588. True Crime as Social Change with Sarah Weinman
Nov 10, 2023
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True crime expert and author Sarah Weinman discusses the genre's societal impact, ethical concerns, and mental health effects. They explore the evolution of true crime writing, online communities' positive impact, and the allure of true crime fascination. The conversation also delves into gripping crime fiction books and highlights a nonfiction case involving investigative genetic genealogy.
True crime can serve as a catalyst for social change by prompting discussions on justice, misogyny, and systemic inequalities.
Unsolved cases hold a mythic allure until resolved, revealing the ordinary nature of culprits and dispelling larger-than-life images.
Crime narratives, both fiction and non-fiction, provide insights into human behavior, societal norms, and the neglect of victims.
Deep dives
The Misrepresentation of Serial Killers in Popular Culture
Pop culture often glamorizes serial killers, turning them into larger-than-life figures while reducing their victims to disposable characters. This trend began to escalate in the 1980s, particularly with the coverage of notorious killers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer.
The Allure of Unsolved Cases
Unsolved cases hold a mythic allure as long as they remain unresolved, creating a sense of mystique and larger-than-life complexity around them. When these cases are solved, the culprit is often revealed to be an ordinary individual, shattering the myth surrounding them.
The Complexities of True Crime Genre
The true crime genre involves a wide array of tensions and perspectives, ranging from the fascination with serial killers to the exploration of justice, misogyny, and systemic inequalities. True crime narratives often reflect societal beliefs and fears, offering insights into human behavior and societal norms.
Revealing the Dark Side of Crime Narratives
Crime narratives, while captivating, can sometimes overshadow the plight of victims, especially in cases involving sexual violence or intimate partner abuse. The glorification of criminals and the neglect of victims perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine the seriousness of such crimes.
Exploring Human Psychology Through Crime Stories
Crime stories, both fiction and non-fiction, provide a unique glimpse into human psychology, motivations, and societal dynamics. Authors like Laura Lippman, Megan Abbott, and Lisa Belkin offer compelling narratives that delve into the complexities of crime, justice, and human behavior.
Sarah Weinman joins me to talk about true crime, a genre which I absolutely cannot read! We talk about how true crime “can be a catalyst for social change” and why people, especially White women, obsessed with true crime.
Plus we talk about Sarah’s latest books, Scoundrel, which has a surprising (to me) literary angle for true crime, and the anthology, Evidence of Things Seen. We discuss at length looking at the true crime genre as a whole, and exploring what true crime can do better ethically and socially.
VERY IMPORTANT INFO: We are talking about true crime in a larger context socially and ethically, but we also mention specific cases, and when possible we name the victims. We also talk frankly about the mental health costs of doing this kind of writing and investigative journalism.
The timestamps for when we mention specific cases, which include murders of young people, and talk about mental health are: