Schadenfreude
The other day while I was standing in line at the supermarket, I got a glimpse of The National Enquirer, a publication that thrives on exposing celebrities in their worst moments. It is no wonder celebrities hate the publication.
It shows them in their worst light - without their hair being done - without makeup, designer clothes, or the glamor of Hollywood. Who wants to be photographed or videotaped on one of their worst days?
The paparazzi often hide out or use super telephoto lenses to capture a celebrity in this state, they thrive on it. The reason they do it is because sadly, there is a market for it.
Publishers thrive on exposing the foibles and holding them under a microscope to ridicule them. This is the same reason reality shows exist. There isn’t one reality show that I know which doesn’t show someone in a tirade or behaving is a less than ideal way - and these shows seem to be multiplying.
Why is there is a market for schadenfreude [shahd-n-froi-duh]; satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune.
How many people feel a satisfaction when they see others are down? How many are ready to extend the steel toe boot of a kick when someone else has fallen on hard times? How many would step on the fingers of someone hanging on the edge just to see them fall off?
We remember the people who are mean to us more lucidly than the people who are nice to us because we never forget the pain and torture that our perpetrators put us through.
So how can we outrun this wave of negativity and spite? Sure we don’t have to read the gossip rags or watch reality TV, but that is not enough.
What is missing from our lives that we even give spite credence? Are we so far down the hole of disconnectedness that we thrive on tearing someone else down?
In the grasp of tearing someone else apart, are we destroying our own sensibilities? Can we ever get to a point where we treat each other with respect no matter what creed, color or religion? Isn’t it time to put schadenfreude out of it’s misery?
What do you think? Is schadenfreude here to stay?
15 comments:
It ells..I have no idea why but it sells..so there must be millions of people who eat this stuff up..I am at a loss as to why
Hi fair Alexys!
Guess what..Jealousy is a very sad thing to happen to mankind Because of Jealousy, we humans strive to destroy other fellow beings who we deemed are better than us. Why?
I had fallen victim to the Jealousy monster many a times, and I have recently lost a friend because of that. It's human?
Personally I think that the general attitude of enjoyment at another's expense is disgusting.
I think that this trend is foster on TV shows. "World's Funniest Home Videos" encourages people to laugh at other people getting hurt. In addition, many sitcoms, and other shows make it seem funny when someone is disadvantaged, or does something bad to themselves.
It is a sad situation, but so many people refuse to step back and look at the big picture, to see what they look like when they are laughing at someone else.
Laugh with, but don't laugh at.
NathanKP - Imagination Manifesto
Sher,
I realize that jealousy is human, but we don't have to succumb to it's destruction. It is a human defect.
As humans we owe it to ourselves to evolve beyond the tangled webs of jealousy, betrayal and the like.
We must require more of ourselves. We must strive to be better than that. We have it in us to be greater than our worse faults.
Nathan,
I agree. It has gotten to the point where I cannot watch it, read about it or hear about it. It contaminates the mind.
The sad thing is that this type of "entertainment" is becoming more popular.
Ridicule is something that many people never overcome. Thanks for sharing.
I think that television and rag media audiences have become so numbed by what has been fed to them, that those who enjoy this kind of entertainment have lost the sensitivity to what is degrading and hurtful. When people start waking up to what is good and real in themselves, they will no longer appreciate it and only then will it end. Again, it's up to us, we the people.
Miruh,
Thank you for that eloquently executed comment. We do need to wake up and STAY awake. :D
unfortunately it's a part of human nature that is taken waaaay too far today because of the speed and technology that modern times afford us. By reading about other people's hard times people are able to feel better about themselves...sure there are many other ways to cheer oneself up but not everyone is such an open thinker. I think the paparazzi is here to stay until they pass new privacy laws regarding the legality of publishing candids...atm you own any pic you take while on public property, as the photographer, something that hasn't quite caught up with the fact that you could be on public property these days and still be able to use high tech equipment to peer into people's private homes or holidays...
hey, thanks for making my brain tick :)
One way to react to what evokes discomfort is not to feed it your energy. In other words, choose not pick up and read this kind of publication. Choose not to watch tv programs that encourage criticism and judgment. Choose not to be drawn in to support industries that manipulate and exploit for personal gain. It is a process of self-revelation and self-acceptance that will bring you to where you decide these kinds of things do not matter.
What you choose to belive in, matters. If you do not speak about things, you decide they are not worth your energy. It is like learning to rise above criticism around and about you. You have selective hearing and senses. It makes sense to ask why you may be drawn to media that criticize other people. This may in fact reflect how you silently criticize and reject yourself. Stop doing the latter and you will stop thinking about the former.
Hi Caf,
It is an unfortunate part of human nature to gain joy from others suffering. I think at our core we don't really feel good about it, but we are so used to it that it has become part and parcel.
As far as the paparazzi goes, I have seen them taunt celebrities to get a good shot of confrontation. You are right that they need to pass stricter laws regarding it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughtful comments.
Liara,
I agree and though I don't let the garbage into my consciousness, I notice how many people pick them up at the checkout and eat it up.
I often wonder if a magazine on higher consciousness were available at the checkout if anyone would pick it up?
Thanks for sharing your insight.
Alexys, the topic you mention may well be a rather untapped market. Could it be calling you?After all, you see horoscopes, receipes, pocket books and crosswords picked up at the check-out because many people are searching for something. They may know it isn't the magazines you mention in your article, but choose something to help satisfy a nagging hunger inside. These same people may not yet be aware enough to know what they need. Expand the options and you may be pleasantly surprised at impulsive their choices.
Liara,
I would love to conquer that market. Imagine if we could turn the tide on it's head. People would automatically treat each other with kindness, respect and not settle for the dregs of salaciousness. You could be on to something. ;D
Excellent post, as usual Alexys!
I think people who kick one when one is down, are the of very people who have no sense of joy/love/purpose in life so feel empowered when trying to reduce someone to being lower than them.
Then they wonder why they themselves are so joyless/unloved and bitter that only someone else's misery can please them.
Uber,
You are absolutely right. I am so glad that we don't know anyone like that, aren't you?
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