Think You Know What’s Killing Empathy? Think Again
Learn about the surprising culprit behind empathy’s decline
Empathy. Not a small word, of course.
But it feels like one that, through the years, has seemed to slowly dwindle down. I wish I can say I’ve always possessed this, that instinctively I knew empathy and how it could be used precisely, but that’s something I couldn’t say too.
It’s something learned through hundreds of experiences — it’s the moments of being confused, misunderstood, in pain.
But I want to tell you of one such experience that threw this issue into a nearly primal light.
And this chasm, that between the minds was something empathy could bridge itself over were we just to let it.
When I Lost Empathy
It started with a boring conversation one would assume the memories wouldn’t hold any meaning by the end of it. I was trying to discuss issues on social media and listened to an opinion that felt open, valid, and respectful.
What I got back was a wall: the cold, hostile reaction slapped me in the face. The person not only was dismissing me but was also being defensive almost protectively about a threat that never happened, one I’d never even conceived of bringing…
