The Rise of True Crime as a Popular Genre
True crime, which encompasses stories about real-life crimes through series, documentaries, books, podcasts, and YouTube channels, has become one of the most popular genres in recent years. These narratives captivate audiences by making them feel as if they are following fictionalized accounts of murders, disappearances, and court cases. However, these stories are rooted in reality, featuring genuine victims and families still enduring pain.
The Normalization of Curiosity Towards Crime
What’s concerning isn’t just the success of true crime content but also the increasing normalization of curiosity towards crime. Sometimes, these narratives involve collaboration from the perpetrator or are shared without consulting victims’ families, turning suffering into a commodity and criminal acts into consumable stories.
The Double-Edged Sword of True Crime Consumption
Consuming true crime content is more complex than it appears. While some seek a sense of security, learn to detect danger signs, or prepare for potential threats, others find it as an escape. These narratives offer intense emotions from the comfort of home, helping some manage insomnia, boredom, or anxiety. However, excessive exposure can lead to desensitization, normalize violence, and reinforce misconceptions about crime.
The Romanticization of Perpetrators
Some true crime stories present perpetrators in an attractive or even romantic light, fostering emotional connections on social media. Fan groups admire serial killers like Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer, demonstrating a dangerous way of making evil seem interesting or appealing.
ASMR True Crime: A Case Study
One extreme example is ASMR true crime. ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is a pleasant sensation many experience when hearing whispers, soft sounds, or repetitive movements. It’s a relaxation technique popularized online. Some channels now narrate real murders with low voices, gentle tones, and soothing backgrounds. This format, popularized by channels like Bailey Sarian’s, blends personal care and relaxation with crime, normalizing suffering as a backdrop for unwinding.
Ethical Concerns and the Future of True Crime
As a criminologist, I’m concerned that many true crime narratives perpetuate misconceptions. Perpetrators are often portrayed as intelligent or fascinating, and victims are subtly blamed. Meanwhile, deeper causes of violence—such as inequality, racism, and abuse of power—are ignored.
We need to address the ethical boundaries of this genre. Basic rules should be established: obtaining consent from families, treating the deceased with respect, and presenting facts carefully with context. Spain specifically requires a clear ethical framework to regulate the creation and dissemination of such content.
These decisions shouldn’t be left to algorithms or audiences. Privacy, the right to decide, and respect for others’ pain must be safeguarded.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is true crime? True crime is a genre that explores real-life criminal cases through various media formats.
- Why is true crime popular? Its popularity stems from its ability to captivate audiences by making them feel as if they are following fictionalized accounts of crimes.
- What are the ethical concerns? Ethical concerns include normalizing curiosity towards crime, desensitizing viewers to violence, romanticizing perpetrators, and ignoring deeper causes of violence.
- What is ASMR true crime? ASMR true crime combines the relaxation technique ASMR with narrations of real murders, normalizing suffering as a backdrop for unwinding.
- How can we ensure ethical true crime content? Establishing basic rules, such as obtaining consent from families and presenting facts carefully with context, can help ensure ethical true crime content.
