Summary: As human beings we have a tendency to celebrate other people's failures or downfalls. It is true - don't try and deny it. And, don't be too hard on yourself about it either. In Richard H. Smith's book, The Joy of Pain: Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature, he shares a number of wonderful examples. One of which is how Homer Simpson so often celebrates if his neighbor, Ned Flanders, flounders ;) Stop a minute and consider...do you celebrate in the failure of others? Do you experience schadenfreude? But wait...what is schadenfreude? We don't even have a word for it in the English language. Schadenfreude is German meaning shameful joy - basically. It is the pleasure and joy you feel from someone else's troubles. Think of how often a celebrity or political figure has something unpleasant happen that gets plastered all over the news. There are a lot of people who will relish in that person's difficult times. Think Martha Stewart, Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton or, of course, Ned Flanders. However, this also includes your neighbors, co-workers, competitors, etc. Should we feel this? Is it okay? This is just one of the many questions we asked our fabulous guest today! Listen in now...and then pick up a copy of his book by clicking here. Richard Smith is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. He majored in English at Brown University and completed his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He studies social emotions such as awe, envy, and schadenfreude. In gratitude, Drs. Rob + Janelle Alex, Ph.D.
