Mike discusses with Dr. Marny Lishman, a Health & Community Psychologist, the phenomenon of feeling awkward while watching mishaps & gaffs at events like the Academy Awards.

Social media reactions to public mishaps reveal how viewers empathise with others’ embarrassing moments. This phenomenon, termed “Embarrassment-By-Proxy” or second-hand embarrassment, involves feeling the pain of someone else’s folly.

Dr Lishman explains that some situations become too uncomfortable to watch, leading viewers to turn away.

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