From: Joao Pedro de Magalhaes (joao.magalhaes@fundp.ac.be)
Date: Mon Jan 24 2000 - 09:25:12 MST
Hi!
>At 04:23 PM 24/01/00 +0100, Joao Pedro de Magalhaes wrote:
>>I believe that there is some genetic mechanism to
>>make humans take pleasure out of other humans' pleasure.
>
>And of course out of others' displeasure. (The Germans have a useful word
>for this.)
I don't know; It depends on the case and the person in question. If it's
someone completely strange to me, I take no pleasure out of that person's
displeasure (unless, of course, I can gain something out of it).
>In fact, in my forthcoming book TRANSREALIST FICTION I coin a term for the
>pleasure we receive in *hearing about* the misfortunes of others, at great
>length: Scheherazadenfreude.
Of course practical people will call it "Sche" or "Schefre" of "SZF" because
no-one uses such long words in conversations. And I personally don't think I
take pleasure in hearing about other people's misfortunes, unless it's a
funny story. Do you take pleasure in hearing about the death of someone's
mother? If it's something really bad, I think I get pain, even if I don't
know the person in question.
Hasta.
---
Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
The University of Namur (FUNDP)
Unit of Cellular Biochemistry & Biology
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
B-5000 Namur BELGIUM
Fax: + 32 81 724135
Phone: + 32 81 724133
Reason's Triumph: http://users.compaqnet.be/jpnitya/
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