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While most of us are naturally curious and suffer from more or less pronounced FOMO, meaning we have to know, see and hear everything others do, it’s not always best for us.
Some things are better left unknown or at least not put in the nightmarishly dim light like the facts shared on the “Creepy.fact” Instagram account. Followed by 231k followers, the page calls itself “the scariest account on Instagram” so we are about to see if that’s true. We wrapped up some of the most interesting posts shared on this page, so pull your seat closer, as you may want to leave your lights on.
The truth is... nothing beats the enduring appeal of things that fall under the categories of horror, grotesque, and mystery. Just look at the recent craze around gothic and horror TV shows (I refuse to believe there exists a person who hasn’t yet watched Tim Burton’s Wednesday) and serial killer documentaries (Netflix’ spin on Dahmer, anyone?!).
So to find out more about what it is that makes us tick when it comes to horror, we spoke with Lauren McMenemy, a south London-based writer of gothic-influenced folk horror who is currently working on a novel set in the world of the Victorian occult. And she was happy to share some very interesting insights into the topic!
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“Humans are inherently morbid, whether they like to admit it or not,” Lauren McMenemy, a professional writer, journalist, and experienced writing mentor and coach told Bored Panda. “We are fascinated by death - by avoiding it, by cheating it, by embracing it, by understanding what comes next.”
“And I think the last bit is really why we love the creepy stuff; ghosts and skeletons and vampires and other creepy things help us to explore what comes after death. As for mysteries, well, who doesn't love a good mystery! As well as being morbid, we are also inherently curious creatures,” McMenemy explained.
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#3
SydneyGirl 3 years ago
Bloody huntsman. Those dinner plate sized ones creeping out from behind a picture on the wall do tend to create stained undies.
McMenemy argues that it's what marks out humans and has helped us to grow and develop over generations and millennia. “We want to figure out the things we don't understand, and when we can't figure them out then some of us become obsessed by them.” McMenemy still remembers her own childhood obsession with the Bermuda Triangle, and who didn’t have one!
#5
When asked whether horror as a genre is becoming more popular lately, McMenemy said that it definitely feels like it. “A large part of that is down to social media and the growth of self-publishing. The 'establishment' publishing houses still don't seem to like much in the way of horror - though serial killer fiction used to be considered horror, once upon a time! - but there is a huge online horror community, and they love to share discoveries,” the writer explained.
#9
Greta Kolding 3 years ago
If they saw the c**p their laughter is used for now they would be turning in their graves.
Moreover, “Self-publishing has made it easier for people to share their own stories, too. And then we have the visual medium, and streaming services making access to horror much easier. I think the appetite has always been there, but it's just easier to get hold of that ‘fix,’” McMenemy explained.
We were also eager to find out what makes a book or a film particularly creepy. The academic answer to what makes things creepy, McMenemy argues, lies in the concept of the "uncanny", or the psychological experience of something as mysterious and creepy in a strangely familiar way.
#13
Saint Thomas 3 years ago
Come on BP, that's at least the 3rd time in 2 weeks that you put this pic in a list...
“It's the strangeness of the ordinary, the field where we are unable to distinguish between pleasure and displeasure and so we become anxious. Creepiness is about the uncertainty of a threat; you think there's something to worry about, but the signals aren't clear enough to send you into action,” the writer told us.
#16
DuchessDegu 3 years ago
Just lock the doors to avoid any uninvited people, murders or not
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glowworm2 3 years ago
Especially the part about having to be invited in order to come in. Granted, in this case, the "invitation" was basically whether the doors were locked or not.
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Denise Ramos 3 years ago
They neglected to mention that this guy was schizophrenic. He thought aliens were replacing his blood with dust and he had to drink fresh blood to replace his or he would die.
BeepBeepBoopBoop 3 years ago
see that sorta makes sense in a way. I wish they would give this type of info
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DEW 3 years ago (edited)
I've seen a case on "I Survived" with two sisters and I've heard of this guy above saying he did it too. I don't always lock the door right away but then I lock it. I take our two dogs outside to go potty at different times 2 am, 3 am, 4 am etc...I saw weird prints in the snow in 2022 (some have asked to see the photo''s and I'm still trying to figure it out. But I haven't forgotten!)When I go out side I walk around the back yard. Look at the stars etc.. But I go out and get this weird feeling. I hurry the dogs up ans get them in turn around and lock the screen. That has happened 2or3x. I went out the other night and I just wanted to get in the house. I ran to the door grabbed it open and told the dogs to get in. I was really scared. I 100% thought when I turned to lock the door something was going to be right there. Ok just went out and it's 2:30 am and felt fine!! Walked all around the yard!!
The Other Guest 3 years ago
It's weird that people are more likely to lock their doors when they're not home than when they are. When you're gone, all an intruder can do is take your stuff. If you're home, they can take your life. Isn't that more worthy of being protected than your TV?
BasedWang12.7 3 years ago
but one cardinal vampire rule is you have to actually be invited. You can't just assume... tsk tsk
a penguin 3 years ago (edited)
Lock the door behind me immediately. Always have, always will. Constantly going around the house making sure doors are locked, even in broad daylight, even in my “safe” town. Seen too many doorbell camera videos and read too many stories. Edit to add I have read about this serial killer and his whole locked door thing for years and that’s honestly what made me start locking everything
Penny Dell 2 years ago
It is weird that my first thought when he said "If their doors are locked that means I'm not welcomed." was "Awwwwwwwwww"? I don't think I'm ok.
Mary Peace 2 years ago
I can't deal with this one. Upvote and move on. Let someone else read it.
Liz Siemens 3 years ago
Wow. Don't look this up in more detail, like I did. Terrible things were done.
Hypoxia Smurf 3 years ago
The only Richard Chase that I knew of was a prominent folklorist. Not murderous.
Nastassja Ficko Soklič 3 years ago
it honestly baffles me how many people don't lock their doors at night. we have doors locked during the days as well because there was already a few attempted walk-ins from uninvited strangers. you'd be surprised how people think it's okay to just walk into someone's home.
Blue Mar 3 years ago
I always check the doors before go to sleep and even during the day time. Too many stories have heard... Also once left door open to breezer the flat and someone stepped in. My huge dog scared the guy but don't want to think what could happen. Now I have door camera and recommended it. I installed it after one of BP article about people and what they noticed on their front cameras...
happiness go brrrrrr 3 years ago
'Oh, ya don't want me here? Bye!' dude was polite to just leave
Meanwhile, “in books and film, this often takes the form of things just outside of our vision, or of familiar signals such as old and dilapidated houses, cobwebs, the unkempt and unloved. It results in that tingling down your spine, the goosebumps on your arms - you can't quite figure out what's going on, but you are intrigued…” McMenemy concluded.
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What do you think ?
CalicoKitty 3 years ago
Thanks to all the BP fact checkers ensuring I know when I'm recieving Net Zero Information
AwesomeLeoWife 3 years ago
They’ve been changing a lot of definitions lately actually.
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the big dipper ️ 3 years ago
is this stuff /trying/ to make me stay inside more than i already do
Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
I really need to remember not to look at lists with headings like these.
Keyrara Sanchez Michael 3 years ago
This thread needs an update posting this does not mean it will happen.. w[hooo2023
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Seriously?!? Why the 🤬 is this listed under "Animals"?!? Only 6 of 21 are animal related!?! And the rest are so 🤬ed up!!! I'm really getting tired of being tricked into going to the non-animal junk!!!
CalicoKitty 3 years ago
Thanks to all the BP fact checkers ensuring I know when I'm recieving Net Zero Information
AwesomeLeoWife 3 years ago
They’ve been changing a lot of definitions lately actually.
Load More Replies... the big dipper ️ 3 years ago
is this stuff /trying/ to make me stay inside more than i already do
Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
I really need to remember not to look at lists with headings like these.
Keyrara Sanchez Michael 3 years ago
This thread needs an update posting this does not mean it will happen.. w[hooo2023
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Seriously?!? Why the 🤬 is this listed under "Animals"?!? Only 6 of 21 are animal related!?! And the rest are so 🤬ed up!!! I'm really getting tired of being tricked into going to the non-animal junk!!!
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