Fremdschämen (external shame)

A fun German word I ran across that has no english translation. In fact it looks to be a recent addition to the German language, but does an outstanding job of expressing a very german feeling.

 Have you ever watched someone make a fool of themselves, only to find yourself cringing in embarrassment for them? Then you’ve most likely experienced fremdschämen. This German word is made up of two parts, with fremd meaning “foreign” and schämen meaning “to be embarrassed.” The term is typically used to describe someone who feels embarrassment on behalf of someone else. The corresponding noun for this feeling is Fremdscham.

Fremdschämen (pronounce: "Fremmd-Shamen") is the German word for the sentiment of joint embarassment. In the literal sense it means "external shame".

Use it in a sentence!Today's example was prompted by the Eurovision Song Contest, always a good opportunity to feel embarassed for others.

"Bereits nach den ersten Klängen des diesjährigen Beitrags von Großbritannien zum Eurovision Song Contest zuckte das Publikum innerlich zusammen. Ein europaweites Fremdschämen machte sich breit."

"Right after the first notes of Great Britain's contribution to this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the audience winced innerly. A feeling of Fremdschämen spread throughout Europe."  
Too harsh? You be the judge.

Enjoy!

If online security is complicated, then online privacy is imposible. The public is slowly learning the difference between these two topics. Unfortunate situations such as the infamous fappening has brought both of these topics to the attention of the cyber muggles.

Online security can be reduced to 1s and 0s algorithms and ciphers, there is a finite outcome when you are looking at crypto.  Math dose not lie, and we have the ability to create a secure cyber world.  Where security breaks down is the implementation.  Complicated software (open and proprietary), lack of proper vetting, and some times just laziness are a  few of the causes.

Online privacy on the other hand is much darker and deeper then anyone wants to admit.  From the government to politicians to the telco companies to advertisers, your privacy is a commodity that is sold, stolen, and bartered for.  Free google email is a perfect example.  If you sign up for email (which I have) you should understand that your email will probably be secure, but you are giving up privacy through google targeted marketing bots that crawl every email you get.

But there are groups looking out for the publics interests even if they didn't now they needed it.

• The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is an international non-profit digital rights group based in the United States.
• The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States."