Frances Larson: Why public beheadings get millions of views

The video explores the modern phenomenon of beheadings as public spectacles, highlighting the role of technology and media in spreading these events. It delves into historical contexts of public executions, crowd behavior, and the psychological detachment enabled by online viewing. The speaker reflects on cultural fascinations with death and the implications of viewing such content.

What makes the Islamic State beheadings uniquely modern?

• They involve traditional rituals.

• They are done in secret locations.

• They are broadcasted globally via the internet.

• They are performed in ancient styles.

How did the internet impact the spread of beheading videos during the Iraq War?

• It made them less accessible.

• It prevented their distribution.

• It limited their viewership to local audiences.

• It increased their global reach and accessibility.

What psychological effect does the internet have on viewers of beheading videos?

• It makes them feel more responsible for the content.

• It encourages them to avoid such content.

• It creates a sense of detachment and anonymity.

• It makes them feel more connected to the event.

Why was the guillotine initially disappointing to the public?

• It was too slow and inefficient.

• It was too quick and lacked spectacle.

• It was considered too humane.

• It was not visible to the crowd.

What was the speaker's initial work related to that sparked her interest in the topic?

• Researching modern technology.

• Analyzing internet trends.

• Studying ancient rituals.

• Working on cranial collections at a museum.