We all get off on seeing people killed. In films and drama, in cartoons and on the news, we enjoy watching men, women and children being killed in a fascinating and beguiling number of ways. And in the good old days, when executions were public, they would draw huge crowds to some and watch. And of course, for those well-adjusted Romans, a family outing to watch animals, criminals, religious nutters and gladiators fight to the death was a good day out.
Of course, we're not actually allowed to go and gruesomely kill American teenagers like they do in those horror films. But I always thought the zombies and vampires got a bad PR deal in those stories.
So are we all sick. Well I for one work all day long having to be nice to people: pupils, co-workers, ancillary staff and worst of all, parents. Is it any wonder I end up feeling mildly psychotic and so hugely enjoying fantasies about erotically torturing and snuffing people. No, oh, OK then, I'm just sick in the head.
Of course, in RL we're never allowed to unleash our own monsters. And I personally don't approve of the death penalty. Or the making of human sacrifices. Or the Nazis. Or indeed cannibalism. Or any other similar practices that were once oh so popular but are now considered barbaric. But hey, the monsters are still there …
But remember, please don't try this at home, folks.
Stories with death & disemberment
