Schadenfreude, the intriguing emotion of deriving pleasure from the misfortune of others, is surprisingly common. While it may seem unkind or even vindictive, if you’ve ever felt guilty for the satisfaction you gain when someone stumbles, remember it’s a natural human response.
This emotion stems from complex processes that have developed in our brains over millions of years.
Humans are fundamentally social beings, often described by scientists as “hypersocial.” We are perpetually attuned to other people’s opinions, our relationships, and, crucially, our social status within various hierarchies.
Understanding social status is key. We possess an innate awareness of social hierarchies and our position within them. On a subconscious level, we desire to be liked, respected, and recognized, influencing our actions and motivations significantly.
However, social status is subjective and relative. One way to elevate your status is to witness someone else’s decline. When an individual suffers a setback that causes them to lose esteem, it can create a satisfying boost to your own status without any effort on your part—hence, schadenfreude.
It’s important to note that this feeling doesn’t arise every time someone fails. Typically, it must be proportional; it’s rarely pleasurable when an innocent person faces misfortune, even if they hold a higher status.
This reaction ties back to another inherent bias in the human psyche: the “just world” hypothesis. We naturally believe that the world is fair, even in the face of contrary evidence. Our brains gravitate towards fairness and justice just as they do towards elevated social standing.
Therefore, when someone perceived as unfairly privileged faces setbacks, it creates a potent mix of satisfaction and equity for us, making the experience of schadenfreude almost irresistible.
For those captivated by extraterrestrial news, if you’re an avid reader of New Scientist, you might be aware of recent discoveries hinting at life’s potential on distant planets. Perhaps you’ve heard about a Mars rover uncovering signs of ancient life in uniquely patterned rock or recalled that moment last year when an asteroid appeared to threaten Earth.
While these cosmic revelations are undoubtedly thrilling, they often quickly dissolve into distant echoes, overshadowed by pressing global matters like conflicts and climate crises. The chance of alien microbes emitting gases from a planet trillions of kilometers away may ignite your imagination for a fleeting moment, but what real significance do these cosmic findings hold for our lives on Earth?
Climate historian Dagomar DeGroot argues that our fascination with the cosmos has profoundly shaped human history in his new book, Ripples in the Cosmic Ocean: How the Solar System Shaped Human History – and Might Save the Planet.
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Venus’ runaway greenhouse effect prompts the question: could Earth face a similar fate? “
Although DeGroot may not be a scientist, he represents a new generation of interdisciplinary historians, serving as an environmental historian at Georgetown University.
His book delves into how shifts in the cosmic environment have influenced human events, drawing from archives of renowned and obscure scientists alike to construct a detailed narrative of scientific advancement. DeGroot argues for the need to observe our surroundings with a cosmic lens: “We cannot deny the existence of the ocean, both because its waves reach us without us seeking them, and because only by gazing into the abyss can we truly comprehend our isolated island.”
Our understanding of Earth’s climate, past ice ages, and potential global warming would be drastically diminished without our planetary neighbors illuminating the night sky. Recognizing the challenges posed by existential threats such as nuclear conflict and catastrophic asteroid impacts is crucial. Furthermore, we could find ourselves embroiled in theological disputes over heliocentrism.
DeGroot highlights the impactful influence a single planet can possess. For instance, Venus is depicted as a hostile environment with temperatures soaring above 460 degrees Celsius and active volcanoes releasing sulfur dioxide.
This perception has evolved. Initially, astronomers faced difficulties in observing Venus due to its dense atmosphere, yet by the 19th century, many agreed on the existence of cloud cover.
This misinformation fueled speculation about a habitable world under its clouds, significantly contributing to the rise of cosmic pluralism—the idea that Earth is not the sole cradle of life.
As our observational equipment improved and the harsh reality of Venus was unveiled, urgent questions emerged: Is this a warning for Earth’s future?
Understanding Venus’ extreme temperatures caused by a runaway greenhouse effect raises concern about the possibility for Earth to face a similar crisis. Numerous scientists, including astronomer Carl Sagan and climatologist James Hansen, dedicated their careers to studying Venus, which in turn sparked serious warnings about climate change on Earth.
DeGroot’s book overflows with instances like these, illustrating how Martian dust storms have compelled scientists to consider the ramifications of nuclear conflict. In 1994, the spectacle of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 colliding with Jupiter emphasized the urgency of defending Earth against similar threats.
Ripples in the Cosmic Ocean captivates readers with its exploration of lesser-known tales in the history of scientific ideas, showcasing peculiar and vibrant figures. One such figure is Immanuel Velikovsky, an American-Russian psychoanalyst whose peculiar theories about Venus generated intriguing predictions but also controversy within the scientific community from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Ripples in the Cosmic Ocean
DeGroot compellingly makes the case for looking beyond our world, yet he admits that navigating future space exploration and observations presents challenges. We now live in a time of remarkable space exploration, notably advanced by billionaire-funded companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.
He argues for an alternative approach that avoids exploiting space solely for affluent interests. Historically, colonial powers exploited knowledge for empire expansion. In a refreshing perspective, DeGroot suggests that we should foster life on Earth and cultivate “a vision of the ocean that creates and sustains communities in the cosmos for the collective benefit of all.”
One of his innovative ideas involves generating solar power from space, such as deploying solar panels on the moon to transmit energy back to Earth. Although the feasibility of such projects remains debatable, DeGroot underscores the necessity of choosing a path forward. Drawing from our solar system’s historical influence, he states, “Humanity’s journey has been partly driven by ripples in the cosmic ocean. Regardless of our actions, new waves will approach. Now, we hold the power to create our own waves. Our future may hinge on how we choose to shape those waves.”
3 Must-Read Books on the Solar System
Pale Blue DotA Vision of Humanity’s Future in Space Carl Sagan Astronomer Carl Sagan explores the significance of our solar system in shaping human understanding and our place in the universe in this evocative meditation.
Space War H.G. Wells This classic features prominently in DeGroot’s book (see main review), recounting the famous radio adaptation that led to widespread panic among listeners who believed Earth was truly under Martian threat.
Mars City Kelly Weinersmith & Zach Weinersmith
This dynamic duo, a cartoonist and biologist, explores the harsh realities of life on Mars through scientific facts and beautiful illustrations, revealing the challenges of living beyond Earth.
Feedback is the latest science and technology news of new scientists, the sidelines of the latest science and technology news. You can email Feedback@newscientist.com to send items you believe readers can be fascinated by feedback.
Toy trouble
Feedback may be middle-aged, but while it makes the dotage persist, we are not ashamed to admit that we enjoy playing with Lego. So we were naturally intrigued to learn about the “set” released on March 1st.Stem evolution” (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
Builds are a treasure trove of stem-related objects. An apple tree with a DNA double helix, a space shuttle and an Isaac Newton stood nervously beneath it. They all erupt from the pages of a public book, accompanied by minifigures of chemist Marie Scowdowska Curie and agricultural scientist George Washington Carver.
It has a slightly confusing appearance, but it has deeper issues, Reddit thread Flagged us by news editor Jacob Aron; At least one reviewer. It’s very simple: DNA is the wrong way. Many biological chemicals are either left or right-handed, and in terrestrial life, DNA is always right-handed, while LEGO’s DNA molecules are left-handed.
Feedback suggested that despite what experts say, we should go ahead and build a mirror organism where important molecules have a dominant hand that is opposite to existing lives. But then we saw it Jay’s Brick Blog He had already made that statement in their reviews.
Instead, we invite paleontologists around the world to find something wrong Meter long T. Rex Skeleton Kit Lego was released on March 15th. We need to stop buying it.
The thoughts that took part?
The specific tired inevitability has led many large energy companies to rewind their commitment to renewable energy, which prefers to chase immediate profits from fossil fuels.
In late February, BP announced it Boost Oil and gas investments increased by around 20%, cutting renewable energy funds by more than $5 billion. It says this is to maximize shareholder returns. Alas, the company’s net profit was only $8.9 billion in 2024. Ah, how their hands were tied up.
On the day this announcement was made, the story was presented in the UK BBC News Homepage – One headline: “Half of Homes will need a heat pump by 2040,” the government said. Feedback briefly joined some points in our added mind. It reminds me that it’s okay. People in suits know what they’re doing.
In RephraseFuturamaPhilip J. Fry: The feedback is shocking. shock! Well, I wasn’t so shocked.
The whole saga begins to wonder whether “corporate strategy” is an equal contradiction with “military information.” In the early 2000s, BP reformed from “British oil” to “beyond oil” and began to show its intention to embrace renewable energy. Then, after the cost of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, it abandoned everything and brought its focus back to fossil fuels. Fast forward to 2020 and to the company announcement A new target raft for renewable energy – many of them are now I’m getting far away Due to this recent decline in funding.
If the feedback is indecisive, it will be hard to decide how to wrap this around.
Crunch the numbers
Reporter Michael Le Page draws our attention Journal of Geek Studies. Despite its (somewhat) formal sound name, it is not peer-reviewed, but it publishes “an original contribution that combines academic topics with nerds.”
For readers unfamiliar with what a rancor is, it is a large reptile-like monster located underground in Jabba, the Palace of Hat Jedi ReturnLuke Skywalker fights. Another Lancer appeared in the 2021 series Boba Fett’s bookBut the less said about it, the better.
Authors Thomas Clements and Stephan Lautenschlager are trying to understand one key moment Jedi Return. To avoid eating, Luke picks up the long bones, lodges vertically to Lancer’s mouth, and opens his jaw. However, Luke’s reprieve is temporary, and Lancer is biting so hard that he smashes his bones into two.
Is this viable? The pair simulates the muscles and bones of Rancor’s jaw, and estimates that they could bite with the force of around 44,000 Newtons. “It allows you to snap large, long bones vertically.” Reassuring, “The bite power of living vertebrates does not approach rancor,” the great white shark and salted crocodile show off 16,000 to 18,000 Newtons.
During his journalistic career, feedback was repeatedly told by his editors, and repeatedly told to write stories that led to practical advice and “news that can be used.” Well, it’s here. Reader: Every time you challenge the crocodile territory, have one or two femurs just in case.
Have you talked about feedback?
You can send stories to feedback by email at feedback@newscientist.com. Include your home address. This week and past feedback can be found on our website.
“I’m a boring guy,” says Mike Erwin, an energy management consultant based in Warrington. “My friends think it’s crazy how much I use Microsoft Excel, but it’s a very useful tool.”
Erwin, 56, has been using Excel to organize his life for years, from mapping his finances to plotting medical test results to monitoring his home’s energy usage. When his son was born in 2007, he created a spreadsheet of his feeding schedule.
“We were recording the feeding time and the amount of milk, and calculating when we could fall asleep.” None of this data was very helpful, “but then I felt better.” added Erwin.
Still, he’s an evangelist about Excel. “I have charts from 10 years ago,” he says. “Some of my friends have Mickeys, and now they’re starting to use them to plan their vacations.”
Erwin is one of dozens of people who responded to an online call for loveExcel has celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Many people have found uses for the software that were probably not intended by the developers.
“I grew up with it,” says John Severn, 35, Mansfield’s marketing director. “When I was 11, I couldn’t afford Warhammer models, so I wrote the names of the models in Excel and printed them out and did elf-dwarf battles on the cheap.”
John Severn playing a board game (not generated by Excel). Photo: Guardian Community
Mr. Severn’s innovations puzzled some opponents. The Warhammer tabletop game is meant to be played with intricately painted models rather than a labeled grid.
“The children of my mother’s wealthy friends weren’t very keen,” he says. “They had spent a lot of money getting some beautifully painted models and they were laying them out on a table with landscapes. And what I brought in was basically a square piece of paper. .”
Although Severn has graduated from being a model soldier, he still plays Warhammer. “I still don’t like drawing.”
For Lucy, 41, Excel proved useful in a long-distance relationship when her partner moved from London to Macclesfield in 2010.
“I love Excel,” she says. “I devised a spreadsheet to track trains and fares. I lived in London and traveled every weekend in shifts for 18 months. We split the cost so that higher income earners pay proportionately more.”
Lucy admits how “unromantic” this sounds. But “this is very convenient and we are more inclined to share money. Now we have children and we have bought a house. Excel is working with the administrator on this matter. They supported me.”
Excel played a role in helping London civil servant Luke name his two sons. “My wife and I were talking about baby names, and at one point we pasted the list of names into a spreadsheet called Names for Baby V.1.xlsx.”
He shared the spreadsheet with his office in hopes that his colleagues would find inspiration. “I remember there was a good push for Frederick and Maximilian, and Optimus Prime and Herodotus were also added,” he says. “The Russian wife liked Igor and Ivan.''
Luke and his wife ultimately did not accept his colleague’s idea at all. But I created a separate spreadsheet for my younger son. “His name came from a suggestion from a colleague I met at a drinking party at work. But it also tested very well with Names for Baby V.2.xlsx,” he added.
Nick Owen of Lincoln took that enthusiasm a step further by featuring Excel as the centerpiece of his 2019 wedding.
“We wanted to get as many friends together as possible and we managed to get 250 people together,” says Owen, 68. Since there were so many guests, he decided to appoint seven talented men to help plan the day.
Nick Owen wedding t-shirt. His spreadsheet is printed on the back. Photo: Guardian Community
“I call them the ‘Magnificent Seven,’ and they each had a different role.” These jobs include rings, meals, speeches, and drinks. “I diligently created a spreadsheet of what everyone had done that day with little crosses in cells for each hour.I went through all of this with them the night before. “There was some resistance,” he says.
“It was April in Cumbria and the weather was poor for a few weeks leading up to the wedding day. But miraculously the clouds parted, the sun shone and my wedding spreadsheet worked. ”
To remember that day, Owen printed T-shirts for his men. “They had a picture of Yul Brynner.” [from the Magnificent Seven film] It has a photo of my spreadsheet on the front and on the back. ”
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