Whats in pain?

[Reinier]

Why do people like tragic books/music/movies/plays?

I like them too. but isn`t it weird in a way?

[JD77]

It is weird. I'm sure there's a scientific explanation, but I don't know what it is. I also want to know why society is so fascinated with crime. Every damn show on TV is about police or criminals or police chasing criminals. That seems odd to me, but I love watching those programs too.

[Praetorian]

escapemism.

[Y2A]

My life sucks, so its nice to see that other peoples lives suck too :)

[AdamGberg]

livin' vicariously...

[JustinASU]

In relation to tragic/depressing films/books/music... I think it's more along the lines of people can relate emotionally to certain situations portrayed in these types of media. It could almost serve as a vent for them or a way to create a bittersweet sense of nostalgia (sp).

[Gyno Rhino]

Most people live boring, mundane, uneventful lives.

To "feel" anything is a huge trip.

Go watch "Grave of the Fireflies". It will make you feel.

[Reinier]

Originally posted by Centaurion
escapemism.

its spelled escapism and I dont really think its the link

[Jeebus]

About the crime shows, and real life "accident" ****, it can be explained in one word. Morbid. People just cant get enough of other peoples suffering.

[hidethecookies]

its just because people are not used to crime so when you watch a mafia movie about people selling tons of heroin and wacking there grandmothers it raises curiosity which in turn raises the hormone higlysnicine which gives the brain a soothing affect, which causes you to watch the movie, similiar to a carb addiction

by the way, that all makes no sense becuase, well i just made it up lol

[SquareHead]

Dude is that why I love watching other people gettting arrested on cops?

[Reinier]

Originally posted by Gyno Rhino
Most people live boring, mundane, uneventful lives.

To "feel" anything is a huge trip.

Go watch "Grave of the Fireflies". It will make you feel.

this explanation sort of implies that people would still always prefer to enjoy happy art/entertainment

[Gyno Rhino]

Most people liked "Dumb and Dumber".

And also, watching someone else's life go to hell and back can make one feel better about their own life.

[Shane]

The struggle is part of it. I think thats part of the reason people have a fear of success. Once you achieve happiness what else is there really to do? If you cant learn to find another goal then you just kinda sit there and theres nothing interesting about that. Stories arent written about picture perfect situations because there is nothing interesting about it.

[Reinier]

Yes of course there has to be a struggle in a story. but some stories are just a downward spiral of hopeless crappyness.

[GIS]

Originally posted by Reinier
Yes of course there has to be a struggle in a story. but some stories are just a downward spiral of hopeless crappyness.

Such as Requim for a Dream. Everbody ended up in the ****ter and it makes the viewer feel like ****. I don't think people are 'morbid' and like to watch other people suffer. There's always a positive ending to most holywood stories. The protaonist usually overcomes the antagonist and lives happily ever after. In the show cops you get to see some dumb ass criminal get nailed and justice served. It all makes the viewer happy (in simple laymans terms).

Then there's romeo and Juliet or Requim for a Dream where everybody loses. I don't know too many people who come out of such a play/film thinking happy thoughts. Usually the person leaves the experience with feelings of sorrow and/or being greatful for what he/she has going for themselves.

I think it comes down to the human nature of resilliance and strength. Facing adversity and overcoming it is something everybody desires so living vicaroiusly through a fictional character who goes through adversity creates an emotional high.

[ectx]

It's cathartic. You experience the full range of emotion without actually going through the tragedy yourself.