Morbidly Curious Thoughts

Unraveling the Paradox of Horror

Why aren't fantasy and science fiction stories with terrible, threatening monsters considered horror?

Sep 14 • Coltan Scrivner

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August 2026

Why Psychological Horror is So Scary

As far as I know, nobody has ever conducted an academic study asking people which sub-genre of horror is scariest and tried to explain why this is the…

Aug 28 • Coltan Scrivner

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The Beginnings of a New Theory of Fear

I’m constantly astonished at how little we truly understand very basic aspects of human nature.

Aug 1 • Coltan Scrivner

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June 2026

There are (at least) two paths to morbid curiosity

A new paper suggests there might be 6 different types of morbidly curious people

Jun 27 • Coltan Scrivner

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May 2026

Upright and Anxious

Musings on bipedalism, forward-facing eyes, and conspiracy theories

May 28 • Coltan Scrivner

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The Many Paths to a Psychopath

When we think of psychopathy, we tend to think of a “prototypical psychopath.” We imagine someone who cold, uncaring, unafraid, and manipulative.

May 12 • Coltan Scrivner

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April 2026

The Human Appetite for Aggression

Contrary to common beliefs, this subtype of aggression is not limited to a deviant minority

Apr 24 • Coltan Scrivner

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Some Musings on Screams

Human screams may broadcast extreme vulnerability rather than fear.

Apr 4 • Coltan Scrivner

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March 2026

How Hollywood Can Make Horror TV Actually Work

The psychology of binge-worthy horror

Mar 20 • Coltan Scrivner

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Obscuracon is Coming To Eureka Springs

I’ve always been interested in weird, fringe ideas.

Mar 12 • Coltan Scrivner

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February 2026

An Architecture of Horror

Three Foundational Types of Vulnerability

Feb 21 • Coltan Scrivner

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January 2026

Engineering Fear

Protagonist Vulnerability and the Evolutionary Design of Horror

Jan 30 • Coltan Scrivner and Edgar Dubourg

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