The number of True Crime consumers has steadily risen over the past years. There are many ways to learn about True Crime, whether it be from books, shows, or podcasts. Research shows that more and more individuals are interacting with this media: according to a poll done by YouGov, around half of Americans say that they enjoy True Crime, and in 2022, Spotify released data showing that Crime Junkie, a podcast dedicated to exploring True Crime, was one of the most widely listened to podcasts on the platform. There’s no debate that True Crime has been increasingly gaining popularity. However, many disagree on whether or not the benefits of True Crime outweigh the harm.
Some Americans believe that the media examining True Crime is a great way to investigate crimes more closely, and find information that can uncover the truth of a crime. In 2022, Podsauce identified eleven podcasts that helped break cases. These podcasts either uncovered new evidence that opened up a case again or resulted in cases getting so much attention that authorities decided to reinvestigate for more information. Indeed, the obsession with True Crime has led to victims finally getting answers and wrongfully convicted individuals getting their freedom. Because of these benefits, many argue that the growing obsession with True Crime should be embraced. However, other Americans feel differently.
Many Americans believe True Crime does more harm than good, as it can lead to paranoia. The Cleveland Clinic found that when people continuously listen to True Crime, their mental health can begin to suffer. Many individuals begin to fear for their lives, and this fear can prevent people from being able to leave their homes without constantly looking over their shoulders and anticipating the worst. When individuals constantly listen to stories of gruesome killings and eerie kidnappings, they may believe that these events occur much more often than they actually do, leading to a feeling of paranoia.
For other listeners, True Crime is a consistent reminder of the traumatic losses they have endured. In September of 2022, Netflix released a series called “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” about Jeffery Dahmer’s history of serial killings. The series’ views quickly skyrocketed, reaching over 700 million hours of watch time. The show became one of the highest-watched series on Netflix, as consumers binged the show. Many were interested in the show because of its gruesome nature; they could not look away from the screen. However, for others, this show was a shocking reminder of the trauma they personally faced because of Jeffery Dahmer’s actions. According to The Guardian, a mother of a victim of Jeffery Dahmer came forward to speak about the show. She condemned the show for its decision to use the stories of real victims and family members without first asking for consent. The show has since received backlash for failing to consult any family members of those killed before releasing the series.
Views about True Crime are split; some believe that the popularity surrounding True Crime is good, while others believe it takes advantage of victims. As the popularity of True Crime grows, it will become increasingly important to have discussions about humanity surrounding this form of media. On February 8th, 2023, Project Humanities will be hosting an event called “Ethics of Entertainment: An Obsession with ‘True Crime.’” Project Humanities will discuss reasons behind True Crime popularity and the way its ethical ramifications impact those who are "obsessed" with these stories. Additionally, Project Humanities will explore how the entertainment industry capitalizes on another's tragedy, loss or misfortune. If you are interested in the event, you can sign up here! This event is a great way to learn more about True Crime, and explore the different views surrounding it.
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