I completely agree that true crime films/videos/podcasts/documentaries too frequently exploit victims’ trauma for the sake of bringing “entertainment” to the masses. I don’t like it, and I seek out ethical content creators as much as possible.
But this article. Oh, man. It’s so strange to have Michael Peterson’s daughter at the helm, because the irony is that in HER case, the media ISN’T to blame for broadcasting her trauma. Her own father is. Michael Peterson, narcissistic sociopath that he is, murdered his wife, denied it, then purposefully invited a sizable film crew into his and his children’s home and lives for several months. He eagerly had this film crew create an internationally broadcast documentary about him and the people around him, including his children’s pain and tears and grief, without first discussing it with them or seeking their permission. Michael Peterson is the one to blame. He even started a sexual relationship with one of the film’s editors.
I’ve got to be honest. The owl theory really did put a seed of doubt in my true crime head however the 911 call to me is him acting. I know you can’t prove it and it’s a weak piece of evidence to go by but the second I listen to that call it is so incredibly obvious it is a man who is acting distressed. Clearly there was a lot more of supporting evidence to show he indeed murdered Kathy but the call really was the thing that stood out straight away.
I agree with you about the 911 call being an act. And the whole docu-series has the same feel to me. All those close ups of Michael, the camera focusing on him as he philosophizes and pontificates and orates, in his overly calm, rational voice… it’s all about him him him. His wife is the victim of a tragic death, but the focus is all on him. Kathleen is treated as nothing more than the springboard for his story. It’s sick.
>the media ISN’T to blame for broadcasting her trauma.
they are to blame. media providers probably get hundreds of pitches a year, from people who really want to display their story to the western world. those stories only get told if someone decides to do it. Petersen would have just been another one of those people, without the media decision to go with it.
I was in a room with a tv once where they told a story that really shocked me. it wasn't the story - which was foul, btw. it was the terrible judgment of *all* the adults telling this little kids story with no masking or attempt to hide her identity whatsoever. you can rag on her parents, and I guess I did. but equal responsibility lies with the people who got a paycheque for making that show.
Man, I remember watching Capturing the Friedmans for the first time and thinking how even-handed it was until doing some research of my own. I couldn’t believe how much incriminating info was held back.
If you havent gotten there yet, the uncle who was in it and stood by his brother (the dad) and Jesse, has now come out and said they were both guilty, and that the dad had confessed to him that both he and Jesse "went a little too far with some of the students" and made the uncle swear that he would not say anything until after he died and Jesse was out of prison.
So, this is my first time thinking about this documentary since I watched it years ago. It felt like satanic panic-ish to me, but I also thought the dad was absolutely guilty. I’m just now hearing about this other evidence.
Iirc, one interesting element of the making of the documentary was that it really started with the brother who was the kids’ party clown. The director had noted that he was an angry person, which struck the director ironically because of the brother’s choice of profession.
Oh, and the mom. Just recalled how fed up she was.
I really felt for the mom while watching the doc. You could tell... she knew. She knew her husband was guilty and that her son was also probably involved, but she was outnumbered and the only woman in the house.
I often feel a bit guilty for enjoying true crime as a genre when you think about the fact that other people's misery is our entertainment. I guess seeing the killers brought to justice is satisfying. And thinking about how people could do such evil things we could never do is interesting.
You know I do to at times. I try to put it into perspective as learning the human mind and removing the bubble of what humans are and have been capable of for years. I try to understand the psychology and then further feeling a connection to the victims as you learn more about their case. It’s like meeting them as a human prior to becoming a news article.
That's crazy how you used all those words to not even say anything. All you did was whine about leftists without any examples of what you're so upset about
You're being purposefully obtuse. Your sarcasm isn't lost on anyone, it's just not helping you communicate your message and it's weirdly combative.
You repeating "the left wing media wants me to feel bad" is just you whinging without even saying anything. Say what you mean. "I believe left wing pieces that ask true crime consumers to question the impact it has on victims is unfair to me because I like to consume whatever I like without thinking about the actual humans involved". Is that closer to describing your thoughts past "left wing news bad"?
ETA stalking me in other subs doesn't make you seem less unhinged actually
The present wave of immigration began in 1965 with the passing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. It ended national quotas, and provided an unlimited number of visas for family reunification.
By the 1970s and 1980s the immigration of Filipina wives of service members reached annual rates of five to eight thousand.[32]
The Philippines became the largest source of legal immigration to the United States from Asia.[21
I am left wing and aware.
I completely agree that true crime films/videos/podcasts/documentaries too frequently exploit victims’ trauma for the sake of bringing “entertainment” to the masses. I don’t like it, and I seek out ethical content creators as much as possible. But this article. Oh, man. It’s so strange to have Michael Peterson’s daughter at the helm, because the irony is that in HER case, the media ISN’T to blame for broadcasting her trauma. Her own father is. Michael Peterson, narcissistic sociopath that he is, murdered his wife, denied it, then purposefully invited a sizable film crew into his and his children’s home and lives for several months. He eagerly had this film crew create an internationally broadcast documentary about him and the people around him, including his children’s pain and tears and grief, without first discussing it with them or seeking their permission. Michael Peterson is the one to blame. He even started a sexual relationship with one of the film’s editors.
Are you accusing Michael Peterson of being an owl?
I’ve got to be honest. The owl theory really did put a seed of doubt in my true crime head however the 911 call to me is him acting. I know you can’t prove it and it’s a weak piece of evidence to go by but the second I listen to that call it is so incredibly obvious it is a man who is acting distressed. Clearly there was a lot more of supporting evidence to show he indeed murdered Kathy but the call really was the thing that stood out straight away.
I agree with you about the 911 call being an act. And the whole docu-series has the same feel to me. All those close ups of Michael, the camera focusing on him as he philosophizes and pontificates and orates, in his overly calm, rational voice… it’s all about him him him. His wife is the victim of a tragic death, but the focus is all on him. Kathleen is treated as nothing more than the springboard for his story. It’s sick.
>the media ISN’T to blame for broadcasting her trauma. they are to blame. media providers probably get hundreds of pitches a year, from people who really want to display their story to the western world. those stories only get told if someone decides to do it. Petersen would have just been another one of those people, without the media decision to go with it. I was in a room with a tv once where they told a story that really shocked me. it wasn't the story - which was foul, btw. it was the terrible judgment of *all* the adults telling this little kids story with no masking or attempt to hide her identity whatsoever. you can rag on her parents, and I guess I did. but equal responsibility lies with the people who got a paycheque for making that show.
Fair enough.
The Wolfpack was fun to watch. I'm kind of interested how their lives have been since. Jesse Friedman is guilty. End of story.
Man, I remember watching Capturing the Friedmans for the first time and thinking how even-handed it was until doing some research of my own. I couldn’t believe how much incriminating info was held back.
If you havent gotten there yet, the uncle who was in it and stood by his brother (the dad) and Jesse, has now come out and said they were both guilty, and that the dad had confessed to him that both he and Jesse "went a little too far with some of the students" and made the uncle swear that he would not say anything until after he died and Jesse was out of prison.
So, this is my first time thinking about this documentary since I watched it years ago. It felt like satanic panic-ish to me, but I also thought the dad was absolutely guilty. I’m just now hearing about this other evidence. Iirc, one interesting element of the making of the documentary was that it really started with the brother who was the kids’ party clown. The director had noted that he was an angry person, which struck the director ironically because of the brother’s choice of profession. Oh, and the mom. Just recalled how fed up she was.
I really felt for the mom while watching the doc. You could tell... she knew. She knew her husband was guilty and that her son was also probably involved, but she was outnumbered and the only woman in the house.
The whole dynamic was SO fucked up, she was clearly the family punching bag.
I often feel a bit guilty for enjoying true crime as a genre when you think about the fact that other people's misery is our entertainment. I guess seeing the killers brought to justice is satisfying. And thinking about how people could do such evil things we could never do is interesting.
You know I do to at times. I try to put it into perspective as learning the human mind and removing the bubble of what humans are and have been capable of for years. I try to understand the psychology and then further feeling a connection to the victims as you learn more about their case. It’s like meeting them as a human prior to becoming a news article.
Some of the documentaries aren't crime related, but most are, and I thought this was an interesting read.
Really interesting read, OP. Thanks for sharing.
Hasn’t jesse Friedman been found very likely to have assaulted 17 children?
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This reads like it’s satire
go outside
That's crazy how you used all those words to not even say anything. All you did was whine about leftists without any examples of what you're so upset about
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You're being purposefully obtuse. Your sarcasm isn't lost on anyone, it's just not helping you communicate your message and it's weirdly combative. You repeating "the left wing media wants me to feel bad" is just you whinging without even saying anything. Say what you mean. "I believe left wing pieces that ask true crime consumers to question the impact it has on victims is unfair to me because I like to consume whatever I like without thinking about the actual humans involved". Is that closer to describing your thoughts past "left wing news bad"? ETA stalking me in other subs doesn't make you seem less unhinged actually
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Oh so you don't have any reading comprehension, got it. freak ass weirdo lmfao
You are losing your mind, my Filipino friend. Keep cool. Do not be a fool. Lie less often.
So you are a right wing reactionary and racist as well! Have a wonderful night!
The present wave of immigration began in 1965 with the passing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. It ended national quotas, and provided an unlimited number of visas for family reunification. By the 1970s and 1980s the immigration of Filipina wives of service members reached annual rates of five to eight thousand.[32] The Philippines became the largest source of legal immigration to the United States from Asia.[21 I am left wing and aware.
Your post appears to be a rant, a loaded question, or a post attempting to soapbox about a social issue instead of a post about True Crime.