I think a big part of it is that we root for the underdog because we see ourselves in them. If they can do it, there’s hope for the rest of us. But once they become too successful, they start feeling out of reach. Suddenly, it’s not “I can do that too,” it’s “Wait… I can’t do that.” And that’s when the tearing down starts—bringing them back to our level so we don’t feel inadequate.
I think the same thing happens with redemption stories. They remind us that we’re all flawed, we all have our struggles, but if they can come back from it, then maybe we can too.
I listened to Steven Bartlett's DOAC episode with Robert Greene this week and he brought that point of envy as being a natural tendency that we have. We may try fight it but it would only lead to more misery, and so the solution is to channel that energy into productive action and possibly reframing that initial envy into inspiration or competition.
It is a shame that so many bear the brunt of people's inability to see others win as if it is their fault for being a human. I really do like your breakdown on the reasons why this happens and this post was informative in reflection and learning more about our tendencies.
My question to you is: Will this phenomenon become more or less prevalent do you think? Social media wires us already to be comparison freaks, there is a wellness movement where people are learning to love themselves more, and the relevance of tabloids continues to diminish meaning that as a central voice, people are more inclined to look beneath the surface of these stories.
Thanks Malick, I think the more people realise Life's not a zero sum game, the more we can all thrive. Nobody else has to lose so I can win.
Envy is a natural reaction to others success, but after the instinctual jealousy kicks in I think the more human emotion of being happy for someone takes over, but maybe that's me.
If I see that you won the lottery I wouldn't hate you for it, I'd be happy for you, I'd still be envious though 🤣
Sadly I think the internet will make this almost impossible, communication is easier than ever, it's made the world smaller than it's ever been, I don't have to live in the same town, city or even country as the person I root for and then vilify.
I think Donald Trump is the perfect example of the cycle, people thought he was the underdog, voted him in, then voted him out and the cycle continued, I didn't include that in the main post so specifically because I honestly don't follow politics but it's truer than ever that you can't turn on a screen and not see reference to him in some way.
I think a big part of it is that we root for the underdog because we see ourselves in them. If they can do it, there’s hope for the rest of us. But once they become too successful, they start feeling out of reach. Suddenly, it’s not “I can do that too,” it’s “Wait… I can’t do that.” And that’s when the tearing down starts—bringing them back to our level so we don’t feel inadequate.
I think the same thing happens with redemption stories. They remind us that we’re all flawed, we all have our struggles, but if they can come back from it, then maybe we can too.
Exactly, we see other people as holding a mirror up to ourselves, sometimes the reflection is favourable, sometimes it’s not.
I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you 🙏
Thanks Phil 👍
I listened to Steven Bartlett's DOAC episode with Robert Greene this week and he brought that point of envy as being a natural tendency that we have. We may try fight it but it would only lead to more misery, and so the solution is to channel that energy into productive action and possibly reframing that initial envy into inspiration or competition.
It is a shame that so many bear the brunt of people's inability to see others win as if it is their fault for being a human. I really do like your breakdown on the reasons why this happens and this post was informative in reflection and learning more about our tendencies.
My question to you is: Will this phenomenon become more or less prevalent do you think? Social media wires us already to be comparison freaks, there is a wellness movement where people are learning to love themselves more, and the relevance of tabloids continues to diminish meaning that as a central voice, people are more inclined to look beneath the surface of these stories.
Thanks Malick, I think the more people realise Life's not a zero sum game, the more we can all thrive. Nobody else has to lose so I can win.
Envy is a natural reaction to others success, but after the instinctual jealousy kicks in I think the more human emotion of being happy for someone takes over, but maybe that's me.
If I see that you won the lottery I wouldn't hate you for it, I'd be happy for you, I'd still be envious though 🤣
Sadly I think the internet will make this almost impossible, communication is easier than ever, it's made the world smaller than it's ever been, I don't have to live in the same town, city or even country as the person I root for and then vilify.
I think Donald Trump is the perfect example of the cycle, people thought he was the underdog, voted him in, then voted him out and the cycle continued, I didn't include that in the main post so specifically because I honestly don't follow politics but it's truer than ever that you can't turn on a screen and not see reference to him in some way.