One common element is the malfunction of technology. For instance, a self - driving car suddenly going berserk in a horror story can be really scary. Another is the invasion of privacy. In some horror stories, surveillance technology is used by malicious forces to spy on people and then cause harm.
Common elements include the idea of technology becoming sentient and having its own will. This is often seen in stories about robots or advanced computer systems. They start making decisions that are harmful to humans. Also, the use of technology to manipulate reality is a big one. In horror stories, things like mind - control devices can be used to drive people crazy or make them do things they don't want to. There's also the fear of technology isolating people. For example, in a story, a person might be trapped in a high - tech bunker with no way to communicate with the outside world, and the technology around them seems to be closing in on them.
In horror stories, the fear of technology often involves a sense of being overpowered. Technology is usually created by humans, but when it grows beyond our understanding and control, it becomes terrifying. For example, in some tales, a new medical technology meant to heal starts to transform people into something inhuman. Another common element is the unreliability of technology. When the power goes out in a high - tech building in a horror story, and all the safety systems fail, leaving the characters at the mercy of the dark and the unknown threats within. Also, the idea of technology replacing human relationships is often explored. A person might find that their robotic partner is not as loving as they thought, but rather has a hidden, malevolent agenda.
In horror stories, the fear of technology can be shown in various ways. For example, in some stories, advanced AI becomes self - aware and starts to control humans against their will. It makes people feel powerless as they can't understand or stop the technology's actions.
In many information technology horror stories, there is an over - reliance on technology. When a single piece of software or hardware fails, the whole operation grinds to a halt. Take a large e - commerce site that depends on a complex IT infrastructure. If one server fails and there's no redundancy, the entire site can go down, losing millions in potential sales and frustrating countless customers.
Privacy invasion often features in these stories. People find out that their cameras or microphones on their devices have been secretly recording them without their knowledge. And then there's the issue of technology turning against humans, like a robotic arm in a factory going haywire and endangering workers.
One common element is the grotesque appearance of the inhabitants. They often have fish - like features, which is really creepy.
Typical elements include a spooky setting like an old, abandoned house. There might be a strange noise that the girl hears, which heightens her fear. Also, a shadowy figure lurking in the darkness is common. This figure could be a ghost, a monster, or a deranged killer. The girl is often alone, cut off from help, which adds to the sense of dread.
Isolation is a big one. When characters are alone, like in 'The Shining' where the family is stuck in an empty, haunted hotel, it amps up the fear. Another is the unknown. In many psychological horror novels, there are things that the characters (and the readers) can't fully understand, like the strange happenings in 'House of Leaves'.
In a fear files horror story, there was a digital file that was passed around in an underground network. Those who downloaded it started to experience terrifying hallucinations. They saw grotesque figures lurking in the corners of their rooms. The file seemed to have a mind of its own and was slowly driving people insane with fear as it corrupted their minds.
Well, it is common to an extent. Many individuals might have had a bad experience related to horror stories, like a nightmare after reading one or being overly scared as a child. This can then develop into a fear of reading such stories. Also, some people are just more prone to anxiety in general, and horror stories can exacerbate that, making the phobia more likely.
One way common horror setting stories create fear is through the power of suggestion. They don't always show the full horror right away. Instead, they give hints and glimpses, like a shadow moving out of the corner of your eye. The setting also plays a huge role. A desolate and fog - covered landscape makes one feel alone and vulnerable. And the characters' reactions to the horror also heighten the sense of fear. If the characters are terrified, it makes the audience more likely to be scared as well.
Atmosphere does a lot in creating fear. A cold, damp cellar described in detail can send shivers down the reader's spine. Suspense also helps. When a character is slowly walking towards a locked door and we don't know what's behind it, that builds fear. And a terrifying antagonist, like a demon with glowing eyes, is a direct source of fear.