1. Schadenfreude Is A Big Part Of Our Everyday Lives
Schadenfreude is the German term for taking pleasure in others misery. You might think, "I'm a good person and I want to see people do well." Well, stop lying. I'm not suggesting that you constantly wish for people to die if they walk too slowly on the sidewalk (oh wait, thats just me), or that their bank account is hacked or that they are denied asylum from foreign nations because they expressed a public concern over a worrisome program. What I am suggesting is that you, at any given time, take enjoyment at other's failure. More often than not, it's in the vein of "justice." Think about a time you were playing a multiplayer game and someone, possibly new to the title, steals a perk from you, or stands in a doorway you're trying to get through, causing you to get shot in the face. You might get so angry that you toss a grenade at their feet when you see them huddled in a corner avoiding enemy fire. You might even scream "Good! I hope you die!" to their digital avatar as you watch them get swarmed by an onslaught of incoming ballistics. If you see that their kill/death numbers are in the negative, or they were denied a crucial piece of gear you become happy. Elated. Joyous. Evil? No, not evil. You were the one wronged, even if it was unintentional. They got what they deserved. Think about it in the car. If someone cuts you off, or swerves through traffic, you take great delight in watching them have to slam on their brakes, or see that no one is willing to let them into their required lane. You might take solace in the brown-noser at work who is still passed up for a promotion. Not only are you pleased but you are actively rooting for these people to fail, and guess what; they root for your downfall as well. All of this might seem a bit cynical, and even a bit jaded. Regardless of what rose-tinted glasses you decide you want to view the world through, there are some ugly truths that you will encounter along the way. By no means should you let them define what kind of person you are; just as you shouldn't let a video game dictate any substantial degree of your real life. You should be aware of these issues and be mentally capable of overcoming them. Hell, you've had all the training you need for it. Did we miss any invaluable life lessons taught to us by video games? Share your own thoughts below.