| RavenBlog |
|
| Comments on Wednesday 2 October 2002: |
| Somewhat related and a bit more vague - optional prisons for people who haven't committed a crime. An optional prison would provide similar life-sustaining materials to those offered by a normal prison, and allow access to a certain level of working materials - out-of-date computers, a library, a machine shop, and so forth. Occupants of the optional prison may leave at any time, with the cost of their stay billed to them later in a similar manner to student loans. It could prevent crimes of desperation, provide time for self-education for those willing to work to learn but unable to get tuition, provide a block of undisturbed time for people to write a book or a piece of software, and so forth. And it would be cheaper to operate than a normal prison, since it would need only loose security. In essence, a little bit like university with campus accommodation, or perhaps like medieval monasteries. What have I not considered that makes this a bad idea?
[10:10] |
| RavenBlack |
| Monasteries, I realise, is probably a better analogy than prisons. Non-religious monasteries, where you can learn whatever you want, not just Shaolin kung-fu. Though Shaolin kung-fu would be nice too. And zombies. |
| Tom |
| I draw the line at zombies learning kung-fu. Bits would fall off. |
| C. Copperpot |
| Hraaahhh! *CRUNCH!* *SNAP* Urrrrrgggggh.... |
| Kevan |
| Mm, essentially an agnostic monastery and homeless hostel - be good if you could get it running pretty much self-sufficiently. I'm not sure whether the lack of a revered by-the-book belief system would cause it to crumble apart, though, being overridden with individual's opinions on things. Depends what entry criteria you impose, perhaps. |
| RavenBlack |
| Or no entry criteria, but residence criteria. Anyone's allowed in, but you'll have to break bricks with your head if you make a noise in the silent zones. To exaggerate an example. |
| bluejoh |
| If it worked like Ford Open Prison then I would definitely go for it! |