What Does ‘Cursed’ Mean on the Internet?
Do We Enjoy Being Creeped Out?
Another interesting fact Colton Scrivner, a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago who studies human interest in violence and creepiness, shared with Wired is that the inexplicable feeling of being ‘creeped out’ is our body’s response to an ambiguous threat. But we aim to understand those threats and seek out more information about them.
When it comes to cursed images, Scrivner says, “We know we’re not really threatened by an image, because it’s on a computer. But there’s still an ambiguity. That drives an information-gathering process, especially if we’re distanced from the potential threat.”
Cursed Photos Might Lead to Social Acceptance
Sharing these bizarre images might even be a weird way of gaining social acceptance. “People who share threatening rumors are seen as more trustworthy,” Scrivner told Wired. “It’s not necessarily conscious, but sharing negative information tends to make you seem like a more informed, more reliable social partner.”
So without even realizing it, you might have been deepening your friendship with anyone you send cursed images to when you find the best ones online. Perhaps you can even strengthen your bond with someone by sending them this article after you’ve finished viewing all of these captivating images!
The Scoop on Cursed Pictures
Perhaps these cursed images need no introduction and no explanation, but it is still interesting to delve into what makes it so hard to look away from them.
We hope you’re enjoying these pictures that might make your brain hurt trying to understand how they came to be. Be sure to upvote the pics you found particularly disturbing or confusing! Also, let us know in the comments below how you feel about these strange, cursed photos.
