Author Topic: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?  (Read 91640 times)

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Alfred R Jones

  • Guest
Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« on: February 22, 2015, 11:39:11 AM »
The subject of obsession was brought up on another thread and I thought it would be interesting to discuss why people are so obsessed by this case.  What, for example, drives people to sign up to a Facebook group called Madeleine: Unite For Justice which has as its banner a picture of a Knight on bended knee leaning on a large sword, next to this "A Solemn Oath"

"I swear to discover the truth about the unexplained disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  I will see through the lies & deceit, the cover up and watch as the Guilty are made to face the Laws of the Land.  My allegiance is to Madeleine.  My age is timeless and tireless and is solely given to this Duty"

(Misplaced capital letters copied verbatim from the header)

Now, what drives this level of obsession?   What makes them declare that their whole being is given in service to a missing child they never even knew?  Is this normal, healthy behaviour?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/459770540741264/?ref=ts&fref=ts


111
« Last Edit: February 23, 2015, 06:12:43 PM by John »

Offline Mr Moderator

Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2015, 12:35:17 PM »
The subject of obsession was brought up on another thread and I thought it would be interesting to discuss why people are so obsessed by this case.  What, for example, drives people to sign up to a Facebook group called Madeleine: Unite For Justice which has as its banner a picture of a Knight on bended knee leaning on a large sword, next to this "A Solemn Oath"

"I swear to discover the truth about the unexplained disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  I will see through the lies & deceit, the cover up and watch as the Guilty are made to face the Laws of the Land.  My allegiance is to Madeleine.  My age is timeless and tireless and is solely given to this Duty"

(Misplaced capital letters copied verbatim from the header)

Now, what drives this level of obsession?   What makes them declare that their whole being is given in service to a missing child they never even knew?  Is this normal, healthy behaviour?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/459770540741264/?ref=ts&fref=ts


Some would call it obsessive while others would prefer to refer to it as a search for the truth.  What strikes me about the Madeleine case is the absence of evidence which one would expect to encounter in an abduction case, the involvement of the English police and the UK Government and the alternate thesis put forward by the former Portuguese head of the investigation.

All of these things have brought mystery and suspicion to the case.


Lyall

  • Guest
Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2015, 12:44:39 PM »
Top of the list of reasons: the uniqueness of the case Alfred.

But pretty near the top is the same reason why the case was such a phenomenon in May 2007: why did so many people become so emotionally involved then?


Offline John

Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2015, 12:48:10 PM »
The subject of obsession was brought up on another thread and I thought it would be interesting to discuss why people are so obsessed by this case.  What, for example, drives people to sign up to a Facebook group called Madeleine: Unite For Justice which has as its banner a picture of a Knight on bended knee leaning on a large sword, next to this "A Solemn Oath"

"I swear to discover the truth about the unexplained disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  I will see through the lies & deceit, the cover up and watch as the Guilty are made to face the Laws of the Land.  My allegiance is to Madeleine.  My age is timeless and tireless and is solely given to this Duty"

(Misplaced capital letters copied verbatim from the header)

Now, what drives this level of obsession?   What makes them declare that their whole being is given in service to a missing child they never even knew?  Is this normal, healthy behaviour?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/459770540741264/?ref=ts&fref=ts

I think if you are looking for a one word reply, that word would be suspicion.  Suspicion that all was not as it seemed, suspicion of a simulated abduction, suspicion of a cover up and suspicion that the UK authorities were in some way involved in what followed and still, almost eight years on, continues to follow.

The Ben Needham case should in theory attract the same obsession so in determining an answer to your op, one must consider the differences in the two cases.
« Last Edit: February 22, 2015, 12:54:40 PM by John »
A malicious prosecution for a crime which never existed. An exposé of egregious malfeasance by public officials.
Indeed, the truth never changes with the passage of time.

Offline Wonderfulspam

Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2015, 01:01:45 PM »
I think if you are looking for a one word reply, that word would be suspicion.  Suspicion that all was not as it seemed, suspicion of a simulated abduction, suspicion of a cover up and suspicion that the UK authorities were in some way involved in what followed and still, almost eight years on, continues to follow.

The Ben Needham case should in theory attract the same obsession so in determining an answer to your op, one must consider the differences in the two cases.

The point I was going to make.

Why not the same for Kerry Needham?

Why don't people have the same suspicions with her?

Well, nobody saw Kerry carrying Ben away & she didn't smell like death, I don't think she changed her witness statements & she seems honest.

There's that.
Christian Brueckner Fan Club

Offline Eleanor

Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2015, 01:09:41 PM »

I became involved in June 2007 because I was shocked and appalled at the vitriol being hurled at The McCanns from Britain and Portugal.
It only got worse after that.

Offline Alice Purjorick

Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2015, 01:22:24 PM »
The subject of obsession was brought up on another thread and I thought it would be interesting to discuss why people are so obsessed by this case.  What, for example, drives people to sign up to a Facebook group called Madeleine: Unite For Justice which has as its banner a picture of a Knight on bended knee leaning on a large sword, next to this "A Solemn Oath"

"I swear to discover the truth about the unexplained disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  I will see through the lies & deceit, the cover up and watch as the Guilty are made to face the Laws of the Land.  My allegiance is to Madeleine.  My age is timeless and tireless and is solely given to this Duty"

(Misplaced capital letters copied verbatim from the header)

Now, what drives this level of obsession?   What makes them declare that their whole being is given in service to a missing child they never even knew?  Is this normal, healthy behaviour?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/459770540741264/?ref=ts&fref=ts

No! whichever side of the coin.
There are however two human traits which may in part offer an explanation; a desire to belong coupled with a desire to set ones self apart from the herd and be noticed. Of course if one is pragmatic one must also accept we do rather like to form gangs then chuck brickbats at each other so any reason for that may be good enough. Some "reasons" just sound more noble than others. I doubt it is much more than a vehicle and excuse for baser instincts.
That is just my opinion of course based on observation extending well beyond the case under consideration here.
"Navigating the difference between weird but normal grief and truly suspicious behaviour is the key for any detective worth his salt.". ….Sarah Bailey

Offline Anna

Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2015, 01:27:08 PM »

Some would call it obsessive while others would prefer to refer to it as a search for the truth.  What strikes me about the Madeleine case is the absence of evidence which one would expect to encounter in an abduction case, the involvement of the English police and the UK Government and the alternate thesis put forward by the former Portuguese head of the investigation.

All of these things have brought mystery and suspicion to the case.
Search for the truth would be a good reason, if that is what drives people on, but I fear that it has gone beyond that now and has become a battle.

In the Ben Needham case no evidence was found .
It was not in the media eye, on a daily basis for years.
I doubt the Social media sites now operating were even there…but not sure.
Nobody wrote a book accusing the parents of involvement.
His mother was liked and trusted by most.
(You can add to this as you wish)

There is much less interest in those who have been found innocent of a crime, where there is plenty of evidence to suggest their guilt. I will not name names for obvious reasons, but I am sure you will all know of a few.
Why is there no obsession of the degree shown to this case, in any other cases, considering there is no incriminating evidence against the parents?

I am still trying to work out in my own mind, what may have happened to Maddie and it would be nice to discuss the possibilities in a civilized manner. However those who have already made their minds up, as to what they believe happened to her, give me little chance of discussing it in an adult fashion.

Whatever way you look at it, the parents and friends are innocent until proven guilty of any wrong doing.
“You should not honour men more than truth.”
― Plato

Alfred R Jones

  • Guest
Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2015, 02:06:05 PM »
I think if you are looking for a one word reply, that word would be suspicion.  Suspicion that all was not as it seemed, suspicion of a simulated abduction, suspicion of a cover up and suspicion that the UK authorities were in some way involved in what followed and still, almost eight years on, continues to follow.

The Ben Needham case should in theory attract the same obsession so in determining an answer to your op, one must consider the differences in the two cases.
Suspicion might perhaps explain the intense interest, certainly in the beginning - though, I and many others never seriously suspected the  parents but were just as interested as everyone else in what happened to the little girl.  But does your one-word answer really explain the quasi-religious sentiments expressed in some quarters (and yes, I do mean on both sides of the debate).  I mean, would your interest in the case ever lead you to swear an oath of allegiance to a missing / dead child?  That's just strange, and symptomatic of something a bit more obsessional than mere interest isn't it?

Alfred R Jones

  • Guest
Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2015, 02:07:42 PM »
No! whichever side of the coin.
There are however two human traits which may in part offer an explanation; a desire to belong coupled with a desire to set ones self apart from the herd and be noticed. Of course if one is pragmatic one must also accept we do rather like to form gangs then chuck brickbats at each other so any reason for that may be good enough. Some "reasons" just sound more noble than others. I doubt it is much more than a vehicle and excuse for baser instincts.
That is just my opinion of course based on observation extending well beyond the case under consideration here.
A good summation in my view, thank you Alice. 8((()*/

stephen25000

  • Guest
Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2015, 02:09:56 PM »
Suspicion might perhaps explain the intense interest, certainly in the beginning - though, I and many others never seriously suspected the  parents but were just as interested as everyone else in what happened to the little girl.  But does your one-word answer really explain the quasi-religious sentiments expressed in some quarters (and yes, I do mean on both sides of the debate).  I mean, would your interest in the case ever lead you to swear an oath of allegiance to a missing / dead child?  That's just strange, and symptomatic of something a bit more obsessional than mere interest isn't it?

Who are these 'many others' exactly ?

As to the mccanns , they undeniably have a quasi-religious following, and clearly visible in some of their supporters deluded meanderings
« Last Edit: February 22, 2015, 02:15:07 PM by stephen25000 »

Alfred R Jones

  • Guest
Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2015, 02:16:52 PM »
Who are these 'many others' exactly ?

As to the mccanns , they undeniably have a quasi-religious following, and clearly visible in some of their supporters deluded meanderings
Do you want names Stephen?

As for your second point, I acknowledged that in my post above. 

stephen25000

  • Guest
Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2015, 02:19:39 PM »
Do you want names Stephen?

As for your second point, I acknowledged that in my post above.

No I don't.

You made a broad statement Alfred, which is essentially meaningless.

Second point acknowledged.

Alfred R Jones

  • Guest
Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2015, 02:25:18 PM »
No I don't.

You made a broad statement Alfred, which is essentially meaningless.

Second point acknowledged.
Not it's not meaningless Stephen.  There are many people interested in this case who don't think the parents are guilty.  Of these there are some who are doubtless obsessed by the case, to the point that there is some weird cult-like quasi-religious devotion thing going on, much as there is with the group of nearly 2000 FB "sceptics" I highlighted in the OP.   

Offline Brietta

Re: Madeleine McCann - why are people so obsessed?
« Reply #14 on: February 22, 2015, 02:29:45 PM »
A word immediately springing to mind is paranoia.

Associated with the belief that the McCann's were 'protected' by Government agencies.


If they were so 'protected' ... why was Madeleine allowed to be taken in the first place.

If they were so 'protected' ... why wasn't Madeleine returned tout suite, or her fate discovered?
"All I'm going to say is that we've conducted a very serious investigation and there's no indication that Madeleine McCann's parents are connected to her disappearance. On the other hand, we have a lot of evidence pointing out that Christian killed her," Wolter told the "Friday at 9"....