Last Podcast On The Left Murderabilia: A Chat with Harold Schechter
Nov 24, 2023
Henry and Marcus chat with Harold Schechter, master of true crime storytelling, about his newest book Murderabilia: A History of Crime in 100 Objects. They discuss the fascination with true crime, displaying dead bodies and murderabilia, the connection between murderabilia and evil, unmasking a notorious killer, and express gratitude for Harold Schechter and promote his new book.
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True Crime Cycle
- True crime has a cyclical nature, experiencing periods of intense interest followed by decline.
- This cycle is influenced by cultural factors and moral panics, repeating throughout history.
True Crime's Double-Edged Sword
- The resurgence of true crime has brought both positive and negative aspects.
- While increasing interest, it also invites inappropriate behavior and trivialization of serious crimes.
Balancing Lurid and Respectful
- Harold Schechter's true crime writing balances lurid details with respect for victims.
- This approach makes the genre accessible to a wider audience, including those who might otherwise find it distasteful.