Is empathy the fundamental weakness to Western civilization?

[Anonymous]

[Levin]

Sure, I mean, that guy is why I don't really respect academia.

Firstly the guy has created a strawman. A world of two where he's a good guy, and the 'other' is some kind of boogerman with all the worst characteristics. A black and white world where the other is an evil capitalist. No nuance there. Not everybody who agrees with Elon is a multi-billionnaire. Where is his empathy for the 'other' in this case? And where is the empathy for those who are suffering under the consequences of his empathetic actions? Where is his empathy for the populations of Western countries who have to deal with the consequences firsthand of mass immigration. Of housing shortages, of people not being able to get on the housing ladder or being able to afford children. Of increased pressure on services. Of the sense of decay and fracture in society. Or the destruction of culture and high trust society that those a little older still remember. Or the empathy for those who have had their children gang raped or blown up at a concert.

Empathy has to be used in a right and measured way. It's similar to the archetypal differences between men and women. Each gender balances each other out with the best and worst aspects of ourselves. The guy said something about empathy being 'the ability to put yourself in other's shoes'. The problem with that, taken to an extreme, is you lose the ability to put yourself in your own shoes. If you just think about other people above yourself. It's similar in kind to being in a toxic relationship, where a woman gives up herself and is so empathetic towards a douchebag man who doesn't appreciate her. The Western world is in a similar kind of toxic relationship. The problem is if you're too kind without boundaries, then there will be invariably be people who take advantage of that. I hope we wake up and get our masculine values and self respect back.

Oh, and just to double down. That guy in that video is a moron. And it's a travesty that no doubt he has a decent wage under the 'evil capitalist system'...

[beefcakebradybatson]

MUCK FUSK !!! Lack of empathy is one of Fascism's first signs.

[northerngal]

Empathy is a strength not a weakness. Society needs more empathy and less hatred.

[BCRanger10]

I don't think so. Empathy and compassion are absolutely vital to social and cultural life. The problem is when decisions are made, money is spent, and votes are cast solely on that basis. Empathy is important, but it needs to be informed and guided.

[Pohjolan]

I'd say it's a feature. On one hand it is a weakness but on the other it makes it more appealing.

Or would you rather live in a cyberpunk dystopia?

[exitseven]

Elon Musk cares whether or not America goes bankrupt. So does President Trump and so do I.

[CrisboOx]

It's stupidity, not empathy.

[Cyrus000]

Suicidal Empathy is an issue like Gad Saad says

[SmokinAces2000]

Western civilization has empathy? News to me