1. Chapman describes people in Islamic cultures who flock to gawk at the misfortunes of others. Americans are also fascinated, even entertained, by others’ problems and misfortunes. How do you account for the causes of our fascination with others’ misfortunes. Give one example of this phenomenon as it relates to the Chapman essay, and then explain why you think people are so attracted to the troubles of others’ misfortunes. Consider linking Stephen King’s Why We Crave Horror Movies (p. 397) for some insights into this morbid human tendency.
Seeing that Americans as well as people of the Islamic culture both obtain great entertainment out of the viewing one’s pain, I believe this disgusting and disturbing thrill is a part of the human nature. I’m sure we have all switched on the TV and seen something like funniest home videos, where people are doing face plants, falling off their bikes, running into walls, getting pegged in the face by a dodge ball or so on… and we laugh. WE LAUGH AT SOMEONES PAIN. I can think of no other reason of this tendency, than that it is just a part of us as humans, I don’t know though, I don’t study Behavioral genetics. I did notice though that this subject related to not only our sick inner Jack the Ripper craving from “Why we Crave Horror Movies” but also... our tendency to not interfere and help but to stand and watch or laugh in “Why we don’t Help in a Crisis”. Where as we in our western culture have TV and internet to be in tune with our daily doses of human pain and humiliation via Americas Funniest Home Videos, and Failblog.com and many other sources; In Islamic cultures where internet and television are not accepted, public flogging and humiliation is their way to achieve this entertainment, and we in our western culture see this as very barbaric.
I agree.. there is this sight that was created called fmylife.com and it's completely entertaining with situations that happened to the people who chose to post on there. I think that if all this humiliation and pain was available to everyone everywhere then maybe the need for public flogging wouldn't be necessary. At the same time, it creates good punishment for their country and kind of seems like a warning to those who witness.
ReplyDeleteFML is the best site ever... But honestly it is sick and twisted that we laugh at other peoples misfortune but were all guilty of it. Its simply human nature.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the reasons we find America's Funniest Home videos so funny is cause we are just glad that stuff doesn't happen to us. Even if it's sick to laugh at it, we can't help finding weird situations funny.
ReplyDeleteYou provide some good details in your post. Thrill is apart of our lives and always will be.
ReplyDeleteNice linking of those essays to Americans' fascination with others' miseries.
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