❛ THE JOKER. ❜ ( hypothetical profiles : accepting ) // answered for anon, ft. @clowm
“ I’VE HEARD A PARTICULAR WORD bein’ tossed around quite a bit in regards to this individual, and that word is ‘ insane. ’ On news programs, in written articles, on talk-shows and speculative broadcasts, I hear him being referred to as deranged or crazy. But the senselessness and severity of his crimes, and his own shamelessness and appetite for violence, should not be confused with ‘ insanity. ’ Insanity is, for one thing, more of a legal definition than a psychological one, technically speakin’. It refers to whether or not an individual can be considered culpable for their crimes.
“ This bastard is more than culpable. He’s aware of what he is doing, and he’s doing it willfully, consciously, of his own fruition. He is not compelled to commit these crimes. He is not unable to differentiate right from wrong, or unaware of the consequences of his actions. This is an individual making a choice. He may be unbalanced. He may be a loose cannon. He may be depraved or disturbed or twisted. But he’s not insane. He knows very well what he’s doin’.
“ In developin’ a criminal profile, we often split them into three categories: organized, disorganized, or mixed. Organized killers plan carefully, competently, and tend to be more patient than their counterpart. Disorganized killers act on impulse, and are usually more rash and more clumsy. The Joker, I’d classify as mixed, leaning towards organized. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly ‘ random ’ nature of his offenses, or his dismayingly colorful and ‘ unpredictable ’ persona – the sheer scope of his operations imply a degree of intense criminal sophistication. This is someone familiar with the world of crime, and how to operate functionally within it, both independently and as part of a group. That requires a certain degree of diligence, as well as a certain amount of time. One doesn’t just roll out of bed one day knowin’ how to plant explosives and terrorize entire cities. This is an individual who’s had ample time to ‘ hone his craft, ’ and has somehow avoided detection. Once he’s identified and apprehended, I’d say it’s almost a guarantee that he’ll be linked to numerous unsolved cases.
“ That bein’ said, there’s undeniably an element of ‘ disorganization ’ to this subject as well. Though we’ve seen him execute numerous crimes that’d be impossible without a fairly intense level of organization ( you don’t set up a bank robbery as elaborate as we saw at the beginnin’ of the year, for example, involvin’ as many people, and targetin’ such a high-profile group without doin’ a little research ), in other circumstances, he’s demonstrated a certain impulsiveness and lack of foresight. He doesn’t seem particularly picky about his victims, for example; simply bein’ in the wrong place at the wrong time – that is, within a convenient proximity to him – is often enough. And likewise, his expression of physical violence is often consistent with that of a typically ‘ disorganized ’ offender: sudden, explosive, violent ‘ frenzies. ’ I myself have been on the receivin’ end of such frenzies. I can attest to their bein’ highly unpleasant.
“ So – what’s the motive here? What’s he after? One of the things that’s most frustratin’ about this subject is that no one seems to be able to ID him. Therefore, we have no access to records of his past, or past offenses, which often hold the key to motivation. Furthermore, he’s developin’ a reputation for doin’ things just for the hell of it; just for kicks. This, to some extent may be true. Obviously, this is an individual who gains satisfaction and titillation from heinous acts. But what about this is emotionally gratifying to him? I would posit the followin’:
“ One thing that stands out about all of the Joker’s recent crimes is the element of publicity. He’s filmed and broadcasted the execution of a would-be vigilante. He’s staged public assassinations, communicated with the police, and played games with the public. He’s also chosen to identify himself with one of the most common phobias in the world – clowns. There are most likely other factors at play in this particular decision, both personal and symbolic, but all this makes one thing very clear: he has graduated from crimes against single entities to crimes against the public at large. He is proving to us that he is capable of controlling not only individuals, but entire cities through sheer terror. He’s exertin’ his influence over as many people as he can, and he’s doin’ it in the name of what is inherently uncontrollable: chaos.
“ … Now what’s more powerful than bein’ the arbiter of what cannot be controlled? What’s more empowering than to hold sway over anarchy; than to be the one person in charge of what, by definition, cannot be governed? Chaos in the palm of one’s hand – now that’s a rush.
“ This is not a game. This is a highly dangerous individual. Left to his own devices, I’d only expect him to grow more and more refined; to become better and better what he does, and how to get away with it. ”
jbbartram-illu
pixelskylines
jacobvanloon
turnnoffyourmind
blakekathryn
