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Description
The Joy of Pain: Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human NatureFew people will easily admit to taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others. But who doesn't enjoy it when an arrogant but untalented contestant is humiliated on American Idol, or when the embarrassing vice of a self righteous politician is exposed, or even when an envied friend suffers a small setback? The truth is that joy in someone else's pain known by the German word schadenfreude permeates our society. In The Joy of Pain, psychologist Richard
Few people will easily admit to taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others. But who doesn't enjoy it when an arrogant but untalented contestant is humiliated on American Idol, or when the embarrassing vice of a self-righteous politician is exposed, or even when an envied friend suffers a small setback? The truth is that joy in someone else's pain--known by the German word schadenfreude--permeates our society. In The Joy of Pain, psychologist Richard Smith, one of the world's foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit. Smith argues that schadenfreude is a natural human emotion, one worth taking a closer look at, as it reveals much about who we are as human beings. We have a passion for justice. Sometimes, schadenfreude can feel like getting one's revenge, when the suffering person has previously harmed us. But most of us are also motivated to feel good about ourselves, Smith notes, and look for ways to maintain a positive sense of self. One common way to do this is to compare ourselves to others and find areas where we are better. Similarly, the downfall of others--especially when they have seemed superior to us--can lead to a boost in our self-esteem, a lessening of feelings of inferiority. This is often at the root of schadenfreude. As the author points out, most instances of schadenfreude are harmless, on par with the pleasures of light gossip. Yet we must also be mindful that envy can motivate, without full awareness, the engineering of the misfortune we delight in. And envy-induced aggression can take us into dark territory indeed, as Smith shows as he examines the role of envy and schadenfreude in the Nazi persecution of the Jews. Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketball rivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 09/01/2014
ISBN: 9780199393718
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.80d
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4.1 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Durable
Color: S6-muti-color
The balls are great for chewers. The squeaky didn’t last long but they are perfect for the ball launcher.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
★★★★★ 4
The squeeker isn't durable, but the balls themselves are.
Color: S6-muti-color, Color: S6-muti-color
I have two 70+lb, ball obsessed dogs (a field bred Golden Retriever, and an Old Time Scotch Collie), and these balls are living up to the abuse they're receiving.
In the fall we always lose a ball or two in the yard due to getting lost in leaves or longer grass, so I always try and buy a multi pack at the start of the season, so went with these this year. I'm glad I did. Great price for a 6 pack, they fit the medium Chuck-It launcher (a little loosely, but they throw just fine), have great bounce, they FLOAT (which means I didn't lose any at the beach), and they're super durable to the dreaded "mouth squish." The squeaker dies pretty quick, like, within a day, but it isn't the kind that can fall out or choke your dog, so no worries there.
The boys are happy, I'm happy, my wallet is happy - I've already ordered another pack.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
★★★★★ 5
Good balls
Color: S6-glow
My dog is a chewer, and these have held up for close to a year actually a pretty good product
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
★★★★★ 3
Disappointed
Color: S6-muti-color
These were great for about 20 minutes then they stopped squeaking...we have 2 left that I have saved but the other 4 do not squeak anymore...disappointed as my dog loves to squeak things...would not buy these again...My dog is only an 8lb dog too...but he can still play with the balls without the squeak...
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Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Great Value for a ball my dog loves!
Color: S6-muti-color
I wish these ball were in the subscription program! My dog gets sooo excited by the new ball, but her interest in things lasts for a few days. She kills the squeak within 11minutes, but the squeaker stays in place rather than becoming a chocking or swallow hazard, and she still loves to chew it. Next, we must throw the ball approximately 723 times the first day, possibly 496 times on day 2, and just 3- 4 on day 3, at which point she will chase the ball before hollering "it's over here if you need it," while she checks on the chipmunk den. We currently have 17 of these balls in our yard (because we have given several leftovers to a less discriminating doodle next door). These balls hold up really well, get her extremely active for the first couple of days, and are a much cheaper than doggie daycare (after an active morning with a new ball, she is happy to chew on it and sleep much of the day). I always have these on hand!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2025