In other countries, there is a lot of unexpected "suicides", and people simply cease to exist, but in CN they usually disappear for some time and when they "reappear" again, are not interfering, commenting or criticizing anymore in any way... What actually happens in that "transition" period?

I'm genuinely curious, please provide some sources if there are some, or if this was answered somewhere else already.

Full blown essay like answers are more than welcomed. What does the 'ruling class' gains from surveiling it's own population. What do they fear the most? What there is to lose, what there is to gain?