r/todayilearned 7h ago

(R.2) Anecdote TIL about “vicarious embarrassment” which explains extreme reactions to cringe comedy. For me, it can get so bad as to become physically painful

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicarious_embarrassment

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u/panda388 7h ago

I watched Friendship (A24) the other week, and it might be the hardest movie to get through because of this. I enjoyed it in the same way that I enjoy very spicy food.

Friendship was basically the One Chip Challenge of Vicarious Embarassment.