About this episodeTrue crime author Harold Shear discusses his transition from academia to writing, emphasizing deep historical …AI summary
True crime author Harold Shear discusses his transition from academia to writing, emphasizing deep historical research over sensationalism. He critiques the Netflix series 'Monster' for its historical inaccuracies regarding Ed Gein, clarifying that Gein was a necrophile and grave robber rather than a serial killer, and contrasts this with the sadistic nature of true serial killers like Albert Fish.
Key takeaways 5
Research Methodology: Shear approaches true crime as a 'crime historian,' utilizing thousands of pages of primary sources including trial transcripts, psychiatric reports, and local phone books to transform dry material into compelling narratives.
Ed Gein Misconceptions: Ed Gein was not a serial killer but a necrophile and grave robber who killed two women swiftly to obtain corpses for his mother; the myth of him inspiring multiple serial killers is false.
Netflix 'Monster' Critique: The show's portrayal of Ed Gein is largely fabricated, including Nazi obsessions, an affair with Adelyn Watkins, and helping solve the Ted Bundy case, none of which are historically accurate.
Psychological Motivation: Shear attributes the public's fascination with true crime to Carl Jung's concept of the 'shadow side' and William James's 'carnivore within,' suggesting people vicariously explore taboo violent impulses safely.
Historical Context of Collecting: The fascination with crime memorabilia is not new; in the 19th century, executioners sold pieces of hangman's ropes and mobs tore down murder houses for souvenirs.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I've come to think of myself less as a true crime writer than a crime historian.”
▶ 05:38Shear distinguishes his rigorous, archival approach from typical true crime journalism.
“The virtuous man dreams what the wicked man does.”
▶ 19:11Shear quotes Plato to explain why audiences are drawn to true crime stories.
“Ed Gein was not a serial killer... He executed them very swiftly... he'd run out of bodies in the graveyard and he needed a couple of corpses.”
Clarifying the actual nature of Ed Gein's crimes versus the popular myth.
“It's the truth, even if it didn't happen.”
▶ 33:56Shear references Ken Kesey's 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' to describe his early writing style in 'Deviant,' acknowledging creative liberties taken for narrative effect.
“I don't know if your listeners are familiar with Fish... most people consider him the most heinous serial murderer in the annals of American crime. He was a cannibal pedophile who went around the country tor horribly torturing young children.”
▶ 11:00Shear describes the extreme depravity of Albert Fish to contrast with Gein.
Chapters & Sections (92)▼
00:00Becoming an Expert on Serial Killerschapter3
00:00Serial Killer Authors and Media Representation
00:52Film Adaptations and Historical Crime Figures Accuracy
01:24Becoming an Expert on Serial Killers
02:08Author's Background and Writing Careerchapter3
02:08Living on a Professor's Salary in 1970s NYC
02:52Writing Commercial Books for Academic Income
03:23Ed Gein's Influence on Horror Movies
04:10Writing True Crime Books and Research Methodschapter2
04:10Writing True Crime Books and Research Methods
05:11True Crime Research and Historical Approach
05:48Conducting Interviews in Ed Gein's Hometownchapter3
05:48Interviewing Ed Gein's Neighbors and Experts
06:25Researching Local Information in Plainfield
07:07Research Methods for Writing True Crime Books
08:01Balancing Research and Personal Life as a True Crime Writerchapter3
08:01Writing Compelling True Crime Narratives
08:37Maintaining Professionalism in Dark Research
09:06Psychopathic Serial Killers in Popular Culture
09:41Dealing with Dark True Crime Story Sensationschapter2
09:41Childhood Exposure to Disturbing Content
10:08The Dark Reality of Serial Killers and Victims
11:04Serial Murderers and Their Motivations Exploredchapter2
11:04Serial Murderer Ed Gein's Crimes and Motivations
12:14Desensitization to Traumatic Experiences
12:54Fascination with True Crime Explainedchapter2
12:54Aberrant Psychology and Misconceptions in True Crime
14:08Origins and Evolution of True Crime Genre
14:57Human Attraction to Violent and Gruesome Taleschapter2
14:57Human Attraction to Violent and Gruesome Stories
15:56The Psychology of Primordial Violence and Repression
16:47The Psychology of Fascination with Serial Killerschapter2
16:47The Psychology of Fascination with Serial Killers
17:37Childhood Influences on Fascination with Monsters
18:31True Crime Fascination Explained by Expertschapter2
18:31True Crime Fascination Explained by Psychology
19:22Psychological Significance of Serial Killer Stories
20:39Authorship and Ownership of True Crime Storieschapter2
20:39Author's Emotional Investment in True Crime Stories
21:24Ed Gein's Public Awareness and Cultural Impact
22:30Debunking Ed Gein's Portrayal in Popular Mediachapter3
22:30Debunking Misconceptions about Ed Gein's Legend
23:06Ed Gein's Influence on Popular Culture
23:38Criticisms of Ed Gein Netflix Series Portrayal
24:08Author's Concerns Over Netflix's Ed Gein Adaptationchapter2
24:08Author's Concerns Over Netflix's Ed Gein Adaptation
25:11Portrayal of Infamous Outlaws in Popular Culture
25:41Criticisms of Hollywood Portrayals of True Crimechapter2
25:41Criticisms of Hollywood Biopic Portrayals of True Stories
26:21Debunking Ed Gein Serial Killer Myths and Misconceptions
27:23Distinguishing Mass Murderers from Serial Killerschapter1
27:23Distinguishing Mass Murderers from Serial Killers
29:09Ed Gein's Motivations and Grave Robbery Practiceschapter
30:29Ed Gein's Unconventional Use of Human Remainschapter2
30:29Ed Gein's Methods of Furniture Crafting
30:57Necrophilia and Ed Gein's Misrepresented Story
32:09Debunking Misconceptions in True Crime Narrativeschapter3
32:09Debunking Nazi Obsession in Ed Gein's Life
32:38Ed Gein Biographical Accuracy in Media Representations
33:22Creative Liberties in True Crime Storytelling
33:58Debunking Ed Gein Netflix Series Inaccuracieschapter3
33:58Debunking Inaccuracies in Ed Gein Biographies
34:36Debunking Misinformation in Ed Gein's Life
35:03Debunking Ed Gein's Portrayal in Media
36:00Misrepresentation of True Crime in Mediachapter3
36:00Netflix's Portrayal of Ed Gein's Life
36:39Criticisms of Creative Liberties in True Crime Dramatizations
37:04Debunking Netflix Show's Inaccuracies about Ed Gein
37:29Misrepresentation of Ed Gein's Story in Mediachapter2
37:29Misrepresentation of Ed Gein's Story in Media
38:18Humanizing Serial Killers in Media Portrayals
38:59The Nature of Evil in Ed Gein's Actionschapter2
38:59Debunking Misconceptions about Ed Gein's Personality
39:43Differences Between Corpse and Tortured Animal Sourced Materials
40:12The Albert Fish Story's Hollywood Adaptation Challengeschapter2
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