Schadenfreude
Mark Tully explores the psychology behind Schadenfreude and asks whether it can be good for us to enjoy the misfortune of others.
With concerns about increasing social inequality, some might argue that there is ever more fertile ground for Schadenfreude – a nineteenth century German expression coined to describe the joy we sometimes take in the failure or misfortune of others. It has been described as the worst human trait. However, some psychologists argue that it is an intrinsic part of our survival instinct.
In conversation with Dr Caroline Bowman, a leading researcher in this field, Mark Tully explores the pleasure we take in the discomfiture of both peers and rivals.
Readings and music range from Clive James and Robert Fulford to Spike Jones and Verdi.
The readers are Cyril Nri, Francis Cadder and Jane Whittenshaw.
Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for ±«Óătv Radio 4
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Music Played
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Jacob Gade
Tango Jalousie
- Danish Classical Favourites.
- Naxos.
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Amy Winehouse
Rehab
- Back To Black.
- Island.
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Spike Jones and His City Slickers
I Went To Your Wedding
- Musical Concepts.
- Mis-taken Music.
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Felix Mendelssohn
Dance of the Clowns
- Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Berlin Classics.
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Male Voice Choir
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
- Voices of the Valley Encore.
- Decca.
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Verdi
Falstaff, Act III Scene 2: “Pinch him and burn him” & “So the commonest rabble...”
Performer: Paul Daniel.- Verdi: Falstaff.
- Chandos.
Readings
Title: The Book Of My Enemy Has Been Remaindered Ěý
Author: Clive James
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Ěý
Title: The Social Treatise Leviathan
Author: Thomas Hobbes
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
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Title: My Rival
Author: Rudyard Kipling Ěý
Publisher: Wordsworth Poetry Library in The Works of Rudyard Kipling
Title: Schadenfreude: One of Life’s Guilty Pleasures
Author: Robert Fulford
Publisher: The National Post, November, 2003
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Broadcasts
- Sun 13 Sep 2015 06:05±«Óătv Radio 4
- Sun 13 Sep 2015 23:30±«Óătv Radio 4
- Sun 26 Jan 2020 06:05±«Óătv Radio 4
- Sun 26 Jan 2020 23:30±«Óătv Radio 4