Day 1
Participants arrive,
25 males investigate the space.
Seeing tools they assume will be used: electrodes, wires, heart monitors,
computers, dentist-like chairs (restraint free).
Direct each other to different objects, pick them up,
curiosity is masked by a series of jokes made within group.
Classic male behavior?
Day 6
Facial EMG
Skin Conductance
Heart Rate monitors –
Techniques are being used successfully thus far,
participants are just getting started.
Questions are minimal, no complaints yet.
The increased pumping of blood will be
noticeable soon. Intensity of
emotional arousal, changes in voltage
measured from fingertips will distinguish
stress from relaxation and facial muscle
contractions, electrodes on the brow,
for example, will measure degrees of
frowning.
Even the slightest change in
facial expressions are measurable,
revealing the workings underneath
skin.
Day 14
Half way done and we
have lost a third of participants – the effects have been greater than predicted.
Psychological effects have taken over outside of time in the laboratory; obligated to release them.
Day 28
Study complete now, hypothesis has been proven,
testable, most likely reproducible (we believe).
Extraordinary data reveals men
experience physical responses
when faced with threats made
to their masculinity.
“You’re so gay!”
“Don’t be a sissy” or,
“Act like a man! Real men don’t cry”
All whispered in their delicate ears,
body crippling with repeated exposure,
society manifested in the veins
of the male; what is felt but not talked about
surfaces with numbers, data
tangible.
Manhood. This is science.
—
The author of this piece wishes to remain anonymous.