This reminded me of the ongoing climate crisis. Many individuals are attempting to help, but others are saying the only way to change the climate is in the hands of large companies so why bother with metal straws. I would agree with the latter argument to an extent, but it disregards any individual choice in the matter. Yes big companies are responsible for the ongoing death of earth but saying individuals shouldn't bother is a bit nihilistic.

The atom bomb is specifically very interesting because its sheer scale of destruction and its strange beauty. I was fascinated by them as a kid but now I understand the horror of them more clearly.

There is a genre and fanbase for certain media because it contains violence and gore. Some people consider media more mature or interesting because they are willing to show gruesome images (ex: Amazon Prime's The Boys)

fight flight or freeze response but in a less direct setting

this reminds me of Junji ito's uzumaki and the chapter in which a man disfigures his body in pursuit of a perfect shape

This entire section reminds me of one of the main symbols of christianity and how gruesome Jesus on the cross can be depicted. It's a horrific act but is often displayed in beautiful stained glass or sculptures

Incorrigible: not able to be corrected or reformed

dichotomy in human nature?

I've seen a similar point in the video "Cringe" by contrapoints. Specifically cringe is a more modern version of this desire to witness pain for the entertainment of ourselves

tripartite: consisting of three parts

Perennial: lasting or existing for a long time

I initially saw this as morbid curiosity but continued reading and I agree with the statement that these desires are not rare

Desensitization in modern times?

reminds me of horror movies that mainly consist of horrific violence against women

Could this come from naïveté? Some wish to see the gruesome but cannot cope with the actual reality of graphic images.