I enjoy a nice dose of schadenfreude as much as the next man, but come on...

[JTG of the PRB]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude

Ah, schadenfreude... Taking pleasure from someone else's misfortune. Most people might not admit it, but we all enjoy it every now and then. It's like a dirty little secret we keep to ourselves sometimes, something that makes us smile on the inside (or, unless you're being rather overt, on the outside).

Tonight, I'm enjoying a little schadenfreude at the expense of the Patriots and their fans. You have my apologies, my New England friends. It is the nature of my humanity that, at least at a small level, I have enjoyed your defeat at the hands of the New York Giants. I apologize for what I celebrate, but not the fact that I celebrate it.

I've seen a lot of overt schadenfreude tonight, and there's nothing wrong with a little bit of that every now and then. The amount I'm seeing tonight, however, is a little surprising. I see badmouthing from both sides, from fans of both teams (though, given the circumstances, it's coming more heavily from Giants supporters). We can't really blame anybody, because we might all do it given the right circumstances and the right amount of pressure. We are all passionate people, and we get passionate about the things we love, whether it be politics, football, or whether or not abbreviations count in Scrabble.

They don't.

As I admitted, I'm enjoying this a little bit. It's not because I hate the Patriots or wish ill of them. I just enjoy a good underdog story. The Broncos of 10 years ago were an underdog to the Packers, and they won their first championship. It's a good feeling to see the team that nobody thinks can win pull off the "impossible." At times in our lives, we're all the underdog. It ALWAYS feels good when we can do the impossible.

Also, the Red Sox kind of beat my Rockies in the World Series, so you've already had your joy for the year. Spread the love! :evilgrin:

To my friends here who cheered as the Giants defeat the Patriots: Congratulations! The Giants had a hell of a game, they played their hearts out, and they've proven they are the best team in the NFL. That was probably the biggest upset I've ever seen in ANY sport, and you should be proud. The Giants were the better team tonight, and they played like it.

To my friends who watched their beloved Patriots fall short of pro football history: Congratulations to you too! The Patriots had an amazing season, and some absolutely brilliant individual performances. It's unfortunate that the Patriots were denied a perfect 19-0 season and another championship, but they were outplayed tonight. As good as the Patriots were, they just weren't good enough tonight. Perfection is a monumentally difficult task, as we saw tonight, and sometimes it just doesn't work out.

The Giants are a great team. They proved it tonight. The Patriots are also a great team. They proved it all season. The better team on the field won tonight. It's as simple as that.

Enjoy the victory, Giants fans. Remember that you still have a great team, Patriots fans. There's always next year, for BOTH of your teams.

If you're feeling some schadenfreude tonight, by all means enjoy it. Just remember - it's still only a game, and those other people are people too. They're passionate, they're emotional, and sometimes they go overboard. We all do it. Nobody is immune, and nobody is free of it. It's all human nature.

In short, just have fun. I had fun tonight watching the game with my friends. I hope you all did too, no matter who you rooted for.

Just remember, joy can be short-lived. Next year, I'm afraid none of you Patriots and Giants fans will be feeling joy at this time of year.

Denver Broncos, Super Bowl XLIII champions. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!!!










:hide:

[Droopy]

1. You know, I love a good underdog story, too

And I also felt like rubbing it in a little tonight. Fortunately, my better nature took control. When I was a boy the Cincinnati Bengals were my team and they were good back then. But I watched them go to two Super Bowls and lose. I was a huge sports fan back then and those losses really hurt. I imagine that there are some Patriots fans here that feel the way about their team that I felt about the Bengals. It would have really made me sad and angry if someone would have rubbed those losses in my face and I think some people here tonight are probably feeling that way.

[JTG of the PRB]

2. I know how it goes. I've been there.

That's how I felt in 2002 when the Avalanche lost to the Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals. THAT sucked. I felt the same way about the Rockies losing the World Series last October. It was fun and exciting to see them get there, but it hurt to sort of get gloated at by some people I didn't even know. It's never much fun.

I'll always be a fan of the underdog, almost regardless of who it is.

[pokerfan]

3. What's the point

of winning if you aren't allowed to revel in the pain and displeasure of your opponent?

[JTG of the PRB]

4. I never once said that's now allowed.

I believe I did, in fact, admit I enjoyed the victory for the Giants as much as I enjoyed the loss for the Patriots.

However, there's a point where schadenfreude ends and sadism begins. One has to be careful not to stray away from the former by pushing into the latter. There's at least one person I've seen tonight that has gone into full blown sadism, and it's sickening.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. 'In your face' is tasteless, classless bullshit

practiced by the most vile of human excrement.

No one who does it will ever be a friend of mine.

[Chovexani]

9. Agreed

As much as I hate Tom Brady, and the way the media was treating the Giants like they were just a speed bump on the way to the Pats perfect season, I am far more excited and happy for the Giants than I am glad the Pats lost.

Honestly I feel more schadenfreude towards Tiki Barber right now. :rofl:

[petronius]

6. I've always thought the trash talk should stop when the game ended

Revel in the joy of winning, congratulate your opponents for the things they did well, and show a bit of respect and courtesy for the people who are where you don't want to be...

By the way, you mispelled "Buffalo Bills" in your last line. :)

[Redstone]

7. Hey, I'm a New Englander, and I'm not upset that the Patriots lost. It's a GAME.

Redstone

[Fire Walk With Me]

8. Friends in sadness... It has a different definition to me.