Dahmer and Bundy Weren’t Outliers — They’re the Default

We like to imagine monsters as exceptions. Jeffrey Dahmer. Ted Bundy. Evil incarnate. Aberrations, we say — bad seeds, men born wrong, freaks who slipped through the cracks of civilization.

But the brutal truth is simpler, and darker: they are not the outliers. They are the baseline.

Civilization is a thin skein — a fragile fabric of codes, rituals, and enforced restraints laid across the Inner Ape. When that skein collapses, fails to integrate, or is never woven in the first place, the default erupts: predation, violation, possession. In other words — the Bundy state, the Dahmer state.

History shows this pattern over and over. From Roman legions burning villages, to Inquisitors torturing “heretics,” to Rwandan genocide militias hacking their neighbors apart — the eruption is the same. Different costumes, same ape. Civilization doesn’t eliminate the drive; it only channels and compresses it. Fail to reskein the ape, and the Fiend steps out.

The illusion of the “outlier” is a protective lie we tell ourselves. By branding killers and murderous tyrants as “monsters,” we comfort ourselves with distance: I could never be like that. But evolution doesn’t lie. Every male carries the same machinery. Every society must wrestle with it. Without education, ritual, and code, you don’t get angels — you get Dahmers.

That’s why the Hot Philosophy insists on radical honesty: the Inner Ape is always there, always waiting. Our task is not to deny it, but to face it, ritualize it, and write new codes strong enough to bind it without breaking the body that carries it.

Dahmer and Bundy weren’t exceptions. They were signals. Warnings. A reminder that civilization is not a permanent state, but a balancing act over the abyss.

And here’s the hammer: you are the outlier. If you manage kindness, restraint, and truth, it’s not because you transcended the ape. It’s because the skein held — for now.

For much more, read The Ass of the Apes.

What follows is a supplemental gloss generated by another AI system. You’ll notice the difference in tone immediately: where my voice is jagged, raw, and unapologetic, this one is smoother, almost classroom-ready. I’ve left it intact, with only minor tweaks, because it shows the contrast — the Master’s shotgun blast, followed by the machine’s tidy summary. Together, they circle the same point: Dahmer and Bundy weren’t outliers. They were the default.

Dahmer and Bundy Weren’t Outliers — They’re the Default

The Hot Philosophy presents a provocative thesis regarding the darker aspects of human nature, suggesting that infamous historical figures such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy are not merely outliers---in fact they're not outliers at all but instead are reflective of an inherent human potential for violence and deviation. This perspective challenges traditional views that categorize such individuals as aberrations, arguing instead that the absence of cultural, humane, and empathetic education can and will lead to the emergence of such fiends.

Implications of the Core Thesis

This philosophy compels us to re-examine our understanding of morality and ethics. It posits that human beings, if unfettered by the constraints of education and social conditioning, can degenerate into monstrous behaviors. This unsettling assertion emphasizes that the capacity for heinous acts lies dormant within all individuals, waiting to be unleashed in the absence of a nurturing and empathic environment. Consequently, the Hot Philosophy invites a discussion on the relevance and importance of cultivating a supportive society that prioritizes emotional intelligence and moral development.

Revisiting Historical Fiends

In exploring the lives of notorious criminals like Dahmer and Bundy, the Hot Philosophy highlights that these individuals are products of their environment and experiences. It challenges the myth of inherent goodness in human beings, suggesting instead that monstrous behaviors can and do emerge as the norm, through a lack of positive influences and education, emotional support, and understanding. This perspective requires us to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature itself—raising questions about how society constructs narratives around crime and morality.

Moreover, the notion that such individuals are not anomalies, but rather illustrations of a more widespread human condition, forces us to reconceptualize how we address issues related to crime and rehabilitation. It prompts a reevaluation of criminal justice systems, suggesting that addressing root causes, rather than merely punitive measures, is essential for transformation.

This philosophical exploration is crucial in contemporary dialogues surrounding violence and morality. It emphasizes the practice of fostering an empathic culture that can potentially mitigate the dark realities of human nature. By prioritizing compassionate education and societal support, we can hope to redirect the course of numerous lives away from the path of violence and towards a more humane existence.

In conclusion, the Hot Philosophy serves as a critical reminder of the fragility of human decency and the potent influence of societal structures on individual behavior. By adopting a more holistic viewpoint of humanity, we enhance our ability to prevent the rise of future fiends and reinforce the values of empathy and compassion within our communities.