And the enthralling words.

Tunes in my head: Still Ill by The Smiths
Books of a page: And The Ass Saw The Angel by Nick Cave
Atmosphere: Sick

What enthralls us?

I mean, people say this book is good or this song is good or this TV series draws us in.

But why is that? Is it because of the level of emotional attachment we have to it? We can feel empathy or attraction or sympathy for something that's been talked about, that's been written about. And so we continue to seek out more, to become borderline obsessed with said thing.

Or is it because we enjoy seeing people get damaged and eventually die? The critically lauded TV shows often have some sort of nihilistic ending to them. Think about Twin Peaks. The entire story revolved around the morbid fascination of the viewers and of Lynch with the "protagonist"'s death. Once that story arc was resolved the show meant nothing.

Perhaps it could be the sense of redemption they get. Why do we have tears in our eyes when a convicted criminal dies in a bloody fight? Because they have achieved their redemption in the view of the audience.

Or could it be the way in which the story is cleverly constructed? The use of clever puns and interesting plot devices, of unconventional camera angles.

If all of these are the case, then what makes the human life so captivating?