My main source of joy in the modern world

submitted by fschmidt from en.wikipedia.org

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[–]Node 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Justice-based schadenfreude comes from seeing that behavior seen as immoral or "bad" is punished. It is the pleasure associated with seeing a "bad" person being harmed or receiving retribution. Schadenfreude is experienced here because it makes people feel that fairness has been restored for a previously un-punished wrong.

This may not exactly capture the basis of the feeling, as it's less 'bad behavior' than simply a malformation or a malfunctioning in the modern human. Still, there is a 'rightness' in seeing behavior reaping due consequence, whether for good or for bad.

[–]wary_observer 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

it's less 'bad behavior' than simply a malformation or a malfunctioning in the modern human

What is the difference between malfunctioning and bad behavior? In what way are modern humans malformed or malfunctioning?

[–]Node 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Bad behavior is more based on intent, whereas a malfunction is simply inherent to the current state of the behaver. Modern humans are for the most part disconnected from the earth, our environment, and God. The existence of large cities is one obvious proof. Intentionally heading towards our own extinction could be considered a malfunction, but alternatively could be cited as proof that we've recognized 'the bad', and are working to eliminate it...

From our embrace of technology that's ruining our environment and harming ourselves, to frivolously using up our critical resources at around 3 times the replacement rate, modern humans appear to be malfunctioning in every way that's possible.

[–]wary_observer 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Intentionally heading towards our own extinction... could be cited as proof that we've recognized 'the bad', and are working to eliminate it...

I'm doubtful of the average person's capacity to recognize much of anything beyond immediate concerns, much less act to correct it. Recent events seem to corroborate that.