Have you ever wondered why certain things are just creepy, even though they don’t present any real danger? Like, for example, a clown who’s laughing maniacally while holding a china doll and standing in a dark room.

The clown doesn’t have a knife. He’s not going to hurt you. So why does he make you feel so uneasy?

Video blogger Vsauce explores why we find certain objects and motifs creepy, as well as other nifty concepts like the uncanny valley and the call of the void in this fascinating video. Check it out!

Warning: This video is creepy. (Obviously.)