This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Aldaris: I sugest a change of the page quote, I don't think it really gives an example of the trope, it merely mentions it in passing. 1984 gives a slightly better quote 'That was forty, you can see that the numbers on this dial go up to a hundred. Will you please remember, throughout our conversation, that I have it in my power to inflict pain on you at any moment and to whatever degree I choose.' (That's the exaact quote, I have the book right here.) Optionally, you can include the rest: '.. If you tell me any lies , or attempt to prevaricate in any way, or even fall below your usual level of intelligence, you will cry out with pain, instantly. Do you understand that?' On the other hand, that doesn't fit very well with Family Friendly Torture, maybe Inherently Energetic Interogation, with a redirect on Electric Torture?
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Aubri: Now, now... neither Jack Bauer nor Westley actually DIED. Well, Westley was mostly dead all day, but since they resurrected him it doesn't count. Good point on death in MGS, though. This trope shouldn't be limited strictly to actual electricity or pain induction — any bloodless but painful torture qualifies (such as the Princess Bride example).
Space Ace: In that light I find the Firefly example to be unfitting. After all, Niska lops one of Mal's ears off. Hardly bloodless. Also, a more snappy name might be a good idea. Electric Torture sounds like a section of a SM site. Bloodless Torture would be more fitting,in any case. Maybe T-Rated Torture?
Medinoc: Coudln't we add Magic Torture to the mix ? Harry Potter has the Cruciatus curse, and Belgarath the sorcerer also did that to two prisoners...
Ununnilium: Touchless Torture? I'm thinking of those "touchless car washes" you see sometimes...
—- Silent Hunter: I suggest merging this with Cool and Unusual Punishment and The Mind Probe. They're very similar.
Kilyle: Seems to me that this form of torture differs strongly from Cool and Unusual Punishment. As for The Mind Probe and Mind Rape... well, yeah, they're torture of similar make and model, and there's a similar idea of using it to get information, but The Mind Probe attempts to get info directly, whereas this form of torture attempts to break the will until you spill. So while I'd advocate a name change and a supertrope, I wouldn't merge.
As for names... hrm. Bloodless Torture isn't a bad choice, and would make inclusion a bit clearer (if they're poking pins in you or lopping off ears, this trope isn't in play), but seems a bit lacking... not sure. Family Friendly Torture or Family Friendly Torment? General Audience Torture? Do hyphens work - G-Rated Torture? I don't suppose it is necessarily G-rated, depending on the mood of the piece, but that idea. Torture For Kids? I think I like Family Friendly Torment best of these, but someone find a better one.
Oh, and yes, magic torture counts somewhere in these tropes. It's not fundamentally distinct from this, unless it better fits under Mind Rape, and it seems to me it's more about physical pain, not emotional torment, so better here. But one of the nice things about magical torture is, again, all the actor has to do is grimace and convulse. (Hrm... Grimace And Convulse? Grimace And Convulse And Maybe Scream?)
Mister Six: I like Family Friendly Torture. Not in real life, obv.
Steelhead Tsotha: Edited the paragraph implying Hostel and its ilk as the first torture horror films (as well as removing the term "torture porn" since it's - in my experience - mostly used derisively), since those more well-versed in horror know it is a far older subgenre.
Sci Vo: "Torture porn" is used to indicate obscenity. Were the older torture horror films also obscene, as the new ones are? (Not a rhetorical question; I'm really not familiar with them.) Parking the removed bit here:
- This trope appears to be weakening, in recent years; films such as the Hostel series have begun to show graphic depictions of mutilation and gory torture, leading to a genre called "torture porn", or "gorno".
Steelhead Tsotha: It's actually not a horror subgenre I'm that much into, but I understand from reviews and other horror fans that the Hostel movies are EXTREMELY tame next to Salo: 120 Days of Sodom. (which, in turn, was based upon a much older novel by Marquis de Sade)
Redkun: "certain members of the scientific and medical communities believe that nonfatal electrical current through your brain is the most painful thing a human can survive"
Okay, correct me if I'm wrong on this but... the brain has no pain receptors. You can touch an electrode to the brain and the person will not feel any pain, a fact which is used in neuroscience (specifically, EEG) research.
