Yes, Dahmer is unique amongst the serial killer phenomena in that he evokes tender emotional responses from those who become fascinated with his childhood history. And response can feel crazy-making.
People sense something familiar about the conditions of deprivation, shyness and isolation he experienced growing up. It strikes a universal chord related to neglect at a core level.
Children raised within the too-tight bubble of modern-day 'nuclear' families are prone to levels of neurosis that earlier generations, with a more Old World style of child rearing--with aunts and uncles and grandparents and neighbors partaking in the rearing--were not subject too.
Of course my point, above, is just *one* fragment of the process related to JD's development.
To me, he's become a symbol for everything that's haywire about modern culture, especially as relates, again, to the toxicity of nuclear families--and I think this is why people are drawn to him, despite the horrors of his crimes. Because of his heinous acts it makes it difficult for people to allow themselves to experience their curiosity and process of inquiry that would emerge more freely for any other complex mystery in life.
This is why I decided to write my book, I first had to escape from the societal scolds and turn myself over to my imagination, as Volk has done with their work. It's a lonely inquiry, but I'm not easily daunted.
Yes, Dahmer is unique amongst the serial killer phenomena in that he evokes tender emotional responses from those who become fascinated with his childhood history. And response can feel crazy-making.
People sense something familiar about the conditions of deprivation, shyness and isolation he experienced growing up. It strikes a universal chord related to neglect at a core level.
Children raised within the too-tight bubble of modern-day 'nuclear' families are prone to levels of neurosis that earlier generations, with a more Old World style of child rearing--with aunts and uncles and grandparents and neighbors partaking in the rearing--were not subject too.
Of course my point, above, is just *one* fragment of the process related to JD's development.
To me, he's become a symbol for everything that's haywire about modern culture, especially as relates, again, to the toxicity of nuclear families--and I think this is why people are drawn to him, despite the horrors of his crimes. Because of his heinous acts it makes it difficult for people to allow themselves to experience their curiosity and process of inquiry that would emerge more freely for any other complex mystery in life.
This is why I decided to write my book, I first had to escape from the societal scolds and turn myself over to my imagination, as Volk has done with their work. It's a lonely inquiry, but I'm not easily daunted.