The "Motif of Harmful Sensation"

Aside from being the coolest sounding themes in fiction, the motif of harmful sensation is the idea of a sensation that would ordinarily be benign inexplicably inflicting physical or psychological (or both) damage on people.

The urban legend of the song "Gloomy Sunday" moving people to commit suicide is an example. In real life there are epileptic seizures resulting from seeing flashing lights, and also Stendahl Syndrome.

And then in fiction there are examples galore. The concept has always fascinated me. Any favorite books / stories / movies that make use of the motif? Any stories you've written yourself? C'mon, make with the sharing & discussing & whatnot...

David McAfee said:

Hmmm....would CELL, by Stephen King fit that description?

Click to expand...

Cell is a good example. An ordinarily harmless phone call driving people insane. There was also a recent indie film release called The Signal with a similar theme.