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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!

#1

Creepy-Random-Facts

creepy.fact Report

Hailie
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I asked my counselor about these types of thoughts! She said they're completely normal.

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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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    #2

    Creepy-Random-Facts

    creepy.fact Report

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    #3

    Creepy-Random-Facts

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    SydneyGirl
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bloody huntsman. Those dinner plate sized ones creeping out from behind a picture on the wall do tend to create stained undies.

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    #4

    Creepy-Random-Facts

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    Mahayana
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s good! I’m going to try that with the next ice cream truck I see!

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    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

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    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.

    #8

    Creepy-Random-Facts

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    Minath
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Happened in South Africa as well. Two Orcas called Port and Starboard turned up and after they killed and ate the livers of a few Great Whites, the sharks moved out. There were a few years with basically no sightings of the sharks.

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    #9

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    Greta Kolding
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they saw the c**p their laughter is used for now they would be turning in their graves.

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    #10

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    BobTDG
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I remember rightly he killed himself with a sword instead.

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    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.

    #11

    Creepy-Random-Facts

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    blobby_grrl
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    hehheehe liddle evil eye buddy

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    #12

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    lovebooksdork
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it bad that I’m actually am interested to go there ?

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    #13

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    Saint Thomas
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Come on BP, that's at least the 3rd time in 2 weeks that you put this pic in a list...

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    #14

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    “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.

    #15

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    Ex Pat
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Locked-in syndrome." Not an isolated event. [Martin Pistorius]

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    #16

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    BobTDG
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lock your doors people. That simple to avoid this dude.

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    #17

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    Elita One
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Think I'll just stick to pictures from the people who've been there and done that, thanks.

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    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.

    #18

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    creepy.fact Report

    BobTDG
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's disgusting.

    Saggi
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well it really depends on the context too. While it is cruel to “bet” on them in some sort of way, they also must have done something pretty gruesome to be on the death row

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    Headless Roach
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "play as if your life depends on it" taken to a new level

    Whatshername
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorta like an old time version of squid game

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    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think he was just the ballboy or something and wasn't actually on death row. (Um, I hope).

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    xXSamTheBoxerLoverXx
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Off topic, but where has Zara the squiddy squid gone? Haven't seen her for a few days now.

    Crazy Cookie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have wondered that. It’s fun that us pandas know and care about each other

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    Jessi Lovely
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a child in the middle?

    Rylee Evergreen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I remember correctly, it was the jailmaster-main-jail-guy's-son. He was the ball boy I think

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    Abigail Strong
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's literally torture. Imagine the stress

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you're bothered by torture, then for heaven's sake don't look into the atrocities going on every day in the US prison system.

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    Caroline Fraser
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Deplorable…but would make a good film.

    SobyKay
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This sounds like the plot of a dystopian horror movie

    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh come on, some of them look like they're barely any older than 17! That's just horrible.

    scag$y
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, The Running Man then, with less steps. Totally unforgivable even if they were all murderous scumbags. Their lives should not have rested on the outcome of a game. Not only that, but the victims and their families would be denied closure every time the team won.

    Mason Gregory
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone tell me what the kid is doing there

    Draga Millani
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Horrific. It feels like something a dystopian movie would be about.

    Hammond Chiez
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Better than making them fight to the death, like gladiators. Also, I hope the little kid in that pic is just their mascot.

    tiffhoepp
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I believe the kid was the warden's son. at least that is what I read the first time I saw this pic online.

    Jaren Lloyd
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ONE OF THEM IS A F**KING CHILD

    Penny Dell
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Way to turn a fun thing into terrifing!

    Sydnie Laney
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me seeing the kid there like, "Hold up"

    Mary Peace
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't want to play against them, because I'd feel bad if I scored -- but it would be the authorities fault for setting this up. The punishment for the crimes should be separate.

    Mickie Shea
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a little boy (middle, front) on death row? For shame

    backatya
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess they were the best team out there.

    Bernadette Jamieson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And long was that? does anybody have an answer, that’s just plain cruel.

    Roberto Durante
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    how to motivate sportsmen, now they get million of dollars

    gg Gc
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What was the kid in for?

    RL R
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is what we economists call INCENTIVES.

    Tyler
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    anyone else gonna mention the little kid in front middle

    Tom Drummer
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I assume the little boy murdered someone.

    Lori
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another form of enslavement.

    TheAnimalLady
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously?!? That was 14 in a row here! Don't you have anything better to do but go around 👎ing everybody for no good reason, you insipid, facetious, implacable, feckless Troglodyte!?! I'm just following you around canceling you out with 👍👍👍 anyway. Bwahaha!!!

    Jill Bussey
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What did the little chap in the front row do?

    SinéadQ
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is truly messed up but it's not surprising. Also, the typo...

    pebs
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah, what a civilized country!

    DeeRay
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's up with the kid?

    Lauren A
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And their leader is a toddler

    the shrimp whisperer
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    SO MANY OF THEM LOOK LIKE LITTLE BOYS what the f**k

    Demongrrrrl
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope the other teams they played let them win.

    Lisa Westerfield
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On the positive it looks like it is an integrated team.

    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like this could be a movie to me.

    Analyn Lahr
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did they get that idea from the Aztecs or something? Because in their game the losing team was sacrificed. I think before that though, it was the winning team that was sacrificed but nobody wanted to win. Don't quote me. I could be wrong.

    Mary Jeffries
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this an inspiration for Hunger Games?

    Stephanie Fay
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But what's with the kid in the middle...?

    Nitka Tsar
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So why is there a child in the middle??

    Icecream Sarang
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Childish Gambino “This is America” comes to mind right now.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a young child on death row??

    Phoebe Stein
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There looks to be a child there. :O

    kelly
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who's that little boy?

    Dana Trahan
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a child in the middle?

    DEW
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why? What is the point of it?

    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    presumably they will play really well due to their lives depending on it.

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    PattyK
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    … 1910, THERE was …

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    #19

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    #21

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    BobTDG
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are creepy looking things aren't they.

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