Do I lack Compassion?

LegacyUser

Was thinking about this recently. Whenever there's a news story for example the Japanese Earthquake, Famine in Africa, Madeline McCann etc, my biggest reaction is apathy. It feels so far removed from my life that it doesn't really move me at all.

On the other hand, when something happens to someone I care about, a friend, family member etc, I do feel genuinely upset, so I'm not some kind of sociopath.

And strangly, sad movies, songs, books etc, about fictional characters do sometimes move me. But when it's an anonymous person on TV, I feel very little.

Am I alone in this one?

Webmonkey

Heinzketchup wrote: »

Was thinking about this recently. Whenever there's a news story for example the Japanese Earthquake, Famine in Africa, Madeline McCann etc, my biggest reaction is apathy. It feels so far removed from my life that it doesn't really move me at all.

On the other hand, when something happens to someone I care about, a friend, family member etc, I do feel genuinely upset, so I'm not some kind of sociopath.

And strangly, sad movies, songs, books etc, about fictional characters do sometimes move me. But when it's an anonymous person on TV, I feel very little.

Am I alone in this one?

No, I think it's quite normal really.

No. To be honest I think that 90% of the people who act all over-compassionate about these things are just putting it on.

Firetrap

No, I think you are perfectly normal. It could well be a human defence mechanism to stop us going postal. The most important thing is that you do feel empathy for the people you actually know. Books/films etc. are designed to catch you by the throat and tell you to Sob Now so it's not surprising that sometimes you take the bait.

Chuchoter

If people were distraught over every news event we'd all go insane. I generally am not very affected by things on the news, the earthquake was upsetting because I know quite a few people who live there or have family there.

LegacyUser

I agree. Disasters like tsunamis are far too huge for our brains to be able to process. I find I can only feel genuine sadness, as opposed to "that's terrible. Flick", to these disasters when they happen in places I've been to, otherwise ita hard to relate.

Stinicker

So long as disaster stays away from myself then I really don't give two hoots! I believe there is a herd mentality with emotion like this where people pretend to be all upset about these things to save face and avoid looking like a heartless person etc. when in reality we couldn't care so long as it doesn't effect ourselves.