English Podcast

The podcast explores our fascination with the crime genre, citing reasons such as morbid curiosity, the thrill of the unknown, moral dilemmas, iconic characters, reflection of societal issues, escapism, and the satisfaction of seeing justice served. It suggests that crime stories tap into our deepest desires, fears, and curiosities, making them an enduring and captivating genre. Have you ever watched or read a crime series and thought to yourself, why are we so interested in the crime genre? Welcome to The Criminal Curiosity, I'm your host Stephen and today we're diving deep into what drives our insatiable interest in the crime genre. From classic detective novels to grouping true crime stories, we're about to uncover the secrets behind our fascination. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal peoples of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of this land where this podcast is being recorded, and pay my respects to the elders both past and present, and extend that respect to any Aboriginal peoples listening. To kick things off, let's talk about morbid curiosity. We humans have an innate fascination for the darker side of life, and crime stories tap into this curiosity. Take, for example, the true crime genre. Shows like Making a Murderer and Serial have captured our attention by presenting real life mysteries and unanswered questions. We can't help but wonder about the why and how behind these cases, and this curiosity keeps us glued to our screens. Another strong reason for our interest in the crime genre is the undeniable thrill of the unknown. Remember reading and watching Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes? This story kept us hooked with suspense, leaving us on the edge of our seats as we tried to piece together the puzzle alongside the detectives. Crime stories often present us with moral dilemmas as well that make us question our own ethics. Take Breaking Bad, for example. Walter White's transformation from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to a drug lord forces us to grapple with the shades of grey in morality. It's this moral complexity that keeps us engaged and pondering our own choices. Iconic characters are another driving force behind our love for the genre. Think again about Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Holmes has become a cultural icon, captivating us with his wit, eccentricities and impeccable deductive skills. We can't help but root for him as he solves perplexing cases. Crime stories often reflect the issues of our time. Take The Wire, for instance. This TV series delves deep into the complexities of urban life and the drug trade in Baltimore. By intertwining fiction with real-world problems, crime narratives become a lens through which we examine society and its challenges. Our interest in crime isn't limited to fiction. The rise of true crime podcasts like serial and documentaries like Making a Murderer have captivated audiences by exposing real-life mysteries. These stories invite us to become armchair detectives investigating cases that continue to haunt us long after the credits roll. Crime stories provide a form of escapism. They transport us to a world of intrigue and danger, offering a temporary escape from our everyday lives. Whether it's through the pages of a thriller novel or binge-watching a crime drama, we find entertainment in these thrilling narratives. And finally, there's the satisfaction of seeing justice served. In stories like Law and Order or NCIS, we witness the pursuit of justice and the consequences of one's actions. This reaffirms our belief in the triumph of good over evil, providing closure and reassurance in an often uncertain world. In conclusion, our interest in the crime genre is multifaceted. It's driven by our morbid curiosity, the suspense and thrills they offer, our desire to explore the human side, the need for justice, and the reflection of societal issues. Whether it's a true crime documentary, a suspenseful thriller, or a thought-provoking crime drama, these stories tap into our deepest desires, fears, and curiosities, making them an enduring and captivating genre. Thank you for tuning in to The Criminal Curiosity. If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a review. And depending on how this podcast is graded by my teachers, there could be more episodes to come.