I think the only reason people ever say things like this make them ‘happy’ is in the absence of a more accurate label.
In a country devoid of legal justice, we’ve basically just been confronted by a thug who, while attempting to mug us at gunpoint, shot his own dick off when he was attempting to pull the firearm from his pants.
So for the victim, there’s a degree of relief that the threat from that specific thug is now over (unfortunately we’re being simultaneously mugged by thousands of other identical thugs…), a complete lack of empathy for the thug from the victim (if you put my life in danger, I suddenly don’t give a single fuck about the quality or preservation of yours); and a recognition of the comical irony of the thug’s own weapon being the thing that disabled him.
Against the contrast we’ve grown accustomed to of getting mugged and watching our assailants face zero consequences, the above stands out as uniquely positive, albeit morbid.
Another angle: if you’ve persisted on dirty, sewage contaminated water your entire life; then get the opportunity to drink a glass of pure, clean water, you might call it sweet even if it isn’t literally so; it just seems that way relative to the vile biohazard you’re used to.
So, happiness? No. The closest we’ll be able to get to happiness? Yeah, probably.
I think the only reason people ever say things like this make them ‘happy’ is in the absence of a more accurate label.
Schadenfreude? Commonly translated to English as “joy at seeing other’s misfortune.” I hope in most cases it is more associated with seeing someone in the wrong receiving their comeuppance. The joy of watching your enemy suffer a setback or even defeat.
I think the only reason people ever say things like this make them ‘happy’ is in the absence of a more accurate label.
In a country devoid of legal justice, we’ve basically just been confronted by a thug who, while attempting to mug us at gunpoint, shot his own dick off when he was attempting to pull the firearm from his pants.
So for the victim, there’s a degree of relief that the threat from that specific thug is now over (unfortunately we’re being simultaneously mugged by thousands of other identical thugs…), a complete lack of empathy for the thug from the victim (if you put my life in danger, I suddenly don’t give a single fuck about the quality or preservation of yours); and a recognition of the comical irony of the thug’s own weapon being the thing that disabled him.
Against the contrast we’ve grown accustomed to of getting mugged and watching our assailants face zero consequences, the above stands out as uniquely positive, albeit morbid.
Another angle: if you’ve persisted on dirty, sewage contaminated water your entire life; then get the opportunity to drink a glass of pure, clean water, you might call it sweet even if it isn’t literally so; it just seems that way relative to the vile biohazard you’re used to.
So, happiness? No. The closest we’ll be able to get to happiness? Yeah, probably.
Schadenfreude? Commonly translated to English as “joy at seeing other’s misfortune.” I hope in most cases it is more associated with seeing someone in the wrong receiving their comeuppance. The joy of watching your enemy suffer a setback or even defeat.