A team of researchers from the University of Surrey, UK, defends that understanding our fascination with death and dark themes could help our understanding of society, according to a study published in the Annals of Tourism Research.
Events such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and the Jack Ripper’s murders attract much attention. Now, the UK team introduces a framework to analyse the appeal of these events, drawing from fields as diverse as thanatology (the scientific study of death and the associated practices), dark tourism, and collective memory studies.
Events covering dark and disaster events cover a wide range, from historical commemorations and sports competitions to cultural festivals and horror experiences.
“People are fascinated with dark events for several reasons, embedded in psychological, cultural, and sociological aspects of human behaviour. There is a natural human curiosity about the darker aspects of life, including death, tragedy, and the macabre. Dark events often provide a safe and controlled environment for people to explore these themes,” said Dr James Kennell, Associate Professor in Events & Hospitality.
The framework presented by the Surrey team aims to advance understanding of the evolving landscape around dark events. The team identified six key concepts crucial for researching dark events:
· Assess marketing and monetisation of how dark events
· Include perspectives from disciplines such as thanatology, dark tourism, and collective memory studies
· Understand how the public engages with dark events, including media coverage, politics, public reactions, and the impact on social norms and values
· Study deviant behaviour, such as thrill-seeking or taboo exploration of violence, criminality, or general harm
· Analyse how dark events trigger emotions such as fear, fascination, or reflection within the participants or audience
· Assess the presence of death within dark events, including non-human death, death symbolism, and actual death
“The fascination with dark events stems from a complex interplay of curiosity, thrill-seeking behaviour, cultural traditions, psychological exploration, and the desire for communal and shared experiences. These events allow individuals to engage with themes of death, disaster, and suffering in ways that are meaningful, educational, and sometimes transformative,” concluded Metod Šuligoj, co-author and Associate Professor of Tourism Studies at the University of Primorska.
Kennell J, Šuligoj M (2024) Conceptualising dark events: A new framework. Annals of Tourism Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2024.103799