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Do you remember that feeling when someone you know stumbles and you can’t help but find it funny? A spark that briefly illuminates your darker curiosities. This intriguing emotion, known as schadenfreude, is surprisingly common in workplaces. Let’s explore how and why we experience schadenfreude, especially at work.
Not sure what I am talking about? Here are some ‘try not to laugh’ challenges for you.
And this.
And this clip from Modern Family.
The Schadenfreude Effect: Joy in Others’ Downfalls
Schadenfreude is a German term made up of schaden for damage or harm and freude for joy. It’s the pleasure we derive from others’ misfortunes.
From politics to slapstick comedy, schadenfreude is a common, if uncomfortable, part of our lives. There’s an entire online industry around ‘Try Not To Laugh’ challenges.
Charlie Chaplin’s films thrived on it, and so did the card game Cards Against Humanity originally called ‘Cardenfreude’ designed to elicit humour from awkward, hypothetical situations1Article on the creation of Cards Against Humanity.
Its meaning is immortalised in the Avenue Q musical:
Being on an elevator when somebody shouts ‘Hold the door!’
Oh yea! No!
Schadenfreude…
Fuck you lady! That’s what stairs are for!
Ooh- How about:
Straight A student’s getting B’s…
Exes getting STDs…
Waking doormen from their naps…
Watching tourists reading maps…
Football players getting tackled…
CEOs getting shackled…
Watching actors never reach… the ending of their Oscar speech!
Schadenfreude!
Schadenfreude is the flicker of thrill at another’s misfortune. It’s like a fleeting spark that flares up briefly, illuminating the dark corners of our curiosity before fading into the bitter taste of regret.
There’s a reason the ‘Peeking Jesus’ template exists on TikTok and Instagram!
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Understanding Schadenfreude: Aggression, Rivalry, and Justice
Our society is built around identity and self-esteem. When you see someone fail, your psyche gets a boost, like a reward. You feel you’re better than they are.
The driving force behind it is aggression, rivalry, and a sense of justice2Exploring the When and Why of Schadenfreude:
Aggression-based Schadenfreude: Group Identity and Validation
This involves group identity. The joy in the suffering of another group provides validation to the person’s own group.
For instance, when the USA defeated Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, many in India celebrated not for strategic reasons but because of group identity.
Political landscapes exhibit this as well, where opponents revel in the leading party’s missteps. The Republicans are having a field day with Biden’s gaffes ahead of the 2024 elections.
Rivalry-based Schadenfreude: Interpersonal Competition and One-upmanship
This is individualistic and related to interpersonal competition. It arises from a desire to stand out from and outperform one’s peers.
Schadenfreude at work is the pleasure derived from others’ misfortunes in professional settings, most of the times stemming from rivalry or perceived justice. Imagine you and your colleague are vying for the promotion and they mess up in a client presentation. Schadenfreude examples at work often emerge here, where seeing a rival falter brings a sense of satisfaction.
While it offers temporary satisfaction, it’s important to recognize and address these feelings to foster a healthier work environment.
Justice-based Schadenfreude: Moral Superiority and Retribution
It comes from seeing that behavior seen as immoral or “bad” is punished. We all remember the Road Runner Show, no?
When Tiger Woods faced public turmoil, many felt satisfaction, believing he deserved it.
Media thrives on schadenfreude, capitalizing on headlines that highlight others’ downfalls, stirring public intrigue and engagement.
This feeling was very much evident during the 2008 financial crisis, when everyone suffered due to the total market collapse. However, quite a few people reveled when the bankers lost their jobs.
The times are too difficult and the crisis too severe to indulge in schadenfreude. Looking at it in perspective, the fact that there would be a financial crisis was perfectly predictable: its general nature, if not its magnitude. Markets are always inefficient.
– Noam Chomsky
Despite societal repercussions—like economic hardships under poor leadership or business losses from a colleague’s error—schadenfreude persists, offering a temporary sense of superiority.
Schadenfreude can act like a drug and like any drug, the overuse is dangerous.
The Schadenfreude Phenomenon: What Does It Reveal About Us?
Experiencing schadenfreude doesn’t make you a bad person, but awareness is key.
It’s a way to cope with feelings of inferiority, celebrating the fact that everyone, even the mighty, can falter.
“Did you see Elon Musk dancing like a goof at that event?” Never mind his success, I am happy that he looked so foolish! [Note: If you like Elon, you will also like my article on the ‘strong opinions, loosely held‘ framework and how Elon applies it.]
Maybe we’re all just broken inside. Unable to really grasp the difference between fictional people and people we just don’t know. They’re all just abstract ideas we’re happy to have suffer for our enjoyment.
– Jonathan Sims
Schadenfreude might be a natural emotion, but it’s also a window into our deepest insecurities and social dynamics.
By understanding and acknowledging this, we can strive to be better, both to ourselves and to others.
Footnotes:
- 1Article on the creation of Cards Against Humanity
- 2
