What in the World Why are we obsessed with true crime?
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May 8, 2025 Jacqui Wakefield from the BBC’s Global Disinformation Unit joins to discuss our obsession with true crime. She unpacks the psychological allure of the genre, particularly how it resonates with women’s interests in vulnerability and survival. The conversation delves into the evolution of true crime from its print origins to today’s podcast frenzy, including its impact on cold cases. Jacqui also highlights the delicate balance of storytelling that honors victims while navigating the darker sides of crime and media influence.
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True Crime Survival Lessons
- Some watch true crime to learn survival tactics from kidnapping stories.
- For example, a woman escaped by flipping over the trash bin she was trapped in.
Why People Love True Crime
- True crime fans have a deep interest in understanding why people commit crimes.
- Such content helps people explore their own dark thoughts safely.
Serial's Impact on True Crime Popularity
- The true crime genre exploded with the podcast Serial in the early 2000s.
- Serial sparked massive public engagement and impacted real legal outcomes.