Queen of Schadenfreude

For the past week, I have awakened each day to good news. Another tight race has been won by a candidate not owned by Big Business and old cronies. Another bit of optimism about equality and justice. Another genuine criminal dealing with the consequences of their acts. Another formerly powerful individual revealing their true self.

Schadenfreude is self-satisfaction that comes from learning about the troubles, failures, pain, or humiliation of another person. (Wikipedia)

I am usually pretty good at empathy, even for people or groups I don’t like. But after living in dread of what new low my society will sink to next, I find myself feeling satisfaction lately. Maybe I’m just giddy from allowing myself to believe things might get back to normal in the US, or maybe, given some of the non-elites coming into elected offices, things could get better.

The idea of a government that works to provide health, safety, and equality for residents, and yet balance a budget is no longer a fairy tale. It will take a lot of work, cooperation, and compromise, but maybe it can happen.

In the meantime, I’m glad to see glimpses of sanity and the return of checks and balances. I hope it sticks. I truly don’t want joy in the sadness of others. I want to find ways where we can remember our shared humanity.

I keep saying this stuff. I guess I’m trying to manifest reason and common sense.