Why I Like The Underdog

It’s a classic human trait. Whether it’s rooting for a scrappy startup, a sports team with zero wins, or a movie protagonist who is constantly getting kicked while they’re down, we are biologically and psychologically wired to lean toward the “little guy.”
Here is why your brain finds the underdog so irresistible:

  1. The “Schadenfreude” Safety Net
    When a favorite (the “top dog”) wins, it’s expected. When they lose, it feels like a shock. But with an underdog, there is zero risk. If they lose, it’s what was “supposed” to happen. If they win, you experience a massive burst of dopamine because you witnessed a rare, high-reward event.
  2. The Mirror Effect (Identification)
    Deep down, most of us don’t feel like the undisputed champions of the world every day. We feel the friction of taxes, bosses, and daily hurdles.
  • The Elite: Represent the status quo or the “system.”
  • The Underdog: Represents us.
    By rooting for them, you are symbolically rooting for your own ability to overcome obstacles.


Justice and Fairness
We have an innate sense of “distributive justice.” If one side has all the resources, money, and talent, it feels “unfair.” Supporting the underdog is a psychological way of trying to balance the scales. We want to believe that effort and heart can beat privilege and power.
The Mathematical “Wow” Factor

In physics and statistics, we are fascinated by outliers. The underdog winning is a statistical anomaly. Following them is like watching a glitch in the matrix—it’s more entertaining than the predictable outcome.

“The underdog’s victory is the ultimate proof that the world isn’t entirely rigged.”

Parasocial Replacements: Why “Real People” Often Get Ignored

I’n not a big fan of AI, when it comes to treating it as a person or having a human like relationship with it, but I have been doing a lot of research with AI, regarding topics that interest me and that makes me go hmmm! I also like it, because instead of receiving thousands of pages when I do a search, AI summarizes things for me, which is great, with the little alone time that I get SOMETIMES!, but I am aware that I can’t really fully on it, because… IT IS AI!

So I was doing a small research as to why so many people who use social media platforms, are not interested in reading or viewing what real people post about real life, they just enjoy all the bullshit and nonsense that so called “influencers” throw at them.

So this is what I got from AI, when I as the question, which helped me get a lot of information and understanding, in a short read.

In 2026, social media users are moving away from passive scrolling and toward intentional discovery and vulnerability. While entertainment remains a core draw, the focus has shifted from “perfection” to “real-world” substance. 

What People Are Most Interested In

  • Authentic Storytelling: Users are increasingly drawn to “raw, unedited yap videos,” behind-the-scenes content, and real-life wins and struggles rather than polished, “perfect” feeds.
  • Educational Substance: Social platforms like TikTok and Instagram are being used as search engines for tutorials, product comparisons, and “how-to” advice, with TikTok and YouTube search now often bypassing traditional search engines for Gen Z.
  • Niche Communities: There is a surge in interest for smaller, private spaces like Discord servers, WhatsApp Channels, and Instagram Broadcast Channels where interaction feels more intimate and exclusive.
  • Meaningful Value: Content that teaches, inspires, or supports mental well-being (e.g., “cozy” vibes and burnout recovery) is performing better than “addictive” filler. 

Why “Real People” Often Get Ignored

It is not necessarily that people aren’t interested in real connections, but rather that several digital barriers make these interactions difficult to sustain:

  • Algorithm Interference: Modern social media has transitioned to “interest media,” where algorithms feed users what they want to see rather than content from people they actually follow. This means posts about personal “life and causes” often don’t reach a broad audience unless they hit specific viral interest markers.
  • Digital Fatigue: Many users manage conversations across multiple platforms daily, leading to digital burnout. They often seek “emotionally lighter” or “positive and welcoming” interactions as a coping mechanism, sometimes avoiding heavy or demanding topics like complex personal causes.
  • Parasocial Replacements: People often invest in “faux-relationships” with influencers or AI virtual agents, which provide a sense of connection without the mutual care and investment required in real-world relationships.
  • Search for Convenience: Digital interactions are often chosen because they are simpler and require less emotional energy than physical meetings. Real-world gatherings are increasingly scrutinized to see if they justify the time, travel, and effort over a digital alternative. 

Taking My Crazy Meds

Keeping It Real

Good morning, happy Friday and TGIF to all my fellow crazies.

This is what a real person looks like in the morning, when they are getting ready to go to work.

No stupid ass filters required, because I like to keep it real.

If Only

Good morning and happy Thursday to my fellow crazies.

If only people knew, what suffering from anxiety disorders their entire life feels like, even while taking crazy meds and seeing a shrink every month… Just saying.

Thinking out loud

When it comes to my Harm OCD, my life has not been easy, starting from when I was a scared child, thinking that I was going to hurt myself or others. Too scared to tell the adults in my life, what was going through my mind, because I thought they would see me as crazy child and lock me up.

Every day Life With My Mental Health

Good morning to all my fellow crazies. Some people might think, that living and dealing everyday of my life with #HarmOCD, #Bipolar, #Depression, #GAD, #Sobriety and #CrazyMeds is easy, but sometimes it’s not, because is like riding a rollercoaster. But the sure thing is, that I am open about it and I don’t let them stop me from working full-time, being a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor and co-worker, who tries to be there 100%… 100% of the time. Take care of your #MentalHealth first, so you can take care and be there for those who matter to you the most.