slackercracker

January 31, 2009

Hangers

Filed under: Useful stuff — slackercracker @ 1:54 pm

http://www.valetmag.com/the-handbook/clothes/hangers/index.php

You obviously care about your clothes. Treat them right by outfitting your closet with the right hangers for the job.

 

 

The Good
 

Shirt

Known as ‘crystal clear hangers,’ these are the same ones used in department stores—and for good reason. Crafted from styrene plastic, they’re durable and retain the garments’ form. Plus, the swiveling metal hook makes it easy to hang pieces in either direction without having to take them off the hanger.

 

Pants

Whether you’re hanging flat front trousers, jeans or khakis, fold in half lengthwise and clip them by the waistband.

 

Suit

A suit requires its own hanger. It should be wide, with contoured arms to keep the jacket’s shoulder shape and a bar on which to drape the pants. Look for a ribbed bar that will keep your pants in place without the use of clamps.

 

Coat

Your coat takes a beating from the elements. You’ll drag it in dirty and hang it up wet. Take care of it indoors by storing it on a sturdy wooden hanger to help support the weight and protect the shape.

 

 

The
Bad
 

Those cheap, tubular plastic hangers—which now come in a rainbow of colors—will ruin your clothes. The thinness and 45-degree angle of the arm means clothes are often stretched and creased.

The
Ugly
 

Wire hangers have their purposes. Namely, summer camp craft projects and breaking into cars. Instead of letting them infiltrate your closet, put your freshly-pressed shirts onto their real hangers as soon as you get home from the cleaners.

The American List

Filed under: Culture, Fashion design — slackercracker @ 1:48 pm

http://acontinuouslean.com/the-american-list/

There are many Made in the USA lists throughout the internet, nearly all of them tacky and in poor taste. These awful websites have led me to compile a list of stylish and cool brands that make their goods in America. One of my goals with this is to make it easier to locate and buy domestically produced apparel products. Another motivating factor is my desire for things Made in the USA to be embraced by a younger, more stylish consumer.

Note that the * symbol after a brand means that only select goods are made here in America. Please feel free to suggest additions to mw [at] acontinuouslean [dot] com

***

—ACCESSORIES—

Alexander Olch — New York, New York — neckties, accessories

Black Sheep and Prodigal Sons — New York, New York — accessories

David Hart & Co. — New York, New York — neckties

Faribault Woolen Mills — Faribault, Minnesota — blankets

Geier Glove Co. — Centralia, Washington — leather gloves

Leather Man Limited — Essex, Connecticut — belts, accessories

Rogues Gallery — Portland, Maine — bags, shoes*

Swans Island — Northport, Maine — blankets

Walz Caps — Vista, California — bicycle hats

The Welch Company Inc. — Portland, Oregon — suspenders

Wiley Belts — Charlottesville, Virginia — belts, leather goods

—BAGS—

Acorn Bags — California — cycling bags

Billykirk — Pennsylvania — bags, leather goods

Buzzline — Fort Pierce, Flordia — bags

Duluth Pack — Duluth, Minnesota — bags

Estex Mfg. Co. — Fairburn, Georgia — bags

Johnson Woolen Mills — Johnson, Vermont — bags, clothing, accessories

J. W. Hulme Co. — St. Paul, Minnesota — bags, accessories

Klein Tools — Lincolnshire, Illinois — bags, accessories

LL Bean — Freeport, Maine — bags*

Makr — Orlando, Florida — Bags, accessories, leather goods

Tough Traveler — Schenectady, New York — bags

Wm. J. Mills & Co. — Greenport, New York — bags

—BICYCLES—

A.N.T. Bicycles Holliston, Massachusetts — bicycles, bicycle accessories

Bilenky Cycle Works — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — bicycles

Brooklyn Machine Works — Brooklyn, New York — bicycles

Cannondale — Bethel, Connecticut — bicycles*

Freeman Transport — Missoula, Montana — bicycles, accessories

Outlier — Brooklyn, New York — cycling clothing

Phil Wood —San Jose, California — bicycle components

Richard Sachs Cycles — Chester, Connecticut — bicycles

Townsend Bicycles — Monrovia, California — bicycles

Vanilla Bicycles — Portland, Oregon — bicycles

Velo Orange — Annapolis, Maryland — bicycles, accessories*

—CLOTHING—

Anderson-Little — Tamarac, Flordia — navy blazers

American Apparel — Los Angeles, California — knits, wovens, clothing

Band of Outsiders — Los Angeles, California — clothing, accessories

Berle Manufacturing — Charleston, South Carolina trousers

Bill’s Khakis — Reading, Pennsylvania — khaki pants, clothing

Birdwell Beach Britches Santa Ana, California — swimwear

Brooks Brothers — New York, New York — tailored clothing, sportswear, footwear, accessories*

Bemidji Woolen Mills — Bemidji, Minnesota — clothing, blankets

Camber — Norristown, Pennsylvania — tee shirts, sweatshirts

Carhartt — Dearborn, Michigan — workwear, outerwear*

CC Filson — Seattle, Washington — outwear, bags, accessories*

Centralia Knitting Mills — Centralia, Washington — outerwear

Engineered Garments — New York, New York — clothing, bags, accessories

Freeman’s Sporting Club — New York, New York — tailored clothing, sportswear, accessories

Gitman Brothers — Ashland, Pennsylvania — woven shirts

Hart Schaffner Marx — Chicago, Illinois — tailored clothing

Hertling Trousers — Brooklyn, New York — pants

Hickey Freeman — Rochester, New York — tailored clothing*

Individualized — Perth Amboy, New Jersey — woven shirts

J. Press — New Haven, Connecticut — tailored clothing, sportswear, accessories*

Loden Dager — New York, New York — tailored clothing, sportswear

Obedient Sons — New York, New York — tailored clothing, sportswear, accessories

Oxxford Clothing — Chicago, Illinois — tailored clothing

Pendleton Woolen Mills — Portland, Oregon — sportswear, blankets*

Pointer Brand — Bristol, Tennessee — clothing, denim, workwear

Rag & Bone — New York, New York — clothing, accessories*

Round HouseShawnee, Oklahoma — denim, workwear

Southwick — Lawrence, Massachusetts — tailored clothing

Schott NYC — New York, New York — outerwear

Sterlingwear — Boston, Massachusetts — outerwear

Steven Alan — New York, New York — sportswear, accessories*

Stormy Kromer — Ironwood, Michigan — hats, clothing, outerwear

Thom Browne — New York, New York — tailored clothing, sportswear

Unis — New York, New York — sportswear, outerwear, accessories

Woolrich Woolen Mills Collection — Woolrich, Pennsylvania — clothing, accessories

Wrath Arcane — Cleveland, Ohio — sportswear

—DENIM—

Crate — Los Angeles, Californiadenim, outerwear

Earnest Sewn — New York, New York — denim

Jean Shop — New York, New York — denim

Levis — San Francisco, California — denim*

Rogan — New York, New York — denim

RRL — New York, New York — denim

Spurr — New York, New York — denim

The Stronghold — Los Angeles, California — denim

—FOOTWEAR—

Alden — Middleborough, Massachusetts — footwear

Allen-EdmondsPort Washington, Wisconsin — footwear*

Arrow Moccasin Company — Hudson, Massachusetts — footwear

Chippewa Boots — Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin — footwear

Cove Shoe Company — Martinsburg, Pennsylvania — boots, shoes

Danner — Portland, Oregon — footwear

E. Vogel — New York, New York — boots, shoes

Fox River Mills — Appleton, Wisconsin — socks

LL Bean — Freeport, Maine — boots*

New Balance — Boston, Massachusetts — athletic shoes*

Oliver Moore — New York, New York — custom shoes

Quoddy Trail Moccasin Company — Perry, Maine — footwear

Red Wing — Red Wing, Minnesota — footwear

Russell Moccasin Co. — Berlin, Wisconsin — footwear

Vincent & Edgar — New York, New York — bespoke shoes

Weinbrenner — Merrill, Wisconsin — footwear

Wesco Boots — Scappoose, Oregon — footwear

White’s Boots — Spokane, Washington — footwear

WigwamSheboygan, Wisconsin — socks

Yuketen — Hermosa Beach, California — boots, shoes

—OBJECTS—

Baxter of California — Los Angeles, California — men’s grooming products

Buck Knives — Post Falls, Idaho — knives

Field Notes — Portland, Oregon — note pads, writing instruments

Fisher Space Pen — Boulder City, Nevada — writing instruments

Leatherman — Portland, Oregon — Multi-Tools

Mag Lite — Ontario, California — flash lights

Springbar Tents — Salt Lake City, Utah — canvas tents

Steam Cheese Burger Chest — Meriden, Connecticut — cheese burger cookers

Tervis Tumblers — Venice, Flordia — plastic cups

The United States Playing Card Company — Cincinnati, Ohio — playing cards

Vornado Fans — Andover, Kansas — fans

Wilson Bohannan Co. — Marion, Ohio — padlocks

W.R. Case & Sons— Bradford, Pennsylvania — knives

Zeroll — Fort Pierce, Flordia — ice cream scoops

Zippo — Bradford, Pennsylvania — lighters

January 22, 2009

Blogs and photos of 2 Taiwan models

Filed under: Guilty pleasure — slackercracker @ 7:10 pm

January 21, 2009

The complete guide to marriage

Filed under: relationship — slackercracker @ 6:59 pm

How to break free from the single trap: seven tips

Filed under: Useful stuff, relationship — slackercracker @ 6:53 pm

Are you stuck in the lonely hearts’ club? The marital therapist Andrew G. Marshall says finding love is just a matter of changing your tactics

For some, being single is no longer a natural phase between the end of one relationship and the beginning of another but somewhere they have become trapped. In my new book The Single Trap I look at the underlying causes: how the internet might provide more choice but makes it harder to choose; how having divorced parents makes it more difficult to trust; and the social changes that mean we meet fewer prospective partners.

However, it is possible to break free from the single trap. The first step is to take a fresh look at yourself. Often the very things that we think protect us from getting hurt make it harder for new people to come into our lives and because like attracts like it is important to balance ourselves. The second step involves changing the way that we search for love, to become more open-minded, learning the art of mixing and making more fulfilling emotional connections, as the extract on the facing page shows.

In my work as a marital therapist I always start by taking a history of my client’s relationships. Most people knew each other casually, or even distantly, before going out together. Work has been another low-risk way to meet people; other couples have a shared interest. The key advantage of meeting someone casually — as a friend of a friend, through work or sharing a hobby — is that all the defences are down. You are not meeting a potential life partner, but chatting for 30 seconds waiting for the lift. The stakes are so low there is no need for game-playing and you are more likely to be yourself.

What I’m suggesting in effect is a return to the roots of British courting: parading, mixing, and saying “how do you do?” At parties, it’s not looking for a partner but for an interesting conversation, which might lead to a recommendation for an art exhibition and getting talking to someone else at the gallery. It’s about joining a poetry class, not to find a potential date, but because you love words and then going to a classmate’s coffee-shop performance and being introduced to someone from his or her workplace.

Mixing is about being open to new ideas, new opportunities and ultimately new people. The good news is that not only will these seven skills opposite help you to meet more people, they will also undo some of the bad habits acquired through dating.

THE SEVEN STEPS TO FINDING A PARTNER

1. Riding the flow

Have you ever been so wrapped up in something that when you looked at your watch, time had evaporated? Psychologists call this “riding the flow”. Not only is it extremely pleasurable, but your mood is expansive, tolerant and creative. Even better, we forget ourselves and are less self-conscious and self-critical. Not only is this the perfect state of mind to meet a partner, but the chances are increased dramatically; happy people are a pleasure to be around. People get more satisfaction from activities outside work — the most common examples are sport or exercise, or satisfaction could come from joining a choir or volunteering. So how do you find your own personal flow? It must be something you find personally rewarding and which maintains your interest. Set yourself small, realistic goals. It is better to aim at learning 20 French words a week than to speak French in time for your holiday. Seek to help others rather than just looking after number one. You will reap the personal benefits. Research shows that volunteering is the second greatest source of joy, after dancing, and a good way of meeting people. As your aim is to find a partner, look for ways to flow with other people. If hours disappear when you are playing the piano, accompany the local amateur dramatic society. If you enjoy squash, join a league.

2. Six degrees of separation

Frigyes Karinthy, a Hungarian author, claimed that we can link ourselves to any other human being on Earth using no more than five intermediaries, one of whom is a personal acquaintance. The idea was tested in a Sixties experiment by a social psychologist who mailed random people and asked them to forward a parcel to someone who might forward it closer to the final recipient. The average number of times the parcel was forwarded was six. But what does all this mean for mixing and finding your ideal partner? Firstly, the more friends and acquaintances, the greater chances of meeting him or her. Market researcher John T. Molloy interviewed 2,500 couples and found that women about to marry knew significantly more people than women with no proposal in sight. Secondly, six degrees of separation underlines how important it is to take every opportunity to talk to people. Look back at your previous partners. How many times did you meet someone who was a friend of a friend? Even if you met by chance, did you have acquaintances in common?

3. Becoming open-hearted

What is the best predictor for whether two people will be attracted? When I put this question to acquaintances, there was a clear consensus: looks. Yet if you look around your own circle of friends, you will find ordinary and even plain people who are never short of dates, and gorgeous ones who seem doomed to remain single. So what’s going on? Fortunately, social psychologists have always been fascinated by what attracts people to each other and the key predictor is not looks but the sheer amount of contact time. We expect to be attracted to the unknown, but are most likely to fall for the known. Social psychologists have found a second key predictor of mutual attraction: similarity. Although we might occasionally like a challenge, ultimately we choose someone similar in one or more of the following ways: attitudes, personality, demographic characteristics and lifestyle. So how do you move from a spark of interest for someone you see on a regular basis to a relationship? Becoming open-hearted Contrary to many people’s expectations, personality is more important than looks in attracting a partner; students were asked to rate qualities in possible mates, and the results were: 1) Kind and considerate; 2) Socially exciting; 3) Artistic/intelligent; 4) Easy-going/adaptable.

So how do you come across as open-hearted? Smile: This will not only make you seem warm but approachable too. Maintain good eye contact — people who cannot look us directly in the eye are considered to be lying. Be positive: We like people who make us feel good about the world, and ourselves. Appear interested: This includes nodding the head, repeating back key phrases and, most powerful of all, identifying feelings (“you must have been horrified”).

4. Flirting

If you have been out of the singles game for a while, flirting can be particularly daunting. In essence, there are three key ingredients to successful flirting: encouraging body language, easy-flowing conversation and confidence.

Encouraging body language Leaning slightly towards someone — although not too close — shows interest. Nodding signals not only encouragement but also demonstrates involvement in the story that you’re being told. Blinking can also set a romantic mood. We blink every two or three seconds and increasing the rate will increase your partner’s too. Conversely slowing down a blink can be sexually attractive as it mimics a wink. Mirroring — matching your body posture to someone else’s — can amplify intimacy.

Easy-flowing conversation Value small talk: It’s a good way of warming up for a more interesting conversation and provides a breathing space to relax. When using small talk add extra conversational hooks: “At least the rain will bring on things in my allotment.” Look for areas of conversational connection. Echo the other person’s language. Don’t block topics A rant against dogs fouling the pavements will not build rapport. Never underestimate the importance of asking questions. A good listener will always be appreciated.

Confidence We like confident, outgoing people Make a list of three things under the following headings — parts of my body that I like; positive aspects of my personality; past achievements; past compliments and my potential. Check your language in case you are unknowingly running yourself down. Be upbeat: When you are interested and excited, your face muscles become more animated and more attractive. Confidence is not about being perfect. It comes from knowledge and experience, and through achieving small goals.

5. Taking a risk

When adopting this mixing skill, the first job is to reconsider people that you already know but have dismissed on possibly spurious grounds. John T.Molloy found that 20 per cent of the women he interviewed coming out of a marriage bureau had not liked their intended when they first met him. However, something made them reconsider and take a risk. The second way of taking a risk is to suspend judgment for longer and give your unconscious time to breathe and decide. If you have been thinking about someone in a new way, it is probably time to see more of them. This might be officially seen as a date, or possibly an extension of your normal routine. I would suggest you follow these guidelines:

No introspection on the date :Just enjoy the moment. Let the experience brew: Try to avoid making a judgment and instead sleep on it. Ultimately, your unconscious will tell you if there is a true match But your unconscious can talk only if you are prepared to listen — and that’s impossible if you’re too busy analysing. By waiting until the next morning, you will have avoided the snap judgment and stretched your normal window of decision-making.

6. Do as you would be done by

We frequently judge on the most superficial grounds, but demand that others consider our character and personality, not just our looks, weight and bank balance. If men knew the problems of women (who have traditionally supposed to wait to be asked) and women knew men’s fears (looking foolish), we would be kinder. These are the new rules of seeing someone: Both men and women have an equal opportunity to ask each other out. The policy should be, generally, to accept an invitation. First outings should be small events. If you promise to call or contact, it is your responsibility to do so. Whoever suggests the outing pays.

7. Be philosophical

Although we think of philosophy as being dominated by dead men with beards, it is in essence about making sense of the world around us. We have to accept the things over which we have no control and concentrate on what we can influence: our own behaviour. This means embracing all of the seven skills of mixing and, in particular, taking a risk. Sometimes when we stop trying to control — and when we least expect it — love comes to us.

© Andrew G. Marshall 2009. Extracted from The Single Trap: The Two-Step Guide to Escaping it and Finding Lasting Love (Bloomsbury, £12.99), published on February 2. The book is available for £11.69, free p&p, from Times Books; tel 0845 2712134, timesonline.co.uk/booksfirst

Video about Understanding body language

Filed under: Useful stuff — slackercracker @ 6:52 pm

January 17, 2009

Feeling For … White Jeans

Filed under: Fashion design — slackercracker @ 5:47 pm

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/feeling-for-white-jeans/

Ahead of his time, Paul Newman rode the white jeans trend in “Sometimes a Great Notion” (1971). (Everett Collection)

Bruce Pask, T Magazine’s men’s fashion director, writes on style every two weeks.

I know, I know: summer steaminess, white jeans … it’s a no-brainer. Still, I have to say that this is the first time I’ve been feeling for white jeans in quite a few years — they previously felt a little too polished, or not polished enough. White jeans got lost in the (mini) chasm between proper trousers and blue jeans. But this season I’m loving them with desert boots (surprise!) to keep them from looking a bit too brunchy. I’m also liking them worn with blazers, collared shirts and ties; I enjoy the crispness of that look.

I was a bit surprised by what a challenge it was to find the right white jeans: not too baggy (we did say crisp!), with a nice straight leg. I thought that white Levi’s 501s would be perfect, but the fit was not quite right for white. J. Crew only had a lightweight linen five-pocket version in the store. Step away from the linen jeans and walk out. I repeat: step away. It’s not flattering on most guys and wants to be worn with sandals, which makes it too “country-weekend-in-the-city.” However, when I mentioned this to a friend who works at J. Crew, he said to go online, where they have a nice straight leg white jean. A.P.C. also makes a great pair: nice bright white, no contrast stitching, nicely slim, but not overly skinny.

By the way, I’m still cuffing my jeans, including these white ones. And one more thing: I’m very excited about wearing them in the fall. Those traditional rules about not wearing white after Labor Day absolutely do not apply to white jeans — they are a staple. I love white jeans with a camel coat or sweater; navy is also a fantastic pairing. So, even if we can already, unfortunately, smell the waning of summer, I’m feeling for white jeans.

FIVE KEYS TO WEARING WHITE JEANS

Filed under: Fashion design — slackercracker @ 5:42 pm

http://men.style.com/gq/fashion/landing?id=content_5507

5. Bet on Black
White jeans never look better than when paired with black—be it a polo shirt or a V-neck sweater.

4. Get Your Footing
White sneakers work great with white jeans, as long as the sneaks have some detailing. Wear all-white tennis shoes and you’ll look like a male orderly.

3. Bring on the Sand
White jeans say summer. Bring a pair with you when you head to the beach for a week and wear them with everything from flip-flops to an unbuttoned shirt.

2. Lose the Belt
Do like most of the guys here and wear your white jeans without a belt for a lighter, leaner look. Just make sure the jeans fit well.

1. Pick the Right Coat
And go ahead and throw on a suit jacket or sport coat. But remember: If you want to maintain the clean, minimal look of the white jeans, opt for a jacket neutral in color and without a pattern.

路西法效應》(The Lucifer Effect)

Filed under: Culture, Text/Literature — slackercracker @ 3:07 pm

http://wilddog125.blogspot.com/2008/10/lucifer-effect.html

今年3月,商周翻譯了一本書-《路西法效應》(The Lucifer Effect)-一本深度剖析複雜的人性,全盤並且深入解釋「情境力量」影響個人行為的概念。作者是30多年前主導一項備受爭議又極具經典的「史丹福監獄實驗」(Stanford Prison Experiment)的社會心理學家菲利浦‧金巴多教授(Philip G. Zimbardo),該實驗有如一發震撼彈,引爆全球心理學界重新審視以往對人性的天真看法。作者除在書中撰述該實驗,也呼應從到「伊拉克監獄虐囚案」三十多年來觀察到的社會現象。

至於什麼是路西法效應呢?就先從誰是路西法(Lucifer)說起好了…
根據中文版維基百科的定義,路西法是《聖經》中撒旦的別名,出現於《以賽亞書14:12》。Lucifer是一個拉丁字,由lux(光,所有格 lucis)和 ferre(帶來)所組成,意思是光之使者。根據基督教的觀點,路西法曾經是天堂中地位最高的天使(熾天使),在未墮落前任天使長一職。由於他過度驕傲自信,在上帝選出聖子耶穌之際,意圖與神同等,帶領三分之一的天使叛變,這場叛變,也就是有名的天使大戰(War in Heaven)。最後戰敗被鎖入天使之獄,其後亦被放逐並失去了所曾擁有的榮耀。後來,路西法在地獄重新建立了一個類似天堂的新世界,在那裡成為了魔王-撒旦,而跟隨路西法的墮落天使則成為惡魔(Demon)。(路西法亦出現在古希臘神話、文學作品、以及其他傳說故事當中,可以參考中文版維基百科。)
原本是善良的天使,在種種環境因素之下成為墮落天使,甚至所謂的「撒旦」。由善變惡,這就是該書命名為路西法效應的原因。

1971年,時任職於史丹福大學心理學系的金巴多教授在心理系大樓地下室的模擬監獄內進行了一項聲名狼藉的「史丹福監獄實驗」:他先以標準的生理與心理測驗挑選了24位身心健康、情緒穩定的志願大學男生,隨機指派一半的人扮演「囚犯」,另一半則是「獄卒」(看守者)的角色。扮演獄卒者都穿上卡其制服,戴上反光太陽眼鏡,並配戴有警棍與警哨;扮演囚犯的學生則穿上棉製工作服,腳穿塑膠脫鞋,以鐵鍊拴住兩腳,並只得到最低限度的飲食和醫學護理。獄卒可以各種方法來維持監獄的秩序,但絕對不可以打人。

實驗開始的第一天大家還相安無事,但囚犯們第二天便發起了一場暴動,撕掉囚服上的編號、拒絕服從命令、取笑獄卒。金巴多教授要求獄卒們採取措施控制住局面,而他們照著做了。隨著時間的演變,一些令人震驚的現象漸漸出現,例如:獄卒對待囚犯的限制與管束越來越多,態度也越來越殘忍;他們限制了囚犯的食物供給、休息時間以及體罰,接著管制不聽話或態度不佳的囚犯不准刷牙、不准上廁所;甚至用連坐法及群體的壓力來管束特殊份子或不順從者。獄卒們更不時地設計一些新招式來使囚犯覺得不舒服或恥辱(空手清洗馬桶),不僅剝奪了學生囚犯的基本自由(關禁閉),而且也剝奪了他們的自尊感(脫光囚犯的衣服)。更令人驚訝的是,連囚犯們也似乎忘了他們只不過是在進行一項心理實驗,有些人開始暗自悲傷,有些人出現激烈的情緒起伏,有些人被動地與警衛對抗,有些人甚至想到要逃獄,但就是少有人想到要中止實驗。
原本計畫要進行兩個星期的實驗,由於獄卒對囚犯的虐待,及囚犯的過度投入,情況逐漸失控的情況下,不得不於第六天提前叫停。(其間有2名囚犯在情感上受到重創,提前退出實驗。)

在這一個實驗中,學生們只是隨機地被指派擔任獄卒或囚犯的角色。但在六天的實驗中,受試者都強烈地感受到角色規範的影響,努力地去扮演他們被指定的角色。許多擔任獄卒角色的學生表示,他們很訝異自己是那麼容易地就以控制他人為樂,當他們穿上警衛制服時,就自然地使他們從被動的大學生轉變為富有攻擊性的監獄警衛。而擔任囚犯的學生,則訝異自己只會在情緒上起波動,被動地順從或反抗獄卒的管束及處罰,卻忘了這只是演戲。

路西法效應在心理學領域的應用上範圍非常廣,涉及到犯罪心理學、社會心理學……等。在不同的環境因素之下,一個正常和樂的家庭會如何?一個精明領導的主管會怎麼使效率達到最高?檢察官起訴犯人的心態會如何?金巴多試圖用他的實驗解釋很多問題,包括飛行事故、人在面對惡行時的無動於衷、護士對病人的不當處置以及自殺式襲擊者和恐怖分子的行為。由於對自己角色的認識,護士會過度服從醫生的安排,哪怕明知醫生開出的劑量遠遠大於規定的劑量;有四分之一的飛行事故的起因都是由於副機長過於服從機長的錯誤判斷…。金巴多認為,在日常生活中,人們也常受到社會角色的規範與束縛,努力地想要去扮演自己所認定的角色關係劇本,角色其實決定了我們生活中大部份的態度及行為。如果角色劇本包含了地位和權力的差異時(例如父母—子女、老師—學生、醫生—病人、上司—下屬及傳統上的男性—女性關係),這種權力上的差異更容易影響個人思考、情感及行動的形成及改變。而當一個人太過於受社會的角色劇本所規範時,就越不可能展現自己的本性,越不可能擔任自己的主人,而行為也會越來越受到外在環境的宰割。因此,金巴多認為鎖住人類自由的,常常不是監獄那道有形的高牆,而是人類本身對角色規範的認定,所帶來的心靈枷鎖。

為什麼握有權力的人,很輕易地為「以控制他人為樂」所誘惑?而置身弱勢角色的人,為什麼卻常以沉默來面對問題?《路西法效應》一書中,金巴多教授藉由「史丹福監獄實驗」研究,將為讀者解釋「情境力量」和「團體動力」如何能使平凡男女變成殘忍的魔鬼。他也強調人們容易受到環境的影響而作惡,但卻又樂觀地指出,按照他的「十步法」,人們同樣能夠頂住壓力,英勇地違抗「路西法效應」。先是承認自己的錯誤,最後是拒絕為了所謂的人身安全而犧牲自由,相信自己能夠反對任何不公正的制度。書中舉的道德英雄包括抵抗麥卡錫主義、種族隔離、反對越戰的人。

延伸閱讀1:
史丹福監獄實驗經常被拿來與米爾格拉姆實驗(Milgram Experiment),又稱權力服從研究(Obedience to Authority Study)進行比較,米爾格拉姆實驗是於1961年在耶魯大學,由金巴多中學時代的好友史丹利·米爾格拉姆(Stanley Milgram)進行的。該實驗的目的,是為了測試受測者,在遭遇權威者下達違背良心的命令時,人性所能發揮的拒絕力量/服從性到底有多少。實驗開始於1961年7月,也就是納粹黨徒阿道夫·艾希曼(Adolf Eichmann)被抓回耶路撒冷審判,被判死刑後的一年。米爾格拉姆設計了這個實驗,便是為了測試「艾希曼以及其他千百萬名參與了猶太人大屠殺的納粹追隨者,有沒有可能只是單純的服從了上級的命令呢?我們能稱呼他們為大屠殺的兇手嗎?」

← 米爾格拉姆實驗。實驗者(E)(有時會是米爾格拉姆)命令「老師」(T)為「學生」(L)給予「電擊」,作為「老師」的參與 者被告知這樣做真的會使「學生」遭受痛苦的電擊,但實際上「學生」是實驗的一名演出助手。參與者相信「學生」每次回答錯誤都真的會遭受電擊,但事實上根本 就沒有電擊。在與參與者隔離以後,助手會設置一套錄音機,而該錄音機則由「老師」的「電擊產生器」所操控,會根據電擊程度而播出不同預製錄音。

延伸閱讀2:
2001年,一部名為死亡實驗(Das Experiment,德語)是一部基於1971年美國史丹福大學監獄實驗攝製的德國電影。

延伸閱讀3:
史丹福監獄實驗網站,每年瀏覽次數超過上百萬人次。
《路西法效應》一書官方網站

January 4, 2009

Daniel & Bob

Filed under: Fashion design — slackercracker @ 3:24 am


Causal and stylistic leather bags.
http://www.sellts.com/danielandbob/index.html

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