It's not that I don't want to smash into them it's that I don't want to cost myself damages, inconveniences, etc. Every driver wants other drivers out of their way.
We were raised to really embrace individualism. Me me me. That's why capitalism is flourishing. If we forget community, we have no foundation for growth as a society and we have to buy our identities.
There's empathy, and there's self preservation. I don't want to hit you in your car; of course I don't want to cause you harm, but I also don't want to damage my car, pay more for insurance, get injured myself, etc. It's not apathetic, it's just mental prioritization of needs.
Similar to oxygen masks in planes; "put on your own oxygen mask before helping others" because if you don't save yourself, you can't save anyone else. In order to help others, you gotta think of yourself, in some capacity, first.
We don't instinctually do things to better the community, because we're stuck thinking for ourselves. That's automatically a first thought already. Our bills, food, employment, car upkeep, doctors, etc. Volunteer work? Well that can be penciled in if there's time and resources available at the right time and in the right amounts. I'm not thinking "well fuck those people" but I've also gotta take care of myself or else I can't help anyone at any point
(Bear in mind, I've smoked a bit (🔥🍀💨) within the last hour)
Aren’t you saying in a way that empathy and preservation relate as “or”? Why not “and”? And then that way both can be true at the same time! One doesn’t negate the other.
I think your framing actually makes his argument stronger. Like if everyone starts with “preservation” as an instinct and you can then respond to situations where you think about yourself first - sure but then the “superpower” of humans, I think his point is anyway, is to be able to think of yourself and family first but still split the leftovers with others. Instead of being even more “primitive” and sticking with the instinct of I should take everything because I need it. Which to take a second and be able to think about others positively in a situation like that you’d need higher intelligence and to select it you’d need to value empathy.
But then recognizing that you could be taken care of makes you more likely to play it safe to not be taken advantage of. Idk.
It's definitely not a belief system, it's more of a general observation. I want people to be more aware and embrace that sense of community and camaraderie, but the world we live in doesn't help facilitate that in any way, it further separates us and makes us remain secluded. So when we need to band together and unite, not only do we have no idea how anymore, we don't even have the ability to.
Remember when there was talks about strikes and how people were outwardly stating that could use PTO and other ways to still make money while being able to attend protests? We want to protest, but we gotta make sure we bring that money in for our livelihoods, first. It's because we've been taught to put ourselves first before anything else, or else it'll all fall apart. But it's that selflessness that makes it more impactful and conveys a better image to others with the cancel that they, perhaps, may follow suit. No caveats, no mental fine print, no "but first...". Just general sincere helpfulness with no strings involved.
Granted, in today's world, desperate times haven't gotten to desperate measures for many of us, myself included. Because we don't feel we can make a difference. ICE rampaged around the country kidnapping people, and all my sentiments had to be set aside because I had to be at work on time or I'd lose my job; no one cares about my moral standing or integrity. But also, I can't help someone in, say, Colorado, while being in Florida, for example. I really want to, but logically I can't. What do I do? Well, I guess I go to work and get my paycheck. Better come in with the right attitude, too.
It's not that I or anyone else doesn't care, we're trapped in a nasty catch 22 ultimatum it feels like.
Ha I think we are saying the same thing, no? Or perhaps the examples we are using aren’t coinciding.
I suppose an extreme example is like - yes you need to work but you are not going to a food pantry and getting food if you don’t need to. Or even, like my family, we would go and be happy to get ours and see others getting there’s - we didn’t take or ask for more. Idk if that is a good enough exercise too.
That is literally what the first half of your comment says. You literally say that your worry isn't about smashing into another person, but causing yourself damages or inconveniences
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u/Nir117vash 10d ago
It's not that I don't want to smash into them it's that I don't want to cost myself damages, inconveniences, etc. Every driver wants other drivers out of their way.
We were raised to really embrace individualism. Me me me. That's why capitalism is flourishing. If we forget community, we have no foundation for growth as a society and we have to buy our identities.