We’re talking about an irrational fear here. Just because it’s generally irrational, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a valid base that the irrationality stems from. Evolution has hardwired us to be fearful of certain things, usually that is just a general discomfort and avoidance, but for some people those fears go beyond the rational response. Clowns may seem like a silly thing to be afraid of to someone that’s not scared of them, because you have a rational response to that stimulus.
For a more general example, let’s look at a different phobia, one that people often reference incorrectly, referencing general discomfort as if it were a phobia, claustrophobia. Humans generally don’t like cramped or small confined spaces, it reduces mobility and options, which evolutionary meant survival, but to those with claustrophobia that instead feels like a real life or death situation, regardless of actual safety. You put a “normal” person in a dog crate and they’ll be uncomfortable but they know they aren’t going to die just by being in there. Put someone claustrophobic in one however and they’ll likely feel like they can’t breathe and are dying, despite there clearly being enough airflow, and while they know there’s enough air, their fear won’t let them process that correctly, it’s irrational.
I want to know whose idea it was to paint bold whimsical colors on a person’s face in the first place? Like who thought that was a good idea, and what was the effect they were going for?
I don’t understand fear of clowns
Many fears are not logical. Clowns though sort of make sense.
Being fearful of something that CLEARLY is out of place goes straight back to evolutionary reactions to our world.
If that was the case we wouldn’t have circus and rodeo clowns, both of which are lightheated fun and not terrifying demons of the night.
We’re talking about an irrational fear here. Just because it’s generally irrational, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a valid base that the irrationality stems from. Evolution has hardwired us to be fearful of certain things, usually that is just a general discomfort and avoidance, but for some people those fears go beyond the rational response. Clowns may seem like a silly thing to be afraid of to someone that’s not scared of them, because you have a rational response to that stimulus.
For a more general example, let’s look at a different phobia, one that people often reference incorrectly, referencing general discomfort as if it were a phobia, claustrophobia. Humans generally don’t like cramped or small confined spaces, it reduces mobility and options, which evolutionary meant survival, but to those with claustrophobia that instead feels like a real life or death situation, regardless of actual safety. You put a “normal” person in a dog crate and they’ll be uncomfortable but they know they aren’t going to die just by being in there. Put someone claustrophobic in one however and they’ll likely feel like they can’t breathe and are dying, despite there clearly being enough airflow, and while they know there’s enough air, their fear won’t let them process that correctly, it’s irrational.
My family was killed by a rodeo clown.
I want to know whose idea it was to paint bold whimsical colors on a person’s face in the first place? Like who thought that was a good idea, and what was the effect they were going for?
Probably entertainment before TV
Uncanny Valley is probably the main culprit. It’s close enough to human, but not.
That’s why I hate mimes probably.
R.I.P. Ronald McDonald. Killed by the great clown scare of the twenty teens.
I remember the murder clowns if 2016. And then one was elected into the highest office (with some electoral college fuckery).
I’ve got a theory that John Wayne Gacy paved the way for that fear. Not saying it wasn’t around before, but after you’d feel pretty vindicated.
My best drummer was a clown. His whole family was clowns. I wish I’d kept in touch.
Haha you could contact him again?
last I heard he’s an actuary so i’m not sure he’s anything like what I knew him