Something You Should Know

The Science of Morbid Curiosity & The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy

29 snips
Oct 20, 2025
Colton Scrivener, a behavioral scientist and horror entertainment producer, delves into why we are morbidly curious, exploring how this fascination with danger helps us learn in a safe context. He reveals the psychology behind our attraction to horror and true crime. Meanwhile, Ernest Scheyder, a Reuters senior correspondent, exposes the hidden ecological costs of so-called clean energy, detailing the mining of critical minerals like lithium and copper. He discusses the environmental impact of these essential materials for modern technology, challenging perceptions of 'clean' energy.
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INSIGHT

Horror Fans Tend To Be Empathetic

  • High morbid curiosity doesn't imply low empathy or greater danger.
  • Empirical data shows morbidly curious people are as compassionate as others.
ADVICE

Learn Safety By Watching Bad Choices

  • Watch horror to learn by witnessing poor choices because we learn best from observed mistakes.
  • Horror films show unsafe actions (split up, go to basements) so viewers internalize avoidance lessons.
INSIGHT

Green Energy Has Dirty Inputs

  • 'Green' energy still involves dirty processes: mining critical minerals brings environmental and social costs.
  • The assumption that green = clean overlooks extraction impacts.
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