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Searchenfreude: How we use Google to find joy in others’ misfortune
Dominic Litten is kind enough to be our guest blogger today!
Part of my news routine each morning is perusing my reader, checking the SEO headlines and checking the Google Hot Trends widget. Yesterday, mixed in with the usual Monday morning news topic trends (e.g. the latest teacher or celebrity scandal) were such search terms as “columbus ohio newspaper†and “columbus dispatch.â€
Still bleary eyed from the night before, it took me a few seconds before I realized why people were searching for Ohio-based newspapers: Ohio State had fallen for the second year in a row in the BCS national title game, and people wanted to read about it.
Apparently, Americans not only enjoy reading about their favorite sporting events the next morning, but also reading about the misery and pain of the losing city, school or team. This phenomenon does not start or end with Ohio State’s most recent bed-wetting. In fact, I have noticed similar searches the morning after other demoralizing losses.
In realizing this trend, I’ve come to this conclusion: we’ve become a nation of schadenfreude searchers. What is schadenfreude? Merriam-Webster defines it as “enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others.†I can’t think of a better term.
But is this normal? Should we feel bad for seeking out how the other half feels? In speaking with colleagues and friends, this is a quite common occurrence. In fact, I can recall searching for “Canadian soldiers†and “Yankees†the day after a plague swarmed the New York Yankees in the Divisional playoffs.
But in trouble times like these, who should be our guiding light on such search patterns and schadenfreude? Like most Americans, I sought out a Simpson’s episode, during which Homer Simpson gives us the final thought on schadenfreude: “Boy, those Germans have a word for everything.â€
They sure do Homer. They sure do.
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Comments
1 Comment so farOne Response to “Searchenfreude: How we use Google to find joy in others’ misfortune”
Indeed. I believe one of Germany’s most notable sons, Hitler, once said: “I do not see why man should not be just as cruel as nature.”
I happened to be watching the Biggest Loser last night (fine, think what you want) and noted to my daughter who learned that same day that her body fat was a paltry 16% (not relevant, but slightly ironic) that two of the young heavyweights were taking tremendous joy in the fact that others did not lose as much weight as they did. In other words, they were so much happy with their own achievements as they were with their competitors losses (or lack thereof).
But to go out of one’s way to find joy in the sorrow of others seems particularly sick. Perhaps Aberdeen can incorporate this issue into their next research project. Or better still, Google can add a new search category between “Images” and “Maps” called Schadenfreude.
I think the train-wreck that is Michael Jackson said it best in the song, Bad: We Can Change The World Tomorrow, This Could Be A Better Place, If You Don’t Like What I’m Sayin’ Then Won’t You Slap My Face… because I’m Bad, You Know It. And if you don’t know it, you can search it.