What horror films teach us about ourselves and being human | Dr. Steven Schlozman | TEDxNashville

Summary

In this engaging talk, the speaker uses horror as a metaphorical mirror to explore profound questions about human nature and society. Drawing on personal anecdotes and iconic horror films, they argue that horror's transgressive nature captures our imagination, creating loyal fans. They delve into how horror teaches us about ourselves, entertains, and paradoxically, brings people together, fostering community and connection. The speaker, a child psychiatrist and horror enthusiast, reflects on the genre's ability to provoke thought and discussion on complex issues like mob justice and prejudice, suggesting horror's deeper, sneakily profound value.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker humorously acknowledges the audience's applause before he has even begun speaking, setting a light-hearted tone.
• 🪞 The speaker uses a mirror as a metaphor to represent how horror reflects our inner selves and society.
• 👻 He shares a personal story of encountering a vampire at age 11, illustrating the lasting impact of horror on our imagination.
• 📽️ The speaker discusses various iconic horror films and their cultural significance, such as 'The Shining', 'Rosemary's Baby', and 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'.
• 🧠 As a child psychiatrist, he explores the psychological appeal of horror, suggesting it can provoke deep thoughts and discussions about complex issues.
• 👶 Horror films often target a young audience, with the average age of first exposure being 11, indicating a formative impact on viewers.
• 🔍 The speaker delves into the cognitive processes triggered by horror, such as metacognition and pattern recognition.
• 🤡 He uses the example of clowns to explain how horror plays with our expectations and fears, fostering a sense of community and connection.
• 🧬 The speaker speculates on whether horror's ability to bring people together and provoke thought could be rooted in our social and biological nature.
• 🎬 The talk concludes with an encouragement for the audience to embrace the reflective and communal aspects of horror films.

Q & A

What is the significance of the mirror mentioned in the script?

The mirror mentioned in the script symbolizes a reflection of ourselves, highlighting both our own and the speaker's flaws, as well as a reflection of anyone who looks at it, with the exception of the person in the picture who 'shouldn't show up on film.'

What does the speaker suggest about horror that makes it appealing to audiences?

The speaker suggests that horror teaches us about ourselves, entertains us, and helps us to love each other more, despite it sounding cliché.

What personal story does the speaker share about encountering a vampire?

The speaker shares a story from when they were eleven years old in 1978, where they saw a vampire hovering outside a window, attempting to gain entry. The vampire was described as having long nails, glowing yellow eyes, and was smiling.

What was the speaker's reaction to seeing the vampire as a child?

The speaker ran upstairs, turned on every light in the house, and made crosses out of tongue depressors and rubber bands to protect themselves, despite being Jewish and not typically using crosses.

Which movie is referenced when the speaker talks about the vampire from their childhood?

The movie referenced is 'Salem's Lot,' a made-for-TV movie that scared the speaker as a child.

What does the speaker claim about the average age when people see their first horror movie?

The speaker claims that the average age when people see their first horror movie is eleven years old.

Why does the speaker believe that horror films can lead to profound discussions?

The speaker believes that horror films can lead to profound discussions because they present extreme scenarios that allow viewers to explore complex moral and ethical questions more easily than in real-life situations.

What is the significance of the character Freddy Krueger in the speaker's discussion?

Freddy Krueger is used to illustrate how horror can make viewers confront difficult moral questions. Despite being a monster, his backstory humanizes him, making the audience question justice and mob rule.

How does the speaker relate the concept of pattern recognition to horror films?

The speaker relates pattern recognition to horror films by explaining how our brains recognize when something is slightly off, which can create a sense of fear. Horror films exploit this by presenting familiar scenarios in unsettling ways.

What role does the speaker suggest that horror films play in social bonding?

The speaker suggests that horror films create community and connection. They provide a shared experience where it is expected and acceptable to react out loud, fostering a sense of togetherness among viewers.

What does the speaker propose about the function of the distorted mirror in relation to horror?

The speaker proposes that the distorted mirror in horror serves as a metaphor for how horror can reflect our own flaws and vulnerabilities back to us in a way that allows us to confront and accept them, leading to self-improvement and a deeper understanding of ourselves.