... and this is supposed to be new findings? Uh... hello? I mean come on! I know for sure that I would have to stifle my laughter should someone actually slip on a banana peel in the street. Not sure if it was the person slipping I would laugh of or the entire situation that it was actually possible to slip on a banana peel XD.
Seriously, why is it that reality tv is so popular these days? Exactly because of that. It seems that we love watching various shows on tv that for instance picture battles that morbidly obese people go through to get healthy and thin, people undergo extensive surgery only to be bedridden for weeks on end for a more physically attractive appearance and let's not forget about shows like X Factor and American Idol: the show where hundreds of contestants are humiliated on television in front of millions of viewers.
The purpose of all these shows? Schadenfreude, nothing more and nothing less. Just take a look at viewer ratings and it's clear that this kind of entertainment is just about what we want to watch. It all boils down to us, as viewers, sitting comfortably on our @!#%¤ in front of the tv, thinking "thank the heavens that's not me on display"!
The survey even stated that it's typically people with low self-esteem that seem to derive most pleasure from schadenfreude. The lower your selfesteem is the more pleasure you feel from other peoples misfortune.
In case you didn't know before, now it's scientifically proven. Reality-shows appeal to the lowest denominator, something we all, myself included, have watched.
Maybe it's about time we watch someone who's actually good at what they do... but then again, where's the fun in that?? ;)
6 comments:
Wow..interesting survey, it is kinda true. But I feel bad for ppl who slip on banana peel and won't laugh at them. If my friends tell me that they're having bad time too when I feel bummed, it makes me feel better because I know I'm not the only one who suffered. I would alawys tell my friends my misfortunes when they're in bad mood too, to let them know they're not alone.
i think its more that we like watching drama on reality tv more, like wow, what else are they gonna do? Nowai! Seriously?! But yeah now we have scientific proof our human nature gets the best of us
good post. i never did enjoy reality tv that much but for the aesthetic values in some, such as project runway, top model, etc... .
drama on reality tv would always be a huge turn off for me
but i never did consider myself to have a healthy dose of self-esteem, either... hmm
this is so true, chi. most of the time we like hearing people's problems than actually hearing how wonderful someone's life is...
This was such an interesting post! But I totally understand it, I think that it's just in our competive nature to enjoy in hearing of other's misfortunes. I try not to be like that, but sometimes it happens...
This is so true. I hate to say it, but I think it's just a part of human nature. Sometimes it's easier to hear about someone else's misfortune than to deal with our own.
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