Read a couple of books today, one of them, Schadenfreude: The Joy of Another’s Misfortune by Tiffany Watt Smith offers a delightful exploration of the complex emotion that sees us derive pleasure in the failures or humiliations of others. And, by “others”, I mean rivals, bullies, hypocrites, and runway models in impossibly high heels.
Anyway, an informative, highly-entertaining read that got me to thinking about the memorable instances of schadenfreude I’ve experienced, instances big and small.
Like that time I was driving home one night and was almost sideswiped by a sports car weaving wildly in and out of traffic before speeding off. Fifteen minutes later, I drove by the same car parked on the shoulder, its driver contending with an officer in an unmarked police car as other passing motorists honked their best wishes in passing.
Or that time many years ago when, I as a young, un-produced writer, submitted a pitch to a teen series only to have it go unanswered for months. And then, while attempting to follow up, being reprimanded by the show’s producer – who, two years later, ended up having to pitch me his new show in my new position as a manager of animation development.
And that time that executive, who kind of screwed me over on that one deal, later ended up getting turfed for expensing escorts to his company account.
Yep, life’s full of ’em.
Please, do regale us with your personal instances of delectable schadenfreude.
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