Schadenfreude

[Danny White]

schadenfreude \SHAHD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.


I have been thinking quite a bit about the TO injury and the reaction here.

People have had very intense and varying reactions to this news, from extreme joy to extreme horror at the joy others are taking.

I, myself, initially wanted to feel "bad for TO" when I first saw the injury. Then, to my own surprise, I felt disappointment when I heard it was "just a minor injury."

Then, when I heard about the full extent of the injury, I found I had no remorse and perhaps a little satisfaction. I felt a little bad about it, but at the same time could not deny my feelings.

I remain convinced that if it were ANY other player, I would not feel this way.

Anyway, it got me thinking and reminded me of a German word called "Schadenfreude" which means shameful or damaging joy.

More than just a word describing an emotion, Schadenfreude is more of a psychological phenomenon that is certainly not unique to those of us here who took a perverse joy in TO's injury. In fact, in doing some quick research into the word, I found it is often described as one of the strongest forms of joy that there is.

You can experience Schadenfreude in witnessing a rival at work get in trouble for something.

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a smug celebrity or politician get humbled (like Martha Stewart, Bill Clinton, or Newt Gingrich).

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a bad person's death like the gleeful reaction many had to the Scott Peterson sentence or (as I expressed rather clumsily before) with the death of a "hated" person like the Hussein sons or Yasser Arafat.

All of these are unnatural feelings. You shouldn't be happy or joyful when anyone gets shamed or punished or injured or killed. Yet, undeniably, there are times when we do.

I don't think that makes us animals or sociopaths. It is probably unhealthy to dwell on that joy too much. Or to go overboard or disproportionate (like those who were wishing death on TO).

Anyway, this maybe should be moved to off-topic if the mods desire, but I wanted to get it off my chest.

[Fletch]

Mr. White, I'd have to say that was a pretty good post there. I definitely felt "schadenfreude" over the matter. It was theraputic almost. :D

Oh, and in your sig, where is the real #17 and Vinny? :laugh2:

[scottsp]

Good post! I don't wish injury on anyone, no not even T.O. I hate seeing people hurt.

By the same token, after we were able to summize it was nothing life or career threatening, my feelings quickly forced me to chuckle a tad. Not at the fact he was hurt, but at the possibility of more Eagle misfortune.

My only problem with what's being bantered about is the inference by some that Roy's tackle was "malicious." Come on, that is crazy. And also driving me mad is the notion that Roy could have found an alternate method of getting Owens down to the ground - one that would be lessen the possibility of injury.

To that, I have to laugh.

If defenders took the time to think about such things, they're not going to tackle anyone who runs like T.O. In fact, you can forget it. This game isn't played in slow motion. It isn't played in a vacuum. These are big men moving awfully fast and they make their living from doing everything they can to stay on their feet.

I do plead some level of guilt here, Danny. I would be less than honest if I were to tell you or anyone else here that my heart was totally absent of schadenfreude regarding this matter.

I am glad Terrell is okay. I feel he is a fine player. But I am more than giddy to know the Eagles are without him, most likely for the remainder of their season.

[EveryoneElse]

schadenfreude \SHAHD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.


I have been thinking quite a bit about the TO injury and the reaction here.

People have had very intense and varying reactions to this news, from extreme joy to extreme horror at the joy others are taking.

I, myself, initially wanted to feel "bad for TO" when I first saw the injury. Then, to my own surprise, I felt disappointment when I heard it was "just a minor injury."

Then, when I heard about the full extent of the injury, I found I had no remorse and perhaps a little satisfaction. I felt a little bad about it, but at the same time could not deny my feelings.

I remain convinced that if it were ANY other player, I would not feel this way.

Anyway, it got me thinking and reminded me of a German word called "Schadenfreude" which means shameful or damaging joy.

More than just a word describing an emotion, Schadenfreude is more of a psychological phenomenon that is certainly not unique to those of us here who took a perverse joy in TO's injury. In fact, in doing some quick research into the word, I found it is often described as one of the strongest forms of joy that there is.

You can experience Schadenfreude in witnessing a rival at work get in trouble for something.

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a smug celebrity or politician get humbled (like Martha Stewart, Bill Clinton, or Newt Gingrich).

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a bad person's death like the gleeful reaction many had to the Scott Peterson sentence or (as I expressed rather clumsily before) with the death of a "hated" person like the Hussein sons or Yasser Arafat.

All of these are unnatural feelings. You shouldn't be happy or joyful when anyone gets shamed or punished or injured or killed. Yet, undeniably, there are times when we do.

I don't think that makes us animals or sociopaths. It is probably unhealthy to dwell on that joy too much. Or to go overboard or disproportionate (like those who were wishing death on TO).

Anyway, this maybe should be moved to off-topic if the mods desire, but I wanted to get it off my chest.

I can relate to this.

When it happened, the first thing I thought was..."Holy crap, Roy just took him out". When he started limping to the tunnel I thought, "this guy has some self respect, he doesn't wanna go off on a cart".

I have come to this conclusion about the whole thing. The guy has made his name by disrespecting the STAR. Not by winning championships for his team, but by making a mockery of other teams, it's players, and it's fans.

The guy won't get any sympathy from me, hell, what goes around comes around sooner or later.

I don't get my jollies from watchng others suffer, but if anyone deserved something like this, it's TO and Eagle fans everywhere.

[CowboysFan02]

I can relate to this.

When it happened, the first thing I thought was..."Holy crap, Roy just took him out". When he started limping to the tunnel I thought, "this guy has some self respect, he doesn't wanna go off on a cart".

I have come to this conclusion about the whole thing. The guy has made his name by disrespecting the STAR. Not by winning championships for his team, but by making a mockery of other teams, it's players, and it's fans.

The guy won't get any sympathy from me, hell, what goes around comes around sooner or later.

I don't get my jollies from watchng others suffer, but if anyone deserved something like this, it's TO and Eagle fans everywhere.


My sentiments exactly, he has made his career mark if you will on the disrespect of other teams. Karma has a way of building up, and the stronger the pressure the worse the explosion. Not only is this Karma in the sense that T.O. dispects everything he can, but this is a blow to Philly fans, some of which include those that cheered a motionless Irvin.

Now with that said I didn't nor ever will root for a player to be injured. Even TO.

[TheSkaven]

I'll just reiterate what I said in a previous post - I do not ever, under any circumstances, root for a player to be injured.

Having said that, I take a bit of pride in knowing that if a player is hurt/knocked out of the game, Roy Williams is the one to do it. I would have much rather had it be Roy knocking the snot out of T.O. as he went over the middle but it happened how it happened.

I am not taking pleasure so much in T.O.'s injury as much as knowing that the Eagles' chances of winning the NFC just went down a whole lot.

Good post, btw.

[Hostile]

schadenfreude \SHAHD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.


I have been thinking quite a bit about the TO injury and the reaction here.

People have had very intense and varying reactions to this news, from extreme joy to extreme horror at the joy others are taking.

I, myself, initially wanted to feel "bad for TO" when I first saw the injury. Then, to my own surprise, I felt disappointment when I heard it was "just a minor injury."

Then, when I heard about the full extent of the injury, I found I had no remorse and perhaps a little satisfaction. I felt a little bad about it, but at the same time could not deny my feelings.

I remain convinced that if it were ANY other player, I would not feel this way.

Anyway, it got me thinking and reminded me of a German word called "Schadenfreude" which means shameful or damaging joy.

More than just a word describing an emotion, Schadenfreude is more of a psychological phenomenon that is certainly not unique to those of us here who took a perverse joy in TO's injury. In fact, in doing some quick research into the word, I found it is often described as one of the strongest forms of joy that there is.

You can experience Schadenfreude in witnessing a rival at work get in trouble for something.

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a smug celebrity or politician get humbled (like Martha Stewart, Bill Clinton, or Newt Gingrich).

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a bad person's death like the gleeful reaction many had to the Scott Peterson sentence or (as I expressed rather clumsily before) with the death of a "hated" person like the Hussein sons or Yasser Arafat.

All of these are unnatural feelings. You shouldn't be happy or joyful when anyone gets shamed or punished or injured or killed. Yet, undeniably, there are times when we do.

I don't think that makes us animals or sociopaths. It is probably unhealthy to dwell on that joy too much. Or to go overboard or disproportionate (like those who were wishing death on TO).

Anyway, this maybe should be moved to off-topic if the mods desire, but I wanted to get it off my chest.I like it. My vocabulary grew and it was a good take.

[SuspectCorner]

i don't enjoy seeing any player injured - not the season ending kind. i don't mind seeing an enemy player wince a little when they have been "laser-tagged" by a roy williams or dat nguyen. i want the player to continue playing - i also want them to continue remembering the penalty for being caught in the dallas defensive backfield. i'm sorry TO had his season prematurely and abruptly ended yesterday. but, as for the lack of sympathy owens gets from my fellow cowboys fans? owens has only HIMSELF to blame for that.

[Tuna Helper]

i don't enjoy seeing any player injured - not the season ending kind. i don't mind seeing an enemy player wince a little when they have been "laser-tagged" by a roy williams or dat nguyen. i want the player to continue playing - i also want them to continue remembering the penalty for being caught in the dallas defensive backfield. i'm sorry TO had his season prematurely and abruptly ended yesterday. but, as for the lack of sympathy owens gets from my fellow cowboys fans? owens has only HIMSELF to blame for that.

He who dances on the star has his leg broken. I think it is kinda funny. It would have been funnier if it happened at Texas Stadium though.

[EveryoneElse]

It would have been funnier if it happened at Texas Stadium though.

I'm gald it didn't happen at Texas stadium, sadly, I think we would have heard more cheers than gasps.

On the other hand, if it was gunna happen, and at texas stadium, wouldn't it have been weird if it happened right on the star?

[Henry]

Leave it to the Germans to come up with a word like that. :)

[Tuna Helper]

On the other hand, if it was gunna happen, and at texas stadium, wouldn't it have been weird if it happened right on the star?

That would have been karma at its finest. :iggles:

[4lifecowboy]

schadenfreude \SHAHD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.


Wow that is German! ;) ;)

[crazylegs]

schadenfreude \SHAHD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.


I have been thinking quite a bit about the TO injury and the reaction here.

People have had very intense and varying reactions to this news, from extreme joy to extreme horror at the joy others are taking.

I, myself, initially wanted to feel "bad for TO" when I first saw the injury. Then, to my own surprise, I felt disappointment when I heard it was "just a minor injury."

Then, when I heard about the full extent of the injury, I found I had no remorse and perhaps a little satisfaction. I felt a little bad about it, but at the same time could not deny my feelings.

I remain convinced that if it were ANY other player, I would not feel this way.

Anyway, it got me thinking and reminded me of a German word called "Schadenfreude" which means shameful or damaging joy.

More than just a word describing an emotion, Schadenfreude is more of a psychological phenomenon that is certainly not unique to those of us here who took a perverse joy in TO's injury. In fact, in doing some quick research into the word, I found it is often described as one of the strongest forms of joy that there is.

You can experience Schadenfreude in witnessing a rival at work get in trouble for something.

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a smug celebrity or politician get humbled (like Martha Stewart, Bill Clinton, or Newt Gingrich).

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a bad person's death like the gleeful reaction many had to the Scott Peterson sentence or (as I expressed rather clumsily before) with the death of a "hated" person like the Hussein sons or Yasser Arafat.

All of these are unnatural feelings. You shouldn't be happy or joyful when anyone gets shamed or punished or injured or killed. Yet, undeniably, there are times when we do.

I don't think that makes us animals or sociopaths. It is probably unhealthy to dwell on that joy too much. Or to go overboard or disproportionate (like those who were wishing death on TO).

Anyway, this maybe should be moved to off-topic if the mods desire, but I wanted to get it off my chest.

Funny I felt more shameful as in : farfagnugened

http://p3racing.net/vw/rabbit/000903014.jpg

[SweCowboy]

schadenfreude \SHAHD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.


I have been thinking quite a bit about the TO injury and the reaction here.

People have had very intense and varying reactions to this news, from extreme joy to extreme horror at the joy others are taking.

I, myself, initially wanted to feel "bad for TO" when I first saw the injury. Then, to my own surprise, I felt disappointment when I heard it was "just a minor injury."

Then, when I heard about the full extent of the injury, I found I had no remorse and perhaps a little satisfaction. I felt a little bad about it, but at the same time could not deny my feelings.

I remain convinced that if it were ANY other player, I would not feel this way.

Anyway, it got me thinking and reminded me of a German word called "Schadenfreude" which means shameful or damaging joy.

More than just a word describing an emotion, Schadenfreude is more of a psychological phenomenon that is certainly not unique to those of us here who took a perverse joy in TO's injury. In fact, in doing some quick research into the word, I found it is often described as one of the strongest forms of joy that there is.

You can experience Schadenfreude in witnessing a rival at work get in trouble for something.

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a smug celebrity or politician get humbled (like Martha Stewart, Bill Clinton, or Newt Gingrich).

You can experience Schadenfreude in hearing about a bad person's death like the gleeful reaction many had to the Scott Peterson sentence or (as I expressed rather clumsily before) with the death of a "hated" person like the Hussein sons or Yasser Arafat.

All of these are unnatural feelings. You shouldn't be happy or joyful when anyone gets shamed or punished or injured or killed. Yet, undeniably, there are times when we do.

I don't think that makes us animals or sociopaths. It is probably unhealthy to dwell on that joy too much. Or to go overboard or disproportionate (like those who were wishing death on TO).

Anyway, this maybe should be moved to off-topic if the mods desire, but I wanted to get it off my chest.
We have the same word in swedish. And as you say it basically means taking pleasure in others missfortunes. We actually have a saying too.

"Skadeglädjen är den enda sanna glädjen"
"the word" is the only true form of joy/happiness. Its kind of a strange saying though.

[JDSmith]

You guys must not watch the Simpsons. When Ned Flanders opens up the Leftoreum and Homer gloats that it's failing (because Homer wished failure on him when they split the wishbone) Lisa tells him about schadenfreude. You can learn a lot watching the Simpons.

[BulletBob]

When I saw the injury, I was hoping it was minor, and that TO would sit out the rest of the game.

I think we all often take our health for granted.

As for some of the reaction on the boards, here - you have now lowered yourselves to the level of the fans you love to hate. True, there was a distinct majority of applause when MI was carted off the field in Philly.

For the last 4 years these same people have been trashing the fans and the city (in which I was born & raised). Well, the same scenario arises, and lo & behold - same exact reaction.

I am as adamant a Cowboys fan as anyone here (have been ever since I could hold a football). I am grateful that this game was not in Irving, because given the reaction here, Cowboys fans would have been saddled with the same overhyped disdain that is felt toward Eagles fans across the country.

It was wrong then. It is wrong now. No matter what team. No matter what player.

Give it whatever foreign moniker you want, in English it still translates into "disgrace."

:enough:

[/soap box]

[Danny White]

You guys must not watch the Simpsons. When Ned Flanders opens up the Leftoreum and Homer gloats that it's failing (because Homer wished failure on him when they split the wishbone) Lisa tells him about schadenfreude. You can learn a lot watching the Simpons.

How could I forget that?!? Wonderful example.

In the end of that episode, of course, Homer is compelled by his shame to work to save Ned's store. I wonder how that translates to this incident?

[DallasKnight]

Irvin, even at his worst, could never equal the antics of T.O. His injury was LIFE threatening, not just career threatening. For Philly fans to cheer a LIFE threatening injury, classless. For Dallas fans to feel good about T.O. finally getting what was coming to him... priceless.

Call me classless, and we'll have words. T.O. was bad for the game in my opinion and I'm glad he's out. I really hope he never plays again. I don't like him, his attitude towards the fans, the team, his teammates, or anything else.

You know the 'Leon' commercials? Deion Sanders and T.O. both fit that category. I can't stand them. THEY are the classless ones and I'm sickened by them even being on the field. Children look up to them and try to emulate them. Great! Just what I want. A bunch of Wannabe T.O.'s and Deions growing up in the U.S.

To sum up. Do I feel bad about feeling good that T.O. got hurt. Not ONE iota. Do I ever want to see him suit up again. NO!

[Danny White]

When I saw the injury, I was hoping it was minor, and that TO would sit out the rest of the game.

I think we all often take our health for granted.

As for some of the reaction on the boards, here - you have now lowered yourselves to the level of the fans you love to hate. True, there was a distinct majority of applause when MI was carted off the field in Philly.

For the last 4 years these same people have been trashing the fans and the city (in which I was born & raised). Well, the same scenario arises, and lo & behold - same exact reaction.

I am as adamant a Cowboys fan as anyone here (have been ever since I could hold a football). I am grateful that this game was not in Irving, because given the reaction here, Cowboys fans would have been saddled with the same overhyped disdain that is felt toward Eagles fans across the country.

It was wrong then. It is wrong now. No matter what team. No matter what player.

Give it whatever foreign moniker you want, in English it still translates into "disgrace."

:enough:

[/soap box]

I know you're a good guy BB. If you truly felt nothing but remorse for TO from the moment he went down to now, you're even better than I thought and a better man than I.

Knowing human nature, and what it means to be an intense fan (or fanatic as the case may be) it's hard for me to believe that any passionate, lifelong Dallas fan would not feel even a brief moment of Schadenfreude at the news of TO's injury. We are talking about Terrell Freaking Owens of the Philadelphia Eagles here!

But I certainly take you at your word and admire you for your stance. But I also understand where some of the others are coming from.

[BulletBob]

I know you're a good guy BB. If you truly felt nothing but remorse for TO from the moment he went down to now, you're even better than I thought and a better man than I.

Knowing human nature, and what it means to be an intense fan (or fanatic as the case may be) it's hard for me to believe that any passionate, lifelong Dallas fan would not feel even a brief moment of Schadenfreude at the news of TO's injury. We are talking about Terrell Freaking Owens of the Philadelphia Eagles here!

But I certainly take you at your word and admire you for your stance. But I also understand where some of the others are coming from.

I appreciate the compliment, Matt. If I am indeed a better man than you, that makes you worse than a :bastid:

Here's the deal. When TO went down, my first thought was - OK, now we have a shot at winning! Then, when I saw him in pain in the tunnel, I was thinking: "OK, well, I hope it's nothing major, but it would be nice if he sits out the second half because Jabba the Hut doesn't want to chance it again.

Then, when I heard that he was out for the season, I was not elated, not even a little. I was also sickened by the hypocracy of Cowboys fans who screamed bloody murder when the same thing happened to MI, and yet were clearly "cheering" this event in their posts.

Look, let me put it in a context we both can understand - business. Let's say your biggest competitor in the area has been clobbering you for the past 10 years. The owner is a real bastid, and is more than a little ethically challenged. I can see hoping that the law catches up to him. What I cannot see is displaying glee that his wife was just diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and he needs to take the next 6 months off to spend time with her.

I just think that there is something morally wrong with taking delight in the physical misfortunes of others. As much of a monster as Scott Peterson was, I cannot process that people would cheer a death sentence. Yes, he got what was coming to him, but isn't it a somber event, rather than an uplifting one?

When Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling lost everything as a result of their abuses at Enron, justice was indeed served. We can take solace in the fact that the people who do not play by the rules often pay for it, but why the revelry?

I dunno - some would say that justice was served when TO went down, because he was such a flamboyant hot dog. That may be. I just think that it is an event that should be met with sobriety rather than inebriation.

[Danny White]

I appreciate the compliment, Matt. If I am indeed a better man than you, that makes you worse than a :bastid:

Here's the deal. When TO went down, my first thought was - OK, now we have a shot at winning! Then, when I saw him in pain in the tunnel, I was thinking: "OK, well, I hope it's nothing major, but it would be nice if he sits out the second half because Jabba the Hut doesn't want to chance it again.

Then, when I heard that he was out for the season, I was not elated, not even a little. I was also sickened by the hypocracy of Cowboys fans who screamed bloody murder when the same thing happened to MI, and yet were clearly "cheering" this event in their posts.

Look, let me put it in a context we both can understand - business. Let's say your biggest competitor in the area has been clobbering you for the past 10 years. The owner is a real bastid, and is more than a little ethically challenged. I can see hoping that the law catches up to him. What I cannot see is displaying glee that his wife was just diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and he needs to take the next 6 months off to spend time with her.

I just think that there is something morally wrong with taking delight in the physical misfortunes of others. As much of a monster as Scott Peterson was, I cannot process that people would cheer a death sentence. Yes, he got what was coming to him, but isn't it a somber event, rather than an uplifting one?

When Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling lost everything as a result of their abuses at Enron, justice was indeed served. We can take solace in the fact that the people who do not play by the rules often pay for it, but why the revelry?

I dunno - some would say that justice was served when TO went down, because he was such a flamboyant hot dog. That may be. I just think that it is an event that should be met with sobriety rather than inebriation.

Your comparison with the competitor's wife getting breast cancer is not completely accurate because Owens was not an innocent bystander. In fact, a large part of the "joy" was that it was Owens, a person who has personally insulted the Cowboys. If it were any other player, you would have seen a MUCH different reaction, I believe.

Also, someone getting cancer is much worse than what happened to TO. I think if TO had been paralyzed or injured in the fashion of Irvin, the reaction might have been different as well. I think mine would have been.

What you say about Peterson and the Enron culprits is true. Yet time and time again, otherwise good people take joy in misfortunes like that. THAT is curious thing about Shadenfreude, which is why I started this thread in the first place. It is a strange and perverse (and common) phenomenon that isn't really easily explained.