The Loss of Empathy
Stop intentionally being an asshat just because you can
Empathy.
While I believe its existence has been trampled on by the loudest, most magnified voices, social media have given empathy a solid boot in the ass. The continued sense of anonymity has emboldened some people to favor hate over support.
Maybe it’s my ADHD, but I’ve never understood trolling or intentional joy over shitting on other people. (I also don't understand vicious pranks, but that's for another blog). I have never started a comment with hateful rhetoric, though I will push back if specifically targeted. I am also too old at 50 to let their ridiculous commentary get under my skin.
On Threads, I post my '3 Things", which cover thoughts I'm having that day. Usually, they can cover things I talk about my life. As I continued, these things revolved into supportive messages to help lift up the people in my communities.
And while I have shifted to adding politics lately, it's written in the same way: building up, confirming their fears and showing the people in those communities that they aren't alone. It's strange to me how my words and images-especially my daily sprites- have been so well received, as if they haven't experienced such understanding and support online.
I don't think I'm doing anything special, but I forget sometimes that the reason I created these motivational posts for me, to fill an emptiness from my childhood.That these thoughts resonate so intently shows me that I'm not alone either.
Empathy runs deeply on the quiet parts of society and social media. It just needs to be cultivated in our existence, the lives we touch, and those moments we don't even think about.
Because for you, it maybe a Tuesday, but for someone else, it may be the sign they need to keep going.
Thanks for reading.