Why is being negative / complaining fun?

Lets face it, for a good number of people, Accentuate the Negative and watching about So Bad Its Horrible moments is fun. Why do you think people watch The Nostalgia Critic or Zero Punctuation ?

I admit I was having alot of fun reading all the Wall Banger sections, and am watching Botchamania now.

So I'm just curious, do we know why sometimes reading/watching horrible failures is so much fun for some?

Just guessing - complaining is easier for a lot of people. Being constructive is more difficult. It is always easier to destroy than to create.

True, but I'm not saying "Why does everyone complain" so much as...why is it fun?

You're doing it. Tell us why you think it's "fun". I can't explain, because I personally don't think it is.

Not everyone seems to think it is. I personally do. There's just something satisfying about bitching and moaning. It's easy. I get to complain about something that is bothering me. Why sometimes I even get the added bonus of bothering people around me! Whether it annoys them or hurts their feelings it's all good because I am an easily satisfied sadist. I am satisfied by many sorts of pain and even simple annoyance pleases me. Also I get to "destroy" or "attack" something that I have deemed a "foe". AND MY FOES MUST BE BROUGHT BEFORE ME AND MADE TO SUFFER.

But then I calm down and feel like a jackass. If I ended up hurting or annoying someone during my fit I feel even worse and guilt the ever living hell out of myself and seek to apologize. So really it's only fun during the act.

We can sum this up as "I get a psychosexual thrill from it, especially if it's upsetting people around me".

edited 31st Aug '11 12:02:59 PM by Aondeug

Hrm...well I think its educational to learn from mistakes (I'm having alot of fun watching Botchamania right now, but I'm aware its not all that is involved with wrestling.) Same with Retspurae. Is it a little mean spirited? Sure, no one likes being told they are bad, but I dont think it means people can't improve.

Hell, maybe its just schadenfreude? Its kind of why I made this thread, to see if people can put it in better words than I, I suck at putting my thoughts out.

I'm starting to realize I think I'm mixing up "Watching things that make fun of moments that do suck" and "Complaining about things."

edited 31st Aug '11 12:03:30 PM by Thorn14

Oh watching things that point out that things suck in a humorous fashion?

Oh boy. I do love that too. Poking fun, teasing, insulting...This is the golden trio of humor. Oh and making light of things. That's great too.

Again it's satisfying and easy to tear things apart without being constructive. There's just something delightful about unleashing a wave of bile on something you think is stupid or inferior.

Because humans can be quite fucked up. It's in our psychology. Enemies? Crappy stuff? FUCK IT LET'S BREAK IT. Aww yeah .

Or maybe you're doing it in a joking and non-serious fashion. Being over the top is fun because it's a release and an expending of emotion. WHOO CHEMICALS IN BRAIN MAKES THINGS FUN :D.

Now if you're laughing at yourself and doing this to yourself, but still have a positive enough self view then I consider you to be enlightened.

I laugh and bash myself all the time. If I was wittier I'd be making fun of how effing vague I just made this thread

I mean I dont think its all that bad. I mean look at those two titanic animated movies...They DESERVE to be bashed to hell and back!

Other shit too...

Emotions. They're contagious. Humans have quite the pack mentality at times. If someone's having fun and tearing something apart chances are you'll be joining in with them at least on an emotional level. This effect is generally greater if the person is in the room with you. The more people in on it the more cohesive and hard to break it is.

Even if you're going "Well this isn't good..." chances are you won't stop in many cases. Group psychology's a bitch.

This is key for many things...Theatre more or less thrives off the emotion feedback thing for example. Also. VIOLENCE.

Mmm. Violence.

edited 31st Aug '11 12:13:43 PM by Aondeug

Aondeug nailed it pretty well.

I think Pride plays a factor, too.

Complaining is fun because giving opinions is fun, and complaining about stuff makes us feel like we are better then that thing, or that we know better than to like that thing (compare the feeling you get when you find out you like something everyone hates to the feeling you get when you hate something everyone likes.)

Also, would this relate to the similar question, "Why is trolling fun?"

The answer to that question is simple Jimmy. I already sort of described it.

Sadism.

It's easier to make jokes when you're insulting something, and hating things that are popular often comes across as the individual being intellectual about the medium/topic, at least when done with grace. Calling a show shit isn't funny or smart, but dissecting every aspect of it and calling it all shit on reasonable merits is.

As for why people like bad things, well, just read So Bad Its Funny. It has a certain unintended charm that makes it hilarious.

@Aon: Sadism or schadenfreude?

In my case it's certainly sadism.

Maybe a bit of catharsis too.

Bashing rather than appreciating makes you feel better about you own mistakes and failures, since you subconsciouly find the funny side of what happened to you.

Because they're just jealous.

edited 31st Aug '11 6:03:06 PM by mailedbypostman

haters gonna hate.

I don't like to complain but I'm rather negative so, cynicism I guess?

I'd say it's fun for the same reason setting stuff on fire is.

edited 31st Aug '11 6:14:00 PM by MarkVonLewis

It's fun because it's cathartic really. You get to let all that negativity and logic out. I mean holing up your opinions on something you don't like, something bad, or something you know is illogical can drive you crazy. the release is what makes it great.

I actually don't like complaining all that much because, for one thing, it's not in my nature to really hate things as much as get annoyed with them. Also, for me, complaining is less about venting than trying to figure out why something annoys me as much as it does, and sometimes it can take a while for me to figure out what to say.

That said, for some reason, I find it really entertaining to hear other people complain about stuff. I guess it's why I find myself drawn to reading OTC so much even though I know I'll get annoyed eventually. It's also why I like TGWTG, though I have to admit I'm liking the more subtle reviewers more these days.

Because it's common ground with people. You get to say to people "Didn't that episode of X show suck?" or "Isn't the weather terrible, it's so hot!" or "Man, I hate those chemistry lectures" and they say "Yeah, I know!"

And then you can bond for a while over your shared annoyance.

People have a natural habbit of complaining.

While I personally would like it if people also see the goodness of the moment (especilly those who complain about rain, the bringer of life), a complaint is needed to note what can be improved.

@OP: because if you never try you can never fail.