"Normally, the same strange impulse which brings a crowd to an accident is present in the reaction to a concert in which something goes wrong"

In this quote, Lara St. John is recommending that there is a weird and almost instinctual impulse that draws people to both accidents and concerts where something goes wrong. This impulse is what causes a crowd to gather and observe the situation, whether it be an auto accident or a technical breakdown at a performance. St. John is indicating that there is a morbid curiosity or fascination with experiencing something out of the ordinary or unanticipated. This could be due to a desire for enjoyment or a need to feel connected to others in a shared experience. Overall, St. John is highlighting the human propensity to be drawn to mayhem and disruption, even in seemingly different circumstances.