The stunningly simple idea that could change solitary confinement as we know it

[hunter]

3. I can't find the biologist who said it first...

... but plants have to be more complex, even more intelligent than animals, because they can't simply run away from trouble.

But I'm not sure about the analogy. Everything about the prison system sucks.

Authoritarian punishment is a useless tool for behavioral modification. It can only make a relationship worse.

Punishing a kid, or a dog, or even someone who is not fit to live in free society without some kind of supervision, is about as useful as punishing a potted plant. Or maybe worse. A "bad" potted plant won't bite you back, unless maybe they are able to conjure up some kind of anti-human toxin we don't know about yet... so maybe be nice to your houseplants.

But weeds and bacteria and insect pests sure as hell will make our human life miserable as we eventually end up with herbicide, antibiotic, or insecticide resistant adversaries. Just as with using punishment you end up with punishment-resistant children, criminals, dogs, horses, etc.

People laugh at my "organic" approach to life, my claims that I've taught the ants to stay out of my kitchen, or that I rely on the little birds to eat all the aphids in my garden, and the European starlings to eat the European snails and slugs, and the house spiders to eat the flies.

But it really does work. If you want cockroaches, fleas, or aphids, the most obnoxious pests, then go ahead, use plenty of insecticides. It kills off their competition.

If you want kids who hate you, or worse, are dull and subservient to you and all other so-called "authority," then punish them.

If you want violent bloodthirsty drug gangs, then support the drug warriors.

If you want violent criminals, then hire violent cops and prison guards.

You get back what you give.