Well i waited. It doesnt look like anyone else is gonna try to defend it so... here goes, its my best shot at showing the other side. As with any punishment, the "crime" must have "earned" it. While i agree that flat out shutting down, ignoring or cutting off submissives from attention as a punishment on a regular basis is probably going to cause those submissives to build walls to protect themselves from emotional distress.... thats doesnt mean there isn't a way to do it, when its warranted. To me, the "silent treatment" is not a Dom/me off sulking or pouting in a fit, abandoning the submissive to his/her own devices.... in my opinion, that isnt a punishment, its a temper tantrum, and unlikely to have much effect other than whats been mentioned in the posts. Quite frankly, the only time i think the silent treatment is going to be effective is when the submissive is in a reactive, non-listening state of mind. Freak outs happen, especially in long term live in relationships. Refusing to speak with a hurt, sad or fragile submissive is counterproductive. Trying to talk with a reactive, angry, non listening submissive might be counter productive as well. Maybe putting submissives in a position that enforces more calm feelings, and telling them that since they REFUSE to listen when you speak, they will spent X amount of time with silence might be just the very ticket?? I could probably keep rambling on, but looks like master wants to me come and listen to something.......
)