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Uncanny

Why Theory

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The Uncanny of Freud

Freud's idea of the uncanny is that something doesn't look human like enough. And it's at this point that it's disgusting and we reject it, which is what Freud was getting at here. This is from a 19, 1970 text from a master hero, Murray: "I am Oedipus" He says he plucks his eyes out because he finally sees himself as having been castration by someone who has no authority over him. The feeling you get when confronted with an element familiar but not your dominion or authority are part of the uncanny valley.

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