Ewww Gross!

What is it about pimple popping that you think fascinates and intrigues people so much? 

It really pulls on emotions for people. It’s so interesting because something that is based on something gross and shocking actually makes people happy. It relaxes them, it decreases their anxiety, it’s thrilling. And when people like it, they don’t just like it ― they’re obsessed.

(the above is from an interview with Dr. Pimple Popper)

I don’t particularly love the TV show Dr. Pimple Popper, but my kids like it. And I don’t tell them to turn it off. I have a very sensitive gag reflex, so I am always sure to have a throw pillow close by, to put in front of my face, whenever the kids are indulging in some watching of some bulging cysts being excised or a weird rash being scraped.

Yesterday, I had to take my daughter to the doctor because she had a clogged ear. When they performed the cleaning and drainage on her ear, so much crud came out of it, I am convinced that our ear canals really should be called the Erie canals. The crazy thing is, we were all fascinated with the little plastic tub filled with her ear wax and gook. Different nurses came in to check it out, my daughter kept asking me to bring it over to her, and even I seemed drawn to the tub, like a moth to the flame. Later yesterday evening, my daughter was lamenting that she should have taken a picture of it. I guess that it would have made great material for her social media.

Why do shows like Dr. Pimple Popper even exist? Why do we find our selves interested in gross stuff? This is taken from an article entitled There’s a Reason Why We Like to Click on Gross Stuff on the Internet:

“The evolutionary idea is, what’s functional about disgust? It keeps us safe,” Skolnick continues. “Rotten food has a sour, bitter flavor, and that’s a cue to us. We spit it out.” The weird taste and nasty smell protect you from eating bacteria that might make you sick. Photos or videos of wounds serve a similar purpose. Skolnick often kicks off one of his psychology classes by encouraging students not to Google image search “recluse spider bite”-though, of course, they do, and you might right now. “Sometimes we’re disgusted when we see someone with red rashes or welts. We don’t want to stand next to them. That disgust keeps us safe from contagious elements.”

So if that explains why we need disgust, why do we like disgust (you know you’ve clicked play on at least one cringe-inducing video that’s popped up on your Facebook feed)? Clark McCauley, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Bryn Mawr College, has some ideas. “It’s similar to why people go on roller coasters. You feel fear, even though you know you’re safe,” he says. “You get a big arousal value out of them.” . . . . . Skolnick also compares Googling gross stuff to watching a scary movie. The whole point is to freak yourself out in a completely controlled, secure environment-you’re never really in danger.

I’ve decided that no matter how controlled the environment, I don’t need too much of this kind of excitement in my life. Uncontrolled gagging is not a pleasant experience. Still, my curiosity sometimes gets to the best of me, I must admit.

“Revel in grossness. Leave food in your teeth. Proudly display feminine hygiene products.” 
― Jennifer Ziegler, How Not to Be Popular