Do People Mentally Get 'Off' From the Hype of End of the World Theories/Conspiracies/Claims and?

When I look at this website (for example) along with other websites that enable the sharing of people's thoughts, etc, I see people partaking in this hype about the end of the world, and obsessing about multiple theories (practically new theories every day) about the world ending and impending catastrophic events like "a super volcano that is going to erupt at any moment" or "a tidal wave that is going to hit (blank blank) country and trigger an earthquake that will make the magnetic poles shift" or "the outbreak of ebola and how it is spreading to our countries in large amounts- Western countries that is (when it obviously is not) and how it is going to wipe everyone out", etc..

These people constantly obsess about these things and seem to get some sort of psychological arousal/thrill from it, which isn't a mystery or anything in terms of why- from a psychological stand point. It's almost as if it is a fetish that many people have.. It's ridiculous. Yet at the same time very curious. I'm expecting people who do all of the above that i'm describing to read this post and surely snap back in replies, so i'll address those of you directly when I ask WHY do you get so pumped up over the idea of something catastrophic happening, the world perishing & ending, people dying, your loved ones dying and you dying (this is what your theories predict after all)? Why out of all things to obsess about and consume your time and constant daily thinking about, would you choose this, something so unhealthy (not to mention irrational, with no ACTUAL comprehensive scientific basis besides the things collected by you and others during this craze which is then deemed to be "evidence"- although to the rational mind it is not in anyway so)..

It's really bothering me lately, because so many people are doing this, every where I look people are participating in this mass state of delusion.. I get that it is probably a psychological thrill and adrenaline rush to brew up these theories and think of such things occurring (something that your subconscious mind probably finds to be exciting compared to everyday repetitive life), but isn't there something else that one would seemingly find to obsess and brew about, something that is gee, I don't know, not a form of obsessions about everyone and everything being wiped off of the planet and the world ending as we know it? Something that ISN'T unhealthy to your mental state of being (which it is to obsess on a constant basis about horrific end of the world conspiracies/theories)..

I just don't understand it (personally). And I know that most of you would not admit to it and that many of you don't even realize it, but how can you practically 'get off' to obsessing about various forms of an apocalypse? Do these types of people (if you're not one of them, you know what i'm talking about) 'get off' from this stuff?

They do certainly "get off" from the idea, and here is why. It all really comes down to human psychology, and the fact that everyone is vying to be superior to one another, this in turn causes us to "elect" leaders and so on for our own interests, or in some cases causes leaders to elect themselves (dictatorship).

Now going further into the subject, because our world is so cleverly divided into race , religion etc..people have lost their sense of strength and unity. As such, they have lost their knowledge that the power to change things is within their own grasp, causing them invariably to wish for some higher force to deal out punishment for them.

I know you may be wondering how those two thoughts tie in together, well essentially you take the ingrained need for control (power) and you add a pinch of insecurity, plus a spoon full of loss of connection to the world around (them), and you get people who wish for the "apocalypse" to occur.

To simplify it even more..this makes them feel in their minds that they are superior but they lack the knowledge on how to make their primitive need a reality so they seek out a higher force to do it for them.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

I have my own opinion.

I understand that in this world you basically work, eat and sleep for much of your life.

Some people are bored with their life and would like some change or action.

When an "end of the world" prophecy comes then they see a potential event that could change the way they live their lives, and look forward to it.

Personally I don't "get off" on apocalyptic scenarios. To me it's the advent of the internet informing us of many more disasters worldwide, than we were ever exposed to on our nightly news, couple with the socio-economic aspects of poverty and unemployment, and you create a mindset of LACK + DISASTER. In my humble opinion, that equates to being a prepper. The more footage you see, and the more FEMA and Red Cross remind us of 72 hour kits , the more it gets drilled in and becomes part of our reality. When you think it, you seek it out, online and off. It's not for a rush, it's just become part of our lives in this generation. How do you think our elders made it through the war years?

a reply to: AccessDenied

How do you think our elders made it through the war years?

By preparing for the worst and hoping for the best?

The OP is asking why some people get "arousal/thrill" from apocalyptic events though.

originally posted by: danielsil18
a reply to: AccessDenied

How do you think our elders made it through the war years?

By preparing for the worst and hoping for the best?

The OP is asking why some people get "arousal/thrill" from apocalyptic events though.

I was explaining "prepper " mentality, which goes part and parcel with those who may be deemed to "get off" on doom.

originally posted by: threeeyesopen
because our world is so cleverly divided into race , religion etc..people have lost their sense of strength and unity. As such, they have lost their knowledge that the power to change things is within their own grasp

Bingo. That's it.

All these people who get off on this sort of thing, really, want someone or something to push the reset button and start all over again. They feel as if the world has gone to hell in a handbasket and that no one or nothing can save it.

I'll admit, I get this way sometimes myself. I think we all do at this point. But more and more people are starting to realize that not only are they the solution, but they're also the problem when they don't do anything about what they perceive to be wrong.

I think people reflect the world around them. When unsure about income, housing, lifestyle, whatever, this is presented to them in the media over and again (most movies and news stories are about just that-- the end of the world).

So we parrot that insecurity and what better place than the fringe Internet where all the fringe types hang out?

Like others, I come here to delve into possibilities. With the Internet and instant info from around the world, we see whats really going on… everywhere.

Theres no need to make stuff up. its the realest reality show going. Try not to dwell on the over the top personalities and just sift the data.

To a lot of people it's the ultimate fantasy. A great big reset switch where they can start anew. Forge new beginnings and even feel like an epic, legendary figure who survived the worst and emerged as a stronger, more successful (how they define it) individual.

Like a lot of you here, I see how history repeats itself and how things are not going well at all.

I'm not a fan of doom porn but i do like the idea of the big reset button being pressed.
If that happened and i was among the survivors i could go live the way i like where i like and stay there as long as i care to without someone telling me that i have to give them money and get permission to build my home.

I like sci-fi and fantasy. To me, TEOTWAWKI scenarios are just another avenue for that kind of fantasizing. There are some scenarios that I think have some plausibility to happen soon like a flu pandemic or that the volcanic eruption in Iceland could develop into something that negatively impacts our climate causing a year or so of bitter cold with all the associated impacts or an economic crash or a widespread generational war. However, I'm not prepping for them, if they happen, I'll adapt as best I can with my family and my society.

Gaming them through in my head only lets me play out the possibilities in advance to rough out a game plan. It lets me feel like I'll be less flat-footed if they do happen. Maybe it lets me feel more in control. Who can say? In the meantime, I have fun with it just like a do when I read a book that has a similar theme in a made-up world.

originally posted by: danielsil18
a reply to: TheIceQueen

I have my own opinion.

I understand that in this world you basically work, eat and sleep for much of your life.

Some people are bored with their life and would like some change or action.

When an "end of the world" prophecy comes then they see a potential event that could change the way they live their lives, and look forward to it.

I was thinking the same thing.

A new "kickstart" in life where one can finally take some semblance of control rather than be controlled.

Peace

You got very broad view here, which you generalize to apply to every issue which might or might not present Doom Porn.
Everyone has a choice here, either you go by the carefully selected news provided by "top" media houses and choose to live in the dark, then all you care about is social media and Facebook, etc. And you will be fine with your brainwashed mind that tells you " there is nothing wrong in the World " or you can choose to think out of the box and find what is really going on and what is not. Even if you choose to take more effort to find out what goes on behind the veil it doesn´t make you are fan of Doom Porn here, of course, there are people who does, but i dare to say ATS is not like that, there are interesting views and arguments and also counter-arguments.. You can pick the poison.

I think: People feel so seperated ,-the mind invented so many artificial barriers and frontiers that doom porn gives a feeling of "unity".

Its like a need for a direct experience that is not only mind #.

originally posted by: danielsil18
a reply to: AccessDenied

How do you think our elders made it through the war years?

By preparing for the worst and hoping for the best?

The OP is asking why some people get "arousal/thrill" from apocalyptic events though.

I think that it could, in part, for some people, be the cause of the DRASTIC differences in the way that our ancestors lived compared compared to the way that we do now, with everything at the touch of a TOUCH screen. Food? No problem, just go up the road whenever you feel like it and get a fast food meal, or hey- you don't even have to do that, have it delivered to you on one of the many new app based food delivery options.
Communication/Interaction? No need for traveling by horse or by wagon, let alone even by automobile to "see" or talk to who you want, just use what normal human interaction has been replaced with- and skype them, or text them, or press a button and speak to them, no need to even get up from where you are to do any of the above since 99.99% of people constantly have their phone right beside them at all times.

These are just a couple of very basic examples, but, compared to how it used to be- not even two-three generations ago, the way that humans live has changed drastically. There is no physical exertion what so ever (unless one decides to work out), there is no need for thinking on your toes any more, such as what you will do to survive and live in the day to day life that our ancestors did which compared to the way we are now involved (staying on our toes).. Our ancestors exerted adrenaline and chemicals in the past that were merely apart of life, really- what up until recently was apart of being a human being in day to day life.. Now, with humans in front of screens 90% of the day, completely reliant on machines at the touch of a button, completely non-self reliant and reliant on things that do everything for you, these chemicals and behavioral rhythms are not expressed, as they have been (to put it drastically) since the stone ages.. It's a shock.

Thus, I think that maybe people involving themselves in this hype, are doing so due to their suppressed feeling of 'exertion' or 'rush' that their ancestors had, that is apart of them, in their genes.. Perhaps it gives them the excitement and adrenaline rush that our ancestors used to partake in daily...

It's got nothing to do with people dying. The reason why people may crave and look forward to the world ending is because it's exciting. I do kinda get off on it. I'm one of those people half in, half out. It makes my boring life exciting, the idea of the world turning upside down. Gives me something to look forward to and prepare for. And I do enjoy the idea of it all going up in flames or descending into a sort of post-apocalyptic thing, but it's never because I want people to die. Sure, death does kinda come with it, but it's the excitement of being one of the few to survive. Do I actually want people to die? No, of course not.

I assume you're talking mostly about those who take it in a very extreme way. Beyond serious prepping. I think there's a big shift happening. Between science and intuition. I think people know something is going to happen, and knowing that just really gets their blood pumping. At least, it's this way for me. I have no scientific 'facts' for it, but in my gut, I know it. Maybe it fuels their desire to know which scenario it's going to be. But I would like to point something out. Just as a thought.

Why out of all things to obsess about and consume your time and constant daily thinking about, would you choose this, something so unhealthy (not to mention irrational, with no ACTUAL comprehensive scientific basis besides the things collected by you and others during this craze which is then deemed to be "evidence"- although to the rational mind it is not in anyway so).

Anything, in extreme amounts, can be unhealthy, yes. But it in itself, isn't unhealthy. In the above, you say there is no "ACTUAL" scientific proof. But there is. At least they think so. Whatever information they gathered is proof enough for them, just not proof enough for you. That's what it comes down to, isn't it? How much 'proof' do you need before it becomes something you, personally, would consider 'fact'? These things haven't happened yet, you can't really get concrete 'facts' for things that haven't happened. The End can come in a million different ways, you can only try to piece together what you know and see what the puzzle looks like. Something new happens, a new piece, a new picture. Which is constantly updated. It's a puzzle that's never ending. Every day things can change, pieces shift, scenarios alter.

It's really bothering me lately, because so many people are doing this, every where I look people are participating in this mass state of delusion.. I get that it is probably a psychological thrill and adrenaline rush to brew up these theories and think of such things occurring (something that your subconscious mind probably finds to be exciting compared to everyday repetitive life), but isn't there something else that one would seemingly find to obsess and brew about, something that is gee, I don't know, not a form of obsessions about everyone and everything being wiped off of the planet and the world ending as we know it? Something that ISN'T unhealthy to your mental state of being (which it is to obsess on a constant basis about horrific end of the world conspiracies/theories)..

It really bothers you that so many people are doing this. Maybe also, that more and more will be doing this as the days go by. A slow brewing fad, maybe? A "mass state of delusion", something "unhealthy to your mental state of being". It's not. I'd say the whole idea is a good one. If none of these scenarios ever play out, what you end up with is hours of looking at information, piecing things together, exciting stories, and things to do. If nothing happens, at least you were entertained. But that entertainment is productive. If nothing ever happens, you end up with a larder full of food, extra water on hand, weaponry, and a mind knowledgeable with what to do should certain things happen. Volcanic eruption didn't happen? At least you know where that volcano is. Geology. Aliens didn't invade? Well, at least you know more about the moon than anyone in you immediate circle of friends. None of this is bad to know. Sure some people may get crazy, but under the crazy there are some good results. If, on the other hand, any of their scenarios were actually true and actually happened, they'd be prepared physically and mentally. They're not going to fall into shock and perish. One of those: If nothing happens, no harm done, but if something happens and you're not ready, you're screwed.

If you're only concerned with why people get physically/emotionally 'turned on' by all this, just the surface level of these things, then yeah. The End of the World as we know it. High stakes. Live or die. Only people who are prepared for it will survive. Etc. That's pretty exhilarating just by itself. And you get to participate in it. It's not something you have to imagine at a distance, you can get involved and do things. Which, if you have a very boring life, really makes life exciting again.

Doom porn fits in perfectly with the Apocalypse/Armageddon scenario of the fundamentalist Christians.

The book of Revelations is real to Christians and interpreted in any number of ways to predict the END Biblically.



www.earlychristianwritings.com...

And as ATS becomes more conservative and Christian; I expect there will be an upswing in "getting off" stories and predictions.
This is what they believe....

www.salon.com...

I agree with danielsil18 that the world can get boring and "doom porn" is something that helps to make the story more interesting. Not only the doom porn, but the stories of government conspiracy, aliens, civil unrest and all of it are like a really good novel played out in real life. Not everybody that reads this stuff wants life to change dramatically, sometimes it's about getting a different perspective on current events or maybe just for the entertainment value. For me personally, I like raising my family, hanging with friends, growing my business and having fun, all of which is still totally possible in this world, although if ATS were your only news source you might get a totally different perspective. If SHTF and were all really doomed then so be it. Honestly, though, I suspect that I'll die of old age waiting for any of this "doom" stuff to pan out.

Doomsday porn.
Whoever came up with that term is great. Perfectly gives another name to it

I think there are political forces actively working to bring about the Apocalypse.

paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com...