

Face a wall, then squat so your thighs are parallel to the ground. Also make sure while you're squatting, your weight is on the balls of your feet. Put your hands behind you as if you were handcuffed. Hold this position as long as you can (time it with a stopwatch if you're hardcore enough) keeping in mind that real detainees would have a guard standing over them, who will knock them upside the head if they move out of this position.

Now, let's say you've been at this for say fifteen minutes (I personally don't even come close to lasting that long,) and your muscles are fatigued all to hell, you're in a lot of pain. Now that guard will "have mercy" on you and tell you that you're allowed to lean forward and rest your forehead against the wall, while remaining in the squat. That, by the way, is a trap - while it relieves the stress on your legs slightly, it's not enough, and eventually, the pressure on your forehead from leaning will become even more painful. See how long you can hold out.

Yes, stress positions, though considered one of the lesser cruelties inflicted in places like Gitmo and Abu Ghraib, are considered by many to be actual torture. Try out the stress position that I described above, for enough time, and you'll see why.

I know, what the hell am I still doing here? I'm close to a nervous breakdown because of the Bush Administration, I should be taking a break like I said I would...