Looking over your shoulder can enhance a sense of worry, leading to distrust of those around you or even feelings of paranoia. Have you found yourself listening to or reading about recent crimes? You may be among the growing number of people captivated by true crime stories.
The phenomenon of true crime has exploded globally, with studies indicating that over 65% of the population consumes this content. This surge occurs amidst a backdrop of increasing violence around the world. So, is true crime contributing to a more violent society?
It’s been observed that some individuals may view crime and criminals as “inspirational,” leading them to imitate such behavior. These individuals are often referred to as “copycats.” Does the ongoing coverage of serial crimes in the U.S. encourage more people to replicate these acts, or are we simply becoming more aware of crimes that have always occurred?
Multiple studies utilizing FBI crime data show that as the years progress, a smaller percentage of murders are being solved. The 2000s, in particular, have a poor reputation for cases closing, overlapping with the rise of true crime podcasts.
Recognized high-profile cases such as Robert Lee Yates, Vickie Dawn Jackson, and Maury Travis, all prominent serial killers of the early 2000s, further block this idea.
So, what does this all mean? While it’s true that bad people exist in the world and crime will inevitably occur, the question remains: Why has crime been on the rise? Why has there been an increase in public paranoia and worry?
True crime has become an integral part of many people’s lives. A significant portion of the population reported listening to more podcasts starting in 2020 than ever before. This prompts me to wonder if there is a connection between the rise in crime, the decline in solved cases, and the increasing popularity of true crime podcasts.
While it’s difficult to definitively prove this, it does raise concerns and can make people feel more scared and paranoid, and I can’t blame them. National Center for Health Statistics; FastStats, shows that for every 100,000 people, 7 individuals are murdered. That may not sound like a lot, but based on the population of the United States, which is approximately 335,893,238, that could mean 479.847482857 people would be murdered. Although that might seem manageable, it is just an estimate. As of 2024, there have already been 24,849 reported murders, with about 19,000 of those involving firearms. Thats over 51.8% more than the estimated number.
The crossing of true crime podcasts and real-world violence presents a disturbing blanket of fear and fascination. As society deals with rising crime rates and declining case resolution, the appeal of true crime stories may inadvertently build public paranoia and distrust. While these narratives fascinate and entertain, they also question us to consider the broader senses of our collective psyche and societal behavior. Understanding this relationship is crucial, as we are in a world where fear thrives and the darkness of human nature is laid bare, we must confront the unsettling truth; as we dive deeper into the abyss of true crime, we risk becoming both the audience and the unwitting participants in a narrative that could very well consume us all.
