At this point, no. Now if you can give me an extra ten years in reasonably good health...

Pretty tough challenge.  At least the prisoners in the hole at Alcatraz had got to have the light on during meals, along with brief contact with a guard. Note that their maximum was 19 days.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11245414/My-19-days-in-solitary-confinement-on-Alcatraz.html

I’m concerned what - if any - damage would be done to your eyes/body being in pitch black for thirty days. But I don’t think I’d do it for $100K.

I have 2 toddlers.  I’d be able to sleep the 30 days at this point so ya. 

I’d be nervous if the psychological effects.

If others did it before me and didn’t have crazy effects I might give it a try

No.

Sure why not

No. 

That's a no for me dawg. 

I don't think so

Hell no. It would have to be at least $5 million with the guarantee of no long-term health issues (mainly eyes) or mental issues (lose your mind) and then I probably still wouldn't be able to complete it.

How many would change your answer if it were only for 1 week? I don't believe I'd attempt 30 days, but 1 week seems doable.

posted by justincredible

How many would change your answer if it were only for 1 week? I don't believe I'd attempt 30 days, but 1 week seems doable.

I heard about this story on the radio driving home yesterday and the guy that accepted this challenge will be starting day 10 today.

posted by justincredible

How many would change your answer if it were only for 1 week? I don't believe I'd attempt 30 days, but 1 week seems doable.

I would do a week for $100k. Fuck a month though, I would need way more.

No. Pretty sure you would have permanent eye damage. I say no to the week also for the same reason.

The blindness factor would be my biggest sticking point. But it appears that may not be a concern for adults. That is, if the info in this quora thread is true. Not sure I'd risk it, though, without a serious talk with medical professionals.

https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-being-in-complete-darkness-for-more-than-three-days-can-cause-blindness

posted by justincredible

Not sure I'd risk it, though, without a serious talk with medical professionals.

 

This would be a must.

$10,000,000

It would be interesting if they paid $25,000 a week.  How many people would keep going knowing they made a little part way through.  In regards to the $100,000.  Probably not (dont need the money).  If I was desperate....yes.  

$500,000 would be by bottom number to try it.  $16,500 a day.  I would be motivated to stick it out if I knew I was getting that per day.

The worst part for me would be the inability to read. Give me a loaded kindle that only functions on the lowest light setting and I'd be good. 

Just emailed my son (who's an optometrist) and he said no, a month isn't long enough to cause any permanent eye damage--unless there is a pre-existing condition such as cataracts, glaucoma, etc.

However, as long as there's the possibility of psychological effects, it's still a no for me.

posted by vball10set

Just emailed my son (who's an optometrist) and he said no, a month isn't long enough to cause any permanent eye damage--unless there is a pre-existing condition such as cataracts, glaucoma, etc.

 

I kinda thought that was the case, but glad to hear a medical expert weight in.  There was an experiment back in the early 1960's, a couple of guys stayed in a frozen cave for about 3 months under similar conditions.  They needed dark glasses for a while after they came out, but eventually adjusted back.  reasonably well.

I did read where total deprivation of light can cause permanent blindness in infants at a certain age, but it has to do more with failure of the part of the brain where sight is processed -  not the eyes themselves.

Yeah

posted by justincredible

The worst part for me would be the inability to read. Give me a loaded kindle that only functions on the lowest light setting and I'd be good. 

I don't know about the eye issue, but wouldn't really worry about the psychological affects.

I think the biggest issue for me, like you, is I couldn't tolerate absolutely nothing to do for 30 days.....meaning however long I made it would be a complete waste (assuming you only get paid for lasting the whole 30 days).

If you could read, it would be relatively "easy".  To me occupying yourself for 30 days is the hard part, I don't think in that scenario light or no light makes that big a difference (some, I'm sure).  I absolutely could not pass 16 hours a day with just my thoughts for 30 days.  I don't think I'd last more than a few days.  Give me a pen and paper and I could probably kill a few weeks planning out how to spend and invest my money (if the prize were a few million+ instead of just $100k), but still would fall well short of 30 days.

If I don't lose my job or anything I'd do it for $100k with no hesitation. If I'm gonna get fired for missing a month then the financial gains are minimized.

If I'm getting fired, I still do it for $200k.