In the age of viral conspiracy theories and internet-driven narratives, the line between villains and victims is increasingly being blurred. The latest episode of "Hidden Killers" podcast, hosted by Tony Brueski, featuring a candid conversation with forensic psychologist, Kate Wallinga, delved deep into this perplexing issue.
 
 In the podcast, Brueski broached the controversial topic of individuals who target and harass victims of crimes, or their families, insinuating that they played a role in the crime itself. The discussion revolved around Bryan Kohberger, and the victim, Dylan Mortensen, one of the surviving roommates from an unidentified case. The release of a new book about this case has intensified public interest and speculation.
 
 Wallinga offered insight into the mindset of those who thrive on propagating conspiracy theories or who rush to cast blame on victims. "We like to feel smart... I saw it first, therefore I'm the smartest," she explained, drawing a parallel to the popular quiz show 'Jeopardy' where only the first person to answer correctly is recognized, even if others knew the answer too.
 
 She cited the 2004 Halloween Napa Valley murders of three women as an example, underscoring the pitfalls of baseless speculation. In this case, the perpetrator turned out to be the husband of a close friend of the victims. At the time, conspiracy theories were not as prevalent due to the relative infancy of internet culture. Yet, Wallinga noted that, had the crime occurred in today's hyper-connected age, a flood of online theories and speculations would have emerged, some potentially targeting innocent parties.
 
 Drawing another parallel, Wallinga mentioned the horrific Sandy Hook massacre. She pointed out the alarming trend of individuals harassing the grieving parents, spurred on by conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones. "They seem to forget that some of the people they're pointing their finger at, that 99.9 percent of the population views as a victim... are actual human beings who've already been through hell," Wallinga lamented.
 
 Wallinga suggests this behavior can be rooted in our need to "feel smart" and our inherent desire to be the first to know or decipher a situation. This drive, when combined with the digital disconnection the internet sometimes fosters, can lead individuals to forget the humanity of those they target.
 
 The conversation took an even more personal turn when Wallinga shared her own experiences. As a forensic psychologist who has interacted with several high-profile criminals, she's familiar with the dark allure of crime and the public's insatiable curiosity. She admitted to deliberately keeping her podcasting identity separate from her professional name to avoid potential backlash or harassment.
 
 Despite this precaution, Wallinga's core belief remains that everyone — criminal or victim — deserves to be seen as a human first. "I wanted to remember the humanity of these inmates... You're a human being too. And we all know you for the worst thing you ever did," she stated.
 
 Towards the end of their discussion, Brueski and Wallinga touched upon the modern obsession with "murder tourism" and the depersonalization of victims, pointing out the disturbing trend of individuals seeking fame or notoriety from tragedies.
 
 Concluding their conversation on a poignant note, Wallinga reiterated the importance of recognizing the humanity in every individual, regardless of the worst actions they might have committed or the tragedies they've endured.
 
 In our age of instant information and rapid judgments, the conversation raises an essential question: Are we, as a society, becoming so obsessed with being "right" that we're losing our ability to empathize with those who've experienced the worst life has to offer?
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