We love fireworks because they scare us
Our brains enjoy fear, but only in small, controlled doses.
By Anna Brooks July 4, 2018
Exploding light sparks fright in our brains—but we love it.
On the Fourth of July, skies will be ablaze with exploding art. Our souls will swell with splendor as we watch thousands of fireworks burst in the night, shooting up like hot comets then fanning out into brilliant umbrellas of twinkling light.
There’s no question that we humans love fireworks. Some of us have risked serious burns to the face and hands attempting to set them off and awe our friends. Last year, more than 250 million pounds of fireworks erupted, generating $1.2 billion in revenue, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.
https://www.popsci.com/fireworks-fear-neuroscience
