Why do humans prefer to see their fellows fail, rather than succeed?

Question

Why is it that society almost relishes other people's misfortune? The press is a good example of this; we love to hear of marriages breaking up, kooky births, scandals... Even office gossip is 95% negative. Any philosophers/psychologists that can explain this for me?

Answer 1

do they?

Answer 2

I'm not a philosopher or a psychologist, however I believe that we "relish" the misfortunes and the oddities to feel validated about ourselves. "My marriage didn't break up when we hit hard times. So I'm better than her..."

Sometimes it is to learn something... Like watching a tv show about how a plane crashed. Sure people died in the crash, but what caused it to go down?

It's human nature to be fascinated by things, especially if they draw on pure emotions like fear, anger, joy... or even just curiosity.

Answer 3

There are some people who cannot do anything with their lives but to gossip about their neighbor's misfortune. Maybe they want to get even with them or maybe they envy that person. But not all. I believe that there are still a lot of good people here on earth who doesn't do these things.

Answer 4

When someone points their finger at someone else and says, 'there goes the bad guy', for some reason it supposed mean they are the good guy.

And, in the food chain, when someone else fails/falls, we automatically assume we move up.

This happens when we display our prejudices. By negatively classifying people on the basis of their race, creed or color, it makes us secure and promotes our self interests on the job, socially, culturally, etc.

When someone else fails/falls, it is usually a term to represent they are beneath those of us who are still standing. It is a false sense of security.

Answer 5

actual no longer. Everyones point of spirit and selfishness are distinctive. we are all like thumbprints. thousands of years of religion has replaced us. might desire to you think of this international without Love. God is the middle of love for the universe, kinda like an offspring. a chronic love with the aid of generations. What might life be like had there no longer been the excellent flood. cases have become extra good, equivalent rights are pushing out the religious ideals the united statesturned into formed on. the international has non-believers and complete evil-doers. Kinda brings the spirit all the way down to computer screen the numbers fall.

Answer 6

A lot of people are insecure, and if they see other people as miserable as they are, or more, it makes them feel more "normal." And if they can make someone else feel bad, they get free tickets to a power trip. People who feel good about themselves, deep down, don't need to put people down or suck energy from the misfortunes of others.

Answer 7

Don't need to be a psychologist - people like to see others fail 'cos it says to them, "at least I'm not that bad!" "at least I didn't do what they did!"
It's like bullying, putting others down to make yourself feel strong.

Answer 8

i think there are many reasons. someone like that cos they r jealous of others, someone maybe have some psycological problems, and someone are born to be hostile to others.
anyway. i think god have mercy on those ppl. it l be nice to c ppl care about each other, whether fail or succeed.

Answer 9

A small group of people might be like that...the rest of us are cheering for the winners.

Answer 10

natural .if someone is failing than u become the survivor.this boosts ur ego.in life this is nescerry like salt.

Answer 11

It distracts people from acknowledging their own short comings and it's dramatic.