Discussion The "True Crime" Paradox

[NoHorizon]

Something I've been wondering recently is why when you look at the most popular media consumed, it's often true crime, and specifically murder-related true crime. Documentaries, podcasts, books, this subject always tops the lists. People voraciously consume stories and information about people violently killing each other, not for any particular educational reason, but purely for pleasure. It seems to genuinely be considered a hobby for many people, and they don't keep it private like it's something to be ashamed of - even in workplaces or on public transport I hear people casually chatting about it all the time.

Yet, when it comes to suicide, any discussion of it being OK is seen as toxic and vile. We are demonised in the media for making the decision that we would like to die and speaking about it with others who feel the same way.

Why is it then, that people can comfortably say to other people that they enjoy media about non-consensual death, but be disgusted by media about consensual death?

 

[Forever Sleep]

Interesting question. I do watch/ listen to a lot of true crime documentaties but, I don't feel comfortable openly talking about it because I can't see it as being healthy. But I think you're right- seeing as they are so prevalent now- they must be widely popular.

I'm not sure we exactly admire dangerous criminals- although there is a fascination with how they can act that way.

True crime has maybe a surprisingly more female audience. I think to some degree- women use it to educate themselves. We know we're the weaker gender. Maybe it's a group strategy to identify situations and people who exhibit red flag behaviour- so we can avoid becoming victims ourselves.

I use it sometimes to feel more content about my choices/ situation in life. Yes, I'm single but- at least I'm not in an abusive relationship.

I suppose if a person isn't suicidal themselves, they may not relate so intensely to someone who takes their own life but potentially- anyone can become a victim of violent crime.

I imagine people still gossip about celebrity suicides though. Maybe they don't have as many documentaries made about them but then- they maybe don't have such a mystery element to them either. Part of the true crime fascination I think is the investigation itself and- tracking down the perpetrator. People enjoy both dramatic and real life 'Who done its'.

Plus- a lot of crimes are still unsolved or- still slightly mysterious if the accused still insists they are innocent. There's less mystery in an obvious suicide with a note.

Perhaps it's because people are more pro- choice than we believe too. They may see it as tragic say that Robin Williams took his own life but if they then find out about his post mortem diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia- maybe they might feel more sympathetic of how distressing that must have felt to him. Whereas the murder of a person is a grand injustice.

 

[NoHorizon]

Interesting question. I do watch/ listen to a lot of true crime documentaties but, I don't feel comfortable openly talking about it because I can't see it as being healthy. But I think you're right- seeing as they are so prevalent now- they must be widely popular.

I'm not sure we exactly admire dangerous criminals- although there is a fascination with how they can act that way.

True crime has maybe a surprisingly more female audience. I think to some degree- women use it to educate themselves. We know we're the weaker gender. Maybe it's a group strategy to identify situations and people who exhibit red flag behaviour- so we can avoid becoming victims ourselves.

I use it sometimes to feel more content about my choices/ situation in life. Yes, I'm single but- at least I'm not in an abusive relationship.

I suppose if a person isn't suicidal themselves, they may not relate so intensely to someone who takes their own life but potentially- anyone can become a victim of violent crime.

I imagine people still gossip about celebrity suicides though. Maybe they don't have as many documentaries made about them but then- they maybe don't have such a mystery element to them either. Part of the true crime fascination I think is the investigation itself and- tracking down the perpetrator. People enjoy both dramatic and real life 'Who done its'.

Plus- a lot of crimes are still unsolved or- still slightly mysterious if the accused still insists they are innocent. There's less mystery in an obvious suicide with a note.

Perhaps it's because people are more pro- choice than we believe too. They may see it as tragic say that Robin Williams took his own life but if they then find out about his post mortem diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia- maybe they might feel more sympathetic of how distressing that must have felt to him. Whereas the murder of a person is a grand injustice.

Some interesting points there, thanks for your thoughts. I'd not considered the part about it having a larger female audience, but that (sadly) makes sense with them being more likely to be vulnerable to those sorts of crimes.

 

[Pluto]