Baz, what you may be hunting for is that these events are likely just a gentler form of schadenfreude.

only "observers" see (what they think is) karma........ to the victim, it is at worst really bad luck.

And bad luck, happens every day to otherwise very good people, as well.

Example, and tell me how you call this one:

Small town, married guy with a wife and son. Guy is a complete dick to everyone or a smarmy brown nose to those he cannot bully. His son, a high school teenager, has a bad experience with a chick at school. Depressed, he hangs himself from a tree in front of his parents house. His mother, a teacher, comes home and finds him.

No one in town likes this douche bag.......... but not a soul thinks what happened to his son and wife is "karma" on him..........

This is an example of a situation fitting the phrase: "I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy".

Gretch......thanks for your post.

As I understand the definition of schadenfreude:
"pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune."

I know you said "a gentler form of schadenfreude" - but trust me.....as hard as it may be to believe.....in no way am I deriving any pleasure from anyone's misfortune. Not even a little bit. I'm more of an analyst or observer. Maybe even philosopher at times. I find stuff like this more interesting than anything necessary for my ego.

FWIW....I'm in a really good place in my life right now. Sure, I face plenty of challenges every day. But for me that's a good thing. No such thing as problems....just opportunities. I tend to be optimistic. Glass of water half full. The reason I mention all this is to try and put into context why I hold no ill will towards those who I feel are pricks. I've observed over the years that there's a bigger force than me in charge and because of this there's no upside in me hating on anyone. The only exception is those who seek to harm the innocents. Children and animals. When I see this happening - it really pisses me off to no end and those people can rot in hell as far as I'm concerned.

That old saying "what goes around comes around" seems to pretty much apply much the same as Karma.

"I hold no ill will towards those who I feel are pricks. I've observed over the years that there's a bigger force than me in charge and because of this there's no upside in me hating on anyone. The only exception is those who seek to harm the innocents."

I agree that hating is a waste of energy, because there is nothing constructive going on with just a "feeling".

And everyone's list of "innocents" is dependent upon their status in the world. For example some might find the damage politicians do to society to be harming innocents........... that makes them a legitimate target for hate, according to your formula.

Also, I am not so sure that there is anything wrong with a bit of schadenfreude....... as long as it is not "demonstrative", what is the harm in smiling knowingly when some ******* takes one in the chops?

It probably serves a purpose but I try not to go in that direction myself. Hasn't always been that way but I'm 66 and still dialing it in as I ease into my golden years. :p