My dad claims that schadenfreude (the joy taken from someones misfortunes) originated in the 1960s, and that television and other sources of media feed on this concept. He claims it has transformed our society since then, and this is why we make fun of and tease our friends and family. He says that everyone is brainwashed by this modern concept of teasing your friends because of movies like "Bad Teacher" and "Bridesmaids" (BTW my dad watches alot of Glenn Beck, an american social commentator who claims that the world is "dumbing down" among other conspiracy theories)
MY argument is that this specific art of humor (although low-brow) has been around before then, and people poke fun of each other because it is a natural response to an inferiority complex. That this act was not just glamorized by the modern sitcom, but that it existed before the mid 20th century.
Although, everyone in the world may not feel inferior to their friends, is it just a natural human emotion to feel the need to cut down on your friends or was this manufactured by our modern society?
Who is on the right track?
MY argument is that this specific art of humor (although low-brow) has been around before then, and people poke fun of each other because it is a natural response to an inferiority complex. That this act was not just glamorized by the modern sitcom, but that it existed before the mid 20th century.
Although, everyone in the world may not feel inferior to their friends, is it just a natural human emotion to feel the need to cut down on your friends or was this manufactured by our modern society?
Who is on the right track?