No question we live in a self-absorbed, if not full blown narcissistic, society. It seems most people do nothing unless it somehow centers around them or is in some way self-serving.
Often, people appear to be apathetic and indifferent toward what is taking place in their community or society as a whole. Not only do they seem unconcerned about the world around them but for individuals including those people they know personally.
If it doesn't directly affect them (or even sometimes if it does), they could not care less.
In a nutshell a lack of empathy causes this.
Many in our society simply will not or, perhaps, cannot place themselves in other people's shoes. This, what should be a common human trait, is what allows people to be compassionate and prevents them from being cruel or pitiless.
Now, I am quite positive people will pushback on my assertion. They will say, "I care about other people. It makes me feel bad when people have something tragic happen. It's makes me sad when I have to walk around the homeless on the street."
It is fine they feel "bad". What they are expressing is sympathy and that is terrific.
But, what I am talking about is empathy. I am talking about the ability to do more than feel bad and move on, but to want to see those homeless folks' circumstances change. I am talking about the ability to embrace people and provide them some comfort after a traumatic event without making it about you. And, the ability to do that with not only those in your inner circle but people generally.
In the example I used above, which is a pretty common statement, notice that it was in actuality all about them. Something tragic happening to others made them feel bad. They felt sadness because they had to walk around the homeless. I am going to guess the homeless feel even worse because... they are homeless!
The absence of empathy seems most apparent, perhaps, in any proposed public policy that would help people or right wrongs. For example, Medicare for all. Now, look, if you think it would be too costly or cumbersome we can have that conversation. But, the fact is millions of Americans don't have healthcare.
The current system, Obamacare, has several deficiencies but is certainly better than what we previously had, which was nothing. Millions of Americans have healthcare because of Obamacare. However, there is a concerted effort to repeal Obamacare with no actual replacement in place, which means millions of Americans would be without healthcare.
For a swath of folks in this country that is just fine. They have healthcare so they aren't too concerned with those who don't. That is an awful attitude and is caused by a basic lack of empathy.
Another example is the southern border situation. If you are someone who feels or says we can't take in all these migrants, again, we can have that discussion. But, to demonize and dehumanize these folks is wrong. It is abhorrent to belittle their plights. Quite frankly, it is immoral to pass judgment on these people for bringing their children with them when it is well established fact they are fleeing situations where they are persecuted, terrorized and raped.
It would seem that empathy would kick in. I don't, nor do I personally know anyone, who has endured such hardship. But, I can imagine how I would feel if I were in that position. I know that I would most definitely bring my children with me on the dangerous trek for a chance at peace and happiness. I sure as hell wouldn't leave them behind in a situation where they're being persecuted, starved and raped. I mean, for the love of God, that is just commonsense. And, it's common human decency to understand that. Yet, many people don't understand it or don't care because they possess little to no empathy.
As I go through life daily, it amazes and depresses me how many folks I am surrounded by who really just don't care about anyone other than themselves and maybe a minute amount of people they deem worthy of their inner circle. In fact, in an apparent effort to justify their lack of empathy they are quick to blame people for those people's adverse circumstances. It should be noted rarely does that assertion of victim blaming ever extend to them when they are the victim.
I am not saying everyone should be a "bleeding heart", but exhibiting common empathy should not be a chore. Empathy is the barrier between humans being, well, human and being barbaric. It provides us the ability to make sound rational decisions. It gives us prospective.
But, the truth is our current society isn't nearly as benevolent and caring as we purport it to be. We are not what we would like to think we are.
Our society is pretty self-absorbed, which actually is a cause for the tribalism. Not only do we not see things from others perspective we don't want to see it. If it isn't something that directly effects us, we don't care. It's not our problem.
Look, it can be summed up like this. Societal attitude is if we have not experienced it nor are currently living it, it doesn't exist. It is irrelevant if it is someone else's reality. If it's not mine, it's not real.
That is quintessentially empathy being absent.
www.facebook.com/robbase2110
www.twitter.com/robbase2110
www.instagram.com/robbase2110
www.patreon.com/robeasley
robbase2110@gmail.com
Often, people appear to be apathetic and indifferent toward what is taking place in their community or society as a whole. Not only do they seem unconcerned about the world around them but for individuals including those people they know personally.
If it doesn't directly affect them (or even sometimes if it does), they could not care less.
In a nutshell a lack of empathy causes this.
Many in our society simply will not or, perhaps, cannot place themselves in other people's shoes. This, what should be a common human trait, is what allows people to be compassionate and prevents them from being cruel or pitiless.
Now, I am quite positive people will pushback on my assertion. They will say, "I care about other people. It makes me feel bad when people have something tragic happen. It's makes me sad when I have to walk around the homeless on the street."
It is fine they feel "bad". What they are expressing is sympathy and that is terrific.
But, what I am talking about is empathy. I am talking about the ability to do more than feel bad and move on, but to want to see those homeless folks' circumstances change. I am talking about the ability to embrace people and provide them some comfort after a traumatic event without making it about you. And, the ability to do that with not only those in your inner circle but people generally.
In the example I used above, which is a pretty common statement, notice that it was in actuality all about them. Something tragic happening to others made them feel bad. They felt sadness because they had to walk around the homeless. I am going to guess the homeless feel even worse because... they are homeless!
The absence of empathy seems most apparent, perhaps, in any proposed public policy that would help people or right wrongs. For example, Medicare for all. Now, look, if you think it would be too costly or cumbersome we can have that conversation. But, the fact is millions of Americans don't have healthcare.
The current system, Obamacare, has several deficiencies but is certainly better than what we previously had, which was nothing. Millions of Americans have healthcare because of Obamacare. However, there is a concerted effort to repeal Obamacare with no actual replacement in place, which means millions of Americans would be without healthcare.
For a swath of folks in this country that is just fine. They have healthcare so they aren't too concerned with those who don't. That is an awful attitude and is caused by a basic lack of empathy.
Another example is the southern border situation. If you are someone who feels or says we can't take in all these migrants, again, we can have that discussion. But, to demonize and dehumanize these folks is wrong. It is abhorrent to belittle their plights. Quite frankly, it is immoral to pass judgment on these people for bringing their children with them when it is well established fact they are fleeing situations where they are persecuted, terrorized and raped.
It would seem that empathy would kick in. I don't, nor do I personally know anyone, who has endured such hardship. But, I can imagine how I would feel if I were in that position. I know that I would most definitely bring my children with me on the dangerous trek for a chance at peace and happiness. I sure as hell wouldn't leave them behind in a situation where they're being persecuted, starved and raped. I mean, for the love of God, that is just commonsense. And, it's common human decency to understand that. Yet, many people don't understand it or don't care because they possess little to no empathy.
As I go through life daily, it amazes and depresses me how many folks I am surrounded by who really just don't care about anyone other than themselves and maybe a minute amount of people they deem worthy of their inner circle. In fact, in an apparent effort to justify their lack of empathy they are quick to blame people for those people's adverse circumstances. It should be noted rarely does that assertion of victim blaming ever extend to them when they are the victim.
I am not saying everyone should be a "bleeding heart", but exhibiting common empathy should not be a chore. Empathy is the barrier between humans being, well, human and being barbaric. It provides us the ability to make sound rational decisions. It gives us prospective.
But, the truth is our current society isn't nearly as benevolent and caring as we purport it to be. We are not what we would like to think we are.
Our society is pretty self-absorbed, which actually is a cause for the tribalism. Not only do we not see things from others perspective we don't want to see it. If it isn't something that directly effects us, we don't care. It's not our problem.
Look, it can be summed up like this. Societal attitude is if we have not experienced it nor are currently living it, it doesn't exist. It is irrelevant if it is someone else's reality. If it's not mine, it's not real.
That is quintessentially empathy being absent.
www.facebook.com/robbase2110
www.twitter.com/robbase2110
www.instagram.com/robbase2110
www.patreon.com/robeasley
robbase2110@gmail.com
