What Dexter Tells Us About Our Lust for Violence

My wife and I have been plowing through seasons of Dexter lately. In case you are unfamiliar with the show here is a summation: the protagonist is a serial killer with an insatiable need for blood. But he only kills bad guys and works as a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police where he can discreetly research his next victim.

It's an enjoyable show. There's no memorable lines like "I am the one who knocks," or intriguingly complex characters like pretty much everyone in The Wire. What the show does lack in creativity it makes up for by satisfying a deep human need for violence. How else can the viewer explain rooting for a mass murderer to find his next victim and not get caught?

This need for violence (even if it can be satisfied vicariously) calls up my fascination with cognitive dissonance. In this case, the dissonance comes from:

1. wanting to see violence
2. knowing that violence is wrong.

How does the brain resolve this dissonance? With the concept of justice. We love punishing bad people and that's exactly what Dexter does for us–gives us an outlet for that need. He teaches us that it's okay to watch a person drugged, stabbed to death, dismembered with a bone saw, and vanquished to the bottom of the Atlantic. They were bad. The world is now better off.

Vigilantism is a fun fantasy to indulge in, especially for conservatives. It fits several of the narratives behind conservative thinking:

• Government is inept (in this case, at putting bad people away)
• It justifies the need to own a firearm. Even an assault weapon. Even if one lives in a good neighborhood.
• Capital punishment is effective. 

The unfortunate reality is that Dexter Morgan, Batman, and Dirty Harry are not real. You know who is real? George Zimmerman. You know what form of government is inept? Florida's Stand Your Ground law.

I have no problem with people owning guns to protect themselves or for recreational use. I have a problem with vigilantism, with people looking for trouble. It's a state of mind that does more harm than good, and it stems from our need for violence.

I don't know if shows like Dexter are part of the problem or part of the solution. If they feed into the vigilante narrative or satisfy it so more George Zimmermans don't have to go roaming their neighborhoods with a gun, looking for someone to use it on. I am a big proponent of self awareness and I just hope that more people become mindful of the emotions that drive their actions.