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You know the feeling. You're watching your favorite player, the tension is high, and suddenly, BAM! A questionable foul, a heated exchange, and before you know it, Joel Embiid is slapped with a hefty fine. It's enough to make you wonder about the nature of punishment and its evolution throughout history.
While a fine might sting a little (or a lot, depending on your bank account), it's a far cry from the punishments meted out in the past. Believe it or not, history is full of punishments far more terrifying than a financial penalty.
Let's take a trip back in time and explore some of the most horrifying punishments from history. Don't worry, we'll keep it (relatively) lighthearted!
From Solitary Confinement to Sensory Deprivation
Imagine being confined to a small, dark cell, completely isolated from the outside world. That's the reality of solitary confinement, a punishment still used today, but with origins in much harsher practices. In the 1800s, solitary confinement in the USA often meant no yard time, no therapy, just you, a bible, and the deafening silence.
But solitary confinement could get even more extreme. Immurement, for example, meant being literally walled up in a space, sometimes with just enough room for air, and left to die.
And then there's white torture, a psychological torment that makes solitary confinement look like a walk in the park. Imagine being surrounded by nothing but white: white walls, white clothes, white food, white light, 24/7. The lack of sensory stimulation can drive a person to the brink of madness.
Public Humiliation and Brutal Rituals
Remember that time you tripped in public and wished the earth would swallow you whole? Now imagine that moment, but instead of a harmless stumble, you're covered in hot tar and feathers. That's tarring and feathering, a punishment popular during the American Revolution, designed to inflict both pain and public humiliation.
Speaking of public spectacles, let's not forget the bizarre and terrifying practice of trial by water. Accused of witchcraft? No problem, just tie her up and throw her in the river! If she floats, she's a witch; if she drowns, well, at least she's innocent. Talk about a lose-lose situation!
Torture Devices That Will Make You Cringe
From the gruesome pear of anguish, designed to painfully pry open mouths, to the agonizing foot roasting that could leave bones charred and crumbled, the creativity of our ancestors when it came to torture knew no bounds.
And let's not forget the simple yet effective screw. Thumb screws, foot screws, even head screws – these devices were used to crush bones and inflict unimaginable pain.
A Sign of Progress?
While a fine for a basketball player might seem harsh in the heat of the moment, it's a far cry from the brutal punishments of the past. So, the next time you find yourself questioning the fairness of a technical foul, take a moment to appreciate how far we've come.
From public executions to elaborate torture devices, the history of punishment is a dark and often disturbing journey. But it's also a reminder of our capacity for both cruelty and compassion, and the importance of striving for a more just and humane world.
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