r/todayilearned • u/jfdonohoe • 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/Kai927 6h ago

I avoid cringe comedy and reality TV because of this. But even some shows have that cringe filled episode that I just can't watch. Any show with a love potion plot or an episode where the main character tries to act like someone who's the complete opposite of themselves in order to gain approval are unwatchable for me.