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This episode explores the complex, centuries-old phenomenon of dark tourism, examining why people visit sites of death, disaster, and suffering, and how social media and digital technology have transformed the practice. Host Sana Kadar speaks with tourism management researcher Craig White, digital heritage researcher Nicole Basaraba, and museum curator Mariko Smith about everything from battlefield tours in Ukraine and selfies at Holocaust memorials to virtual ghost-hunting channels on YouTube and colonial history sites. The guests explain that while some travelers seek morbid thrills or thoughtlessly chase social media clout, many others visit out of historical curiosity, educational motives, or a desire to pay respects. They also debate the ethics of memorial etiquette, the role of living memory in defining a dark site, and whether terms like dark tourism marginalize Indigenous histories.
The episode opens with the host Sana Kadar introducing herself and setting the stage for a discussion on dark tourism.
Sana hints at an archival episode and introduces the shocking story of a battlefield tour company in Ukraine.
The conversation turns to the definition of dark tourism, its history, and examples from past and present.
The hosts discuss how social media and selfie culture can lead to disrespectful behavior at sites like Auschwitz and Chernobyl.
Researchers explain the varied motivations—curiosity, education, remembrance, and the allure of the macabre—that drive visitors to dark sites.
Craig White’s study on Instagram comments reveals that context, pose, and gender influence how selfie‑taking is perceived at Holocaust sites.
Nicole Basaraba introduces digital tools—apps and YouTube channels—that enable virtual experiences of dark heritage sites.
The discussion turns to how online content creators sometimes disrespect sites, raising questions about tastefulness and cultural sensitivity.
Mariko Smith argues for rebranding dark tourism as truth‑telling histories to empower First Nations voices and avoid exploitative narratives.
The episode concludes with a debate on the moral value of dark tourism, highlighting its potential to educate and prevent future atrocities while acknowledging ethical pitfalls.
Historical Precedent of Disaster Tourismstory
Tourists have flocked to witness warfare for centuries, with spectators watching the Battle of Waterloo from horse-drawn carriages in 1815.
Mundane Motivations at War Museumsinsight
Research at the Imperial War Museum North revealed that visitors often came simply because of the unique architecture or the smell of food in the canteen.
Social Currency and Aesthetic Societyinsight
Younger generations treat social media posts as social currency, curating dark tourism sites into their profiles just as they would any other social outing.
Virtual Paranormal Investigationsdata
Popular YouTube channels investigating haunted historical sites function as a form of virtual dark tourism for millions of home viewers.
The Living Memory Distinctioninsight
Some scholars argue an attraction is only dark tourism if the event occurred within living memory, distinguishing it from ancient sites like Pompeii.
Rebranding Dark Tourism in Australiadebate
Mariko Smith argues that the term dark tourism carries negative, exploitative connotations that can perpetuate trauma regarding First Nations histories.
“We have social media. We have selfies. So today, why we engage in dark tourism?”
“I think people vote with their feet. And unless you're going along there to kind of, you know, be disrespectful, then I think that Auschwitz Museum would welcome all visitors.”
“If it's tasteful, if it serves a good purpose, and perhaps if some of the income that comes from dark tourism is being used in responsible ways, then there's, there's nothing wrong with this at all. And in fact, it's quite a virtues thing.”
Since the days of gladiator battles and public hangings, dark tourism — our attraction to places linked to death and despair — has been a part of human behaviour. But there's something in the 21st century that's causing debate… Selfies. Digital media isn't all bad though. It's also creating opportunities for authentic storytelling. Today, we examine what dark tourism is, if it's ethical, and when it is (and isn't) appropriate to snap a selfie. This episode first aired in June 2024. Guests: Dr Craig Wight, Associate Professor, Business School, Edinburgh Napier UniversityDr Nicole Basaraba, Assistant Professor, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies and Centre for Digital Humanities, Trinity College DublinDr Mariko Smith, Head of First Nations Collections & Research, First Nations Division, Australian MuseumCredits: Presenter/Producer: Sana QadarProducer: Rose KerrSenior Producer: James BullenSound engineer: Beth StewartOther information: The Australian Museum's Unsettled exhibition https://australian.museum/learn/first-nations/unsettled/To read the transcript from this episode, head to its original webpage https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/allinthemind/dark-tourism-selfies-moral-outrage/103924164. To explore more great episodes from the award-winning psychology podcast All in the Mind with host Sana Qadar, download the ABC Listen app (Australia) or search 'ABC All in the Mind podcast' wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find more episodes on mental health, trauma, attachment theory, wellness hacks, and family relationships. You'll also hear interviews with experts like Esther Perel, Billy Garvey and Ethan Kross. All in the Mind is created for ABC's Radio National by specialist journalists and reporters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
4,880 words · 8 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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