The Movie "Bug"

I just watched the psychological drama Bug - the 2006 William Friedkin directed movie - that takes the viewer into two worlds. One of possible conspiracy, the other of possible madness.

I have always been fascinated by the mind, and the psychological phenomenon of emotional contagion (how emotions and beliefs of one person can find their way into another).

One of the rarest forms of emotional contagion is known as a "Folie A Deux" - which means "shared madness of two".


Emotional contagion like this is not just limited between two people, though. It can be shared by three people, four people, etc. - entire families and in mass groups.

History is full of "Folie A Plusieurs" - mass madness.



The Salem Witch Trials


The Holocaust

El Chupacabra


Slavery

The Jim Jones Cult Mass Suicide

The McMartin Child Sexual Abuse School Allegations


And many more.


Helplessness, fragility and loss of one's self are a few of the reasons why some people are more susceptible to emotional contagion than others. And if you view* the movie "Bug", you can understand how and why such things happen.




* Trigger alert for the movie. It may be scary and disturbing for some viewers.