On Being Human

Bear with me, I have a lot on my mind.

redcross.org

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8003830

http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/idiots-of-facebook-weigh-in-on-the-japanese-...

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• japan
• redcross
• earthquake

[IHaveFlagella]

I've heard/read a lot of "Pearl Harbour karma" comments too. I'm just so shocked that people can even THINK that. It makes me so... angry. And trying to tell them why they're wrong is pointless, they won't even listen. They think it's some kind of joke and it disgusts me.

[missduni]

@IHaveFlagella no remorse. that's the worst thing for a person to not have.

[BaubleRob]

About Japan, I don't think humans are programmed to feel that much empathy. Especially for people they've not met. We have this inbuilt barrier, which is understandable I think given how our species evolved, in little family groups. Rather than get down about how other people fail to be nice, I just feel good when I see people stretching beyond what's usual, like you just did.

[missduni]

@BaubleRob thanks, your comment made me feel really good. i do believe we can have empathy, its just almost a talent these days you have to develop. i feel that society is making it very relaxed to not have to care about something on another continent.

[threatmantic]

Thank you so much for this video. I feel the same way and I know there are a lot of people out there that do also. I also saw a bunch of comments about Pearl Harbor and stuff about how Japan kills whales so they deserve it. I'm not much of a cryer but when I saw the destruction in Japan and saw people's reactions I actually cried for the first time in a long time. It was just a pent up feeling of loss of compassion among the human race. It is so sad.

[missduni]

@threatmantic I hope you're doing better now. I'm feeling a little bit better but I feel like my ear is always against the radio listening for the newest info.

[Capgungoesbang]

This was such a great video, you've said everything I've been thinking. People astonish me more and more every day, the way they act and treat each other. It's comforting though to know there are still people that think the way we do, we have empathy. Things like what happened Japan are clearly signs to try to wake up the world. As far donations go, wealthy people who choose to spend millions of dollars on a fucking summer house but can't help their own kind out? i don't understand it.

[Jannabelle126]

I hope your brain feels less stress soon...and your heart. It's impossible to imagine what they're going through. I'm thankful to know people who actually give a shit about them. Big hugs. :(

[Nannigan]

Ugh Michelle, I feel the same way.

I've pretty much lost faith in the human race, and I haven't even been around that long, I'm only 17! I always find myself asking where is the compassion? The connectedness? Then I realize that I haven't been alive to see a time when those things were even in action, it was decades and decades ago when those morals seemed to be held true. It's sad, just sad.

[breathead]

For me one real application of "turn the other cheek" is to continue to be compassionate and to cultivate sensitivity without losing hope or being angered by the insensitivity of others, anonymous or not.

[BaubleRob]

@missduni Yeah, people are like that, but I don't think it's society making us that way. I think people have always been like that. My grandma still can't conceive why it might have been wrong to nuke the Japanese in the 40s, because she was 15 at the time and totally shielded from their suffering. Then Vietnam happened and for the first time we saw uncensored images from the front line. The same limits on our empathy exist, but I think we're getting much better. So I'm optimistic.

[bearchay889]

@missduni Yeah that is I can see limiting it a bit so you don't get desensitized to it but not watching at all is irresponsible.

[missduni]

@bearchay889 i actually read someone on facebook today admitting they haven't been paying attention to the news on purpose. now what does that serve? that is in my opinion, very irresponsible.

[missduni]

@Beachapeeater i don't want to believe there are people like that out in the world, but there are. it is strange isn't it? I wish i could just have a day or a week in their life to see how someone could reach these ideas and thoughts.

[missduni]

@chennlo it hurts, doesn't it? I mean, thinking of people going through life with such a narrow view of their surroundings. I feel the same way. I daily battle not dropping down to the level of people that injure me. sometimes i really want to go to someone's page on youtube after they leave an ugly comment and leave them one, but...i don't. that turning the other cheek thing kinda smarts sometimes.