Is empathy a thing?

Saint_Ann

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I've seen several posters bandy the term about...one in particular...and then see them behave in a manner that makes me think their empathy has an I/O switch. I suppose it could be a nuisance having that thing running full time. Distracting to say the least.

Having my feelings broadcast over some ethereal radio waves to be detected by someone with special powers is disconcerting at best, or an invasion of privacy at worst.

What do they do with this information? Like that scene when Buckaroo Bonsai stops the song to ask if someone is crying. "Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean." Then says, "No matter where you go, there you are."

Which of course is super cool but does absolutely nothing to help Penny Pretty.

Does empathy pretty much do absolutely nothing?
 
Is empathy a thing?
It's narcissism at best.



Does empathy pretty much do absolutely nothing?
No, not pretty much. It does absolutely nothing except provide self gratification to the narcissist.
 
Is empathy a thing?
It's narcissism at best.



Does empathy pretty much do absolutely nothing?
No, not pretty much. It does absolutely nothing except provide self gratification to the narcissist.

So by nothing you mean something. got it. :)
 
Empathy (like forgiveness) is for you, not the other person. It helps you feel human and is there to help you prioritize your interactions with others. You can't really help everyone so God, nature, the universe or a cosmic randomizing generator prompts us to engage, or not.


Those traits referenced in your quote are adaptive and have personal and societal benefits as well. It really does take all kinds. It's helpful to notice who is which.
 
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I've seen several posters bandy the term about...one in particular...and then see them behave in a manner that makes me think their empathy has an I/O switch. I suppose it could be a nuisance having that thing running full time. Distracting to say the least.

Having my feelings broadcast over some ethereal radio waves to be detected by someone with special powers is disconcerting at best, or an invasion of privacy at worst.

What do they do with this information? Like that scene when Buckaroo Bonsai stops the song to ask if someone is crying. "Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean." Then says, "No matter where you go, there you are."

Which of course is super cool but does absolutely nothing to help Penny Pretty.

Does empathy pretty much do absolutely nothing?

Is empathy a thing?
It's narcissism at best.

Does empathy pretty much do absolutely nothing?
No, not pretty much. It does absolutely nothing except provide self gratification to the narcissist.

Good ones.
It's narcissistic for some
antisocial for others: "I'm only trolling them because they're not as empathetic as I am"
or both, as the OP implied

or of the Jacinda Adern type.
You got on the nerves of the Asian/Maori/Muslim communities with her "kiss a Muslim, wear a scarf, /This is not us" post-Brent Tarrant shows.
 
Empathy.

Understanding and entering into another's feelings or knowing how a person feels because you have been there or something similar.

A hard hearted person cannot or will not allow themselves to do this.

Just as a person can not have enough Empathy, a person can have too much which is almost as bad.

I have seen some cold Mother Fuckers in my time as well some so soft hearted you couldn't hardly stand to be around them.
 
Lack of empathy overlaps with socially awkward, a common condition of the TV/internet/gaming era. The covid shutdown may be increasing social awkwardness in kids.
 
I have a cognitive and emotional empathy for those who have never experienced a cup of Black Rifle Coffee, so I ritually serve it to all my friends who are so afflicted. I'm all about helping people achieve a better life experience. ;):D

I hate coffee. Pity me not.
 
I used to have a pet rabbit. It would run figure eights around my legs. Too much lettuce gives them the runs and can kill them. Karma?

I had one, years ago. It used to steal wine, then sexually harass the dog. He was a mean drunk. And a goddamn thief.
 
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