Evil Quote by Harold Schechter
““Why do so many—not all, but many—run to see a crashed plane, or a train, or two autos with numerous dead about? Why? What is it? Weariness of humdrum and commonplace? Love of change? Horror of the same thing happening to themselves? Or is it something evil in them? In us? Do we like to see other people suffer when we ourselves are safe and don’t suffer? Are we really just evil or a mixture of good and evil, whether we want to be or not?””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Murder of the Century, Harold Schechter, 1995
People are drawn to tragedy because it breaks routine, offers emotional intensity, and reflects dark curiosity about suffering.
In simple terms: People watch disaster for excitement and to confront darkness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize why you seek drama and seek healthier thrills.
Themes
curiosity
darkness
human nature
emotional intensity
Mood
intrigued
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- true crime podcasts
- disaster tourism
- social media
- watching accidents
Key Concepts
psychology
morality
spectatorship
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your attraction to tragedy?
- How can you channel this curiosity positively?
A Different Perspective
Such fascination can desensitize empathy and glorify suffering.
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