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RE: Why We Laugh At The Misfortune Of Others: The Science Of 'Schadenfreude'
we're not envious of the kids or animals in fail videos, yet we still laugh at it
Perhaps the envy is not recognized in the same way. Most children and pets don't have to work for a living and get joy out of the smallest things, they are amazed at the world, something that many adults can envy, their innocence.
You may be looking at a person which on usual circumstances wouldn't show you anything you can envy, but when you see them smiling and dancing on the video right before they fall...you are probably watching more happiness in them than you are experiencing which can cause envy.
Have you not met people who are always smiling and others ask them why? Some people even get on a bad mood because the other can smile.
Good point, yes that might be an underlying feeling that we have!
In the study, the researchers simply used money because it's the most obvious factor to measure envy, but of course there are many different aspects to it.