Schadenfreude

I had not heard of the word until about two months ago.  I could pronounce “schadenfreude,” but I had no idea of what it meant.  A quick read of its definition in my Merriam-Webster Dictionary, made it clear I had observed, and even participated in it

Schadenfreude  is “enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others.”  It is finding joy and vindication when people around us — whether we know them or not — have difficulties, bad luck, or even pain.

A mild form of this delight is realized when we watch the ‘funniest” home video programs. We laugh when someone runs into a tree, is hit by a rake, or slips and falls. That amusement is schadenfreude.  Sometimes, we keep our enjoyment and delight to ourselves.  Other times, we let it explode — such as when we join in yelling “air ball” in response to an opposing player missing the basket and the backboard in a ball game.

Schadenfreude and politics seem to go together.  Think of the joy found when a presidential candidate misspeaks.  The spirits of political pundits soar when they find the opportunity to delight in the plight of others.  Consider the delight liberals discovered when the world learned Rush Limbaugh had an addiction problem.  Remember the joy conservatives found as Hillary faced troubles in her marriage as Monica became a household name. 

Observing other’s bad grades, business troubles, family difficulties — even the struggles of a college — can create a spirit of schadenfreude in an individual or a group.  Other peoples’ problems can make us feel self-righteousness and look virtuous. 

Poet John Donne wrote “any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”  His words remind me of another word: compassion.

To be a person of compassion is to have a desire to help.  It is responding to the pain, difficulty, disappointments and challenges of others, with a desire to lend a hand.  A spirit of compassion reflects what often is called the Golden Rule:  “Do to others as you would have done to you.”

A kinder, gentler, more hopeful community is realized as shadenfreude is diminished and is replaced with a concern for the wellbeing of others — institutions and individuals.

Peace.