Are you familiar with the German word “schadenfreude?” It’s notoriously untranslatable because no other language has word for enjoying the suffering of others.
Then again, us Americans have reality show television. But we certainly saw this concept in action Sunday at the Indianapolis 500.
J.R. Hildebrand took the lead in the Indy 500 into the last turn when the rookie driver made a huge mistake. (You’ll hear the announcer say “he’s this close to winning the Indy 500”) In an attempt to pass, Hildebrand went and smashed into the wall.
He lost a wheel, and lost the race in a split second. The 2005 champion, Dan Wheldon then took the lead and the checkered flag.