The Fascinating Psychology Behind Our Enjoyment of Others’ Failures, as Uncovered by Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Schadenfreude, that guilty pleasure we feel when someone else fails, is a psychological phenomenon documented for centuries. We like to think we are empathetic, but a part of our brain enjoys the misfortune of others, especially when it comes to . Artificial intelligence has analyzed behavior patterns and offers a fascinating perspective on why we experience this emotion and how social networks have amplified this primitive instinct.
### The evolutionary root of pleasure in others’ failure
From an evolutionary point of view, it makes sense. For thousands of years, humans competed for resources and status within their social groups. When a rival stumbled, their loss meant a possible gain for others. This dynamic has been maintained throughout history, although nowadays, instead of fighting for food or territory, we strive for validation and success in our careers or social networks.
### The factor of social comparison
Psychologist Leon Festinger proposed the theory of social comparison in 1954, explaining how people evaluate their own success in relation to others. Artificial intelligence has confirmed this theory by analyzing our : the more we see others fail, the better we tend to feel about ourselves. It is an unconscious mechanism of self-confirmation, a kind of “well, at least it didn’t happen to me” that comforts us and gives us a small dose of satisfaction.
### Social networks and the amplification of schadenfreude
Digital platforms have turned the pleasure in others’ failure into a public spectacle. AI has detected that social media algorithms favor outrage and ridicule because they generate more interactions. This explains why the mistakes and falls of public figures go viral so quickly. The more controversial and humiliating a failure is, .
The problem is that this cycle of enjoyment and collective humiliation can have serious consequences. While users have fun with the failure of others, those who suffer it may face devastating psychological impacts. Artificial intelligence has identified correlations between cyberbullying and mental health problems, demonstrating that digital schadenfreude can become dangerous.
Can we avoid this dark pleasure?
Accepting that we feel pleasure in the failure of others is the first step to reduce its negative impact. AI suggests that greater awareness of how algorithms work and our own emotional responses could help us consume content more responsibly. If we understand that our interactions fuel the cycle of schadenfreude on social networks, we can choose not to participate in public humiliation and, instead, practice empathy.
Failure is inevitable, and we will all go through tough times. Artificial intelligence reminds us that, in a world where everything is shared and goes viral, we could be the protagonists of the next fall. Perhaps the best way to break this pattern is not to stop feeling schadenfreude, but to learn to use it as an opportunity to reflect on our own humanity.
