The phrase denotes a fascination with demise, decay, or disagreeable topics when these themes are linked to people perceived as morally reprehensible. It implies an attraction to, or satisfaction derived from, considering destructive outcomes or punishments befalling these thought-about “dangerous.” As an illustration, the extreme public curiosity within the downfall of a corrupt official, characterised by detailed accounts of their struggling, might be interpreted for instance.
This tendency serves a number of potential psychological features. It could present a way of justice, reinforcing societal norms by demonstrating penalties for unethical conduct. Moreover, it could possibly supply a vicarious launch of aggression or frustration in direction of people deemed dangerous. Traditionally, public executions and different types of punishment served the same goal, providing a visual show of justice and a deterrent in opposition to wrongdoing. Inspecting the societal impulse offers perception into cultural values, ideas of justice, and psychological mechanisms associated to schadenfreude and ethical outrage.
