The Uncanny

The Uncanny refers to a feeling of unease or discomfort that arises when something is both familiar and strange at the same time. It often occurs in art, literature, and psychology. For example, a realistic human-like robot or a doll that looks lifelike can evoke this feeling. The term was popularized by Sigmund Freud, who suggested that the uncanny reveals deep-seated fears and anxieties about identity, reality, and the unknown. Essentially, it confronts us with something that blurs the line between what is normal and what is unsettling, triggering our instinctual reactions.