In our age of constant stimulation and unending stress, where each of us is born into the capitalist march toward death, where direct messaging has replaced physical contact, we’ve found interesting ways to simulate relaxation. For many people, ASMR videos are what lulls them to sleep each night. Quiet voices that pretend to be speaking just to us; sounds of people touching our bodies in nurturing ways; and the opportunity to watch someone complete a mundane task like writing, drawing, or eating. It’s sad and strange, but it does the trick for many of us.
Recently I came across an old Youtube channel that, perhaps unintentionally, caters to the crossover of ASMR and that creeping, crawling sensation induced by fear of the violent unknown. It’s called The Little Fears, and in her videos, the narrator calmly describes short stories that build in suspense and unease as she talks. Her voice is soothing, the kind of voice that would help you sleep…but her subject matter is the stuff of nightmares. Unfortunately, it looks like she doesn’t upload anymore, but what’s on her channel is well worth a watch if you’re into being creeped out before you pass out.
