The schadenfreude monoid
Nov. 10th, 2016 08:35 amAs I wrote earlier, closed systems with established feedback loops can be modeled as monoids because everything can be reduced to a number. Particularly, in a zero-sum game, one can figure out the number from observing gains and losses of the other side.
When it comes to new developments, it's a typical mistake to confuse close- and open-loop systems. Therefore, when people experience schadenfreude in open-loop systems it means that they are prone to poor judgement because they assume that a) it's a zero-sum game and b) their own gain can be measured by the other side's psychological losses.
Beware of people who publicly demonstrate schadenfreude under conditions of uncertainty. They are not only mean spirited but also tend to be poor decision makers. Unless you value their specific skill in an unrelated area, try to avoid them as much as possible.
upd: Consider it a lifehack. It might even be the first ever lifehack described in terms of Category Theory :) I should probably write out a formal proof for that.
When it comes to new developments, it's a typical mistake to confuse close- and open-loop systems. Therefore, when people experience schadenfreude in open-loop systems it means that they are prone to poor judgement because they assume that a) it's a zero-sum game and b) their own gain can be measured by the other side's psychological losses.
Beware of people who publicly demonstrate schadenfreude under conditions of uncertainty. They are not only mean spirited but also tend to be poor decision makers. Unless you value their specific skill in an unrelated area, try to avoid them as much as possible.
upd: Consider it a lifehack. It might even be the first ever lifehack described in terms of Category Theory :) I should probably write out a formal proof for that.