Why Do We Love Villians?

from Algorithms with Attitude Hosted by Jacob Piszar

Episode 8 – Why Do We Love Villains? Why do villains often steal the show from the heroes they’re meant to oppose? In this episode of Algorithms with Attitude, we dive into the psychology, storytelling, and pop culture behind our obsession with the “bad guys.” From Darth Vader and Joker to Shakespeare’s Iago and Disney classics, we explore why villains are written to be more memorable, why audiences often find them relatable, and what this fascination says about us as humans. Along the way, we unpack the psychology of the “shadow self,” the role villains play in narrative design, and how fandom culture turns them into icons. And because we can’t resist a bit of fun, we close with a lightning round—our favorite evil laughs, worst roommate villains, and who we’d least want to run into in real life. 🎧 Whether you’re Team Hero or Team Villain, this episode will give you plenty to think about. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more weekly dives into the weird, wonderful, and thought-provoking world of human behavior, culture, and technology.