Welcome to Gaia! ::

There's the concept of schadenfreude, which is delight at someone's misfortune (and also another hilarious song from Avenue Q). But I want to know if it came about recently because of reality TV, mass communication, and globalization, or if it's been around forever as a way of us seeing an opportunity to take advantage of a fallen opponent in our early, primal years.

Discuss: schadenfreude, catharsis, Avenue Q, and why we feel the need to feel joy at others' failings.

Umm... it's a misconception to think that everyone enjoys seeing others fail. Generally speaking though, if you anything, human or animal, sees someone/thing fail at something they can succeed at, it tends to give them a sense of pride and accomplishment, even if minuet. It's generally a primal instinct of being the 'better' of the two. Everyone/thing has a primal instinct instilled in them, some just show it more than others. Take apes for example. You have three apes fighting to prove their dominance. One fails to do something the other did successfully, the successful ape is going to have a natural confidence boost and think "Well, if I can do that and he can't, then maybe I am actually better than him". (metaphorically speaking of course, I have no idea how apes actually think. sweatdrop )

Okay... I'm done rambling... I hope that made at least a little sense... sweatdrop

Edit: Oh, and just for the record, and sake of conversation, I don't consciously find enjoyment in seeing others fail. I could just as easily be the one failing and I probably wouldn't be happy if I were in their situation.