"Schadenfreude” delves into the realm of incels, initially conceived as a critique but evolving into a deeper exploration of empathy. From going undercover as an incel myself in Discord servers, I witnessed extreme hatred towards anyone that wasn't a straight, white cis-gendered male and experienced great deals of threats, harassment and stereotyping each time I revealed I was a woman in these servers. However, through interacting with these lonely men, I discovered profound struggles of individuals grappling with mental illness and neurodivergence, driving them towards hateful online discourse and self-pitying cycles. Amidst this, I encountered a disturbing fascination within a niche community: men revelling in self-defence videos depicting women's vulnerability. Their enjoyment stemmed from witnessing impending harm inflicted upon these women, relishing in their helplessness. This revelation led me to explore the term "schadenfreude," encapsulating the pleasure derived from others' suffering. "Schadenfreude" confronts the complexities of empathy, grappling with the conflicting emotions of empathising with those who resist help and understanding the origins of hatred. It challenges us to confront our biases and extend empathy even to those who reject it.
