Is it normal to be fascinated by serial killers?

I've spent an unhealthy amount of time, as of late, poring over news articles from recent history, as well as scholarly writings dealing with the exploits of those who make murdering strangers a kind of hobby, the same way one might go to the movies on the weekends, or play golf after a short shift at work. We call these people "serial killers". They are fascinating creatures indeed. "Inter-species predators" would be a better label, though they do not gain food from their kills, as other predators do, but a kind of satisfaction, which to man is equally as important.

I feel that humans who have taken this form have become something other than human. I've done my best to recreate within myself the mental state of someone poised to engage in visceral violence with an unsuspecting stranger, and have concluded that such a thing could not be achieved by normal human beings. It is a plane of existence that can only be entered into by those possessing the primordial traits of those who dominated the land before anything that could be called "civilization" ever existed; Those who survived by their cold cunning and terrible tenacity, and perhaps a complete lack of the emotional checks placed on the rest of us. They struck the hearts of both man and beast with abject terror, while simultaneously hiding amongst them... smiling.

Maybe someday, the ancient apex predator will again be the supreme being, after civilization has destroyed itself.

Voting Results
71% Normal
Based on 82 votes (58 yes)
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Comments ( 15 )
  • This was more of a description than an IIN question. Besides, people that aren't emotional aren't always serial killers. I mean, I'm not the emotional type and pretend to have them all the time, that doesn't mean I'm a serial killer.

    But, I did enjoy reading this.

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  • Avant-Garde

    I guess it's normal as long as no one gets hurt. I on the contrary am obsessed with anything suicide related. I love to look up people who committed it, their reasons, suicide notes, and sometimes methods:)

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    • I'm fascinated with that sort of thing too.. but I'm not suicidal at all. Really happy with life... are you suicidal?

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      • Avant-Garde

        Occasionally. I've tried it about two times and contemplated it many more times.

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    • PunkReggaeMAN21

      im the same way i am just plain facinated by death

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  • 1000yrVampireKing

    dysfunction is often fascinating.

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  • evasivemumbling

    I have researched quite a lot on serial killers as well. I don't understand how anyone could ever hurt a human being, let alone murder dozens.
    However, the cases are extremely fascinating, but I think I've read as much as there is to read on the internet!
    I don't think it's unhealthy at all, unless it consumes you and YOU start thinking like Dahmer! Other than that, read on!

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  • alv1592

    Somewhat normal, I don't like or admire these people but I'm interested to know what makes them tick. My mom has read many true crime books and could tell you a lot about serial killers and the details of their crimes. I researched Bundy, Dahmer & Gacy after watching the South Park episode that made fun of them..it was wrong but kinda funny lol

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  • ganesha

    I think I found my soulmate lol, just kidding... but seriously..

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  • katdr12

    You need to watch ID(investigation? discovery), I am seriously obsessed with psychokillers, and any kind of killers actually. It's fascinating to think about what made this people killers, were they born evil, or did they just snap. For instance, that kid that killed all those people in CO, in the theater, even though it's sad, I totally understand why he snapped, people are rude and ignorant. I don't really like those killer though, I like the ones who can hide their murders, for year even, and the ones that work alone. If you haven't yet discovered them, look up the Spahalski twins, they are both seriously twisted.

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  • 800imawesome

    Sucked*

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  • You are misguided in your thinking of them as primordial feelings that serial killers possess. Serial killers separate themselves from society by having a complete and total lack of conscience and empathy. To them looking at other people is like you looking at brick wall. They look at other people as objects or tools for their own use or benefit, not as other people.

    What you are proposing is that serial killers would be better "survivors" in a harsh environment, evolving to better cope with death and causing it then those unable to do so. While this argument is intriguing, what you must remember is that serial killers almost always have some sexual aspect to their crimes either overt or covert it is there. The need to satisfy a sexual urge through causing pain and death seems unlikely to me in being a desirable trait in natural selection.

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  • I think it's normal, because I'm really fascinated by them too. I'm planning on reading a biography on Ted Bundy, & I'm currently reading American Psycho -- which is an intense book, by the way.
    I think it's also to do with my deep interest in psychology and disorders of the mind.

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  • Austalien

    I am fasinated by them but it is harder these days so hard to find new ones

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  • squirrelgirl

    Your description of serial killers sounds like it could be part of a nature documentary.

    But yeah, sometimes if I'm in a morbid mood, I like researching serial killers too. I find it especially fascinating when they desecrate the bodies in some way like Ed Gein (I think, not 100% sure) making books and furniture out of his victims.

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