Why is empathy becoming so rare, even though everyone wants to be understood?

[Anonymous]

[BarryLiverstone]

Sympathy is easier because people can mimic that behavior they see with others. Like watching a movie they see in a funeral scene that people look sad. So they may choose to try and be sad in that situation.


However empathy is a learned skill. It involves the risk of being vulnerable and allowing someone to truly feel how the other person feels and allow that to affect them. That’s scary for many people so they choose to stay detached and not form a stronger connection.


Does that make sense?

[Asker]

Thing is most don’t even sympathize😭

[BarryLiverstone]

Many sympathize but fail to communicate. Often when someone feels down they really want to vent or just tell someone who will listen. But if they refuse to even do that it’s in a way a rejection.

[Asker]

Trueee I just find it’s such of a funny phenomenon… how as you said, we want to vent and tell others things right and at the same time those same people aren’t ready to do that for others it’s like they can’t empathize once it’s their turn to be that person… It comes off very self-centred

[BarryLiverstone]

I feel you. It’s like everyone be fair as we have various energy and can be there for others when we needed support. I think you are right that it’s either lazy or selfish to not listen and ever feel others. It really helps when someone just feels validated and heard

[Effably]

One core reason is that empathy and sympathy, etymologically both mean from/with feeling and the only distinction is in their use.

Historically Sympathy is your ability to understand someone's emotions. Empathy is your ability to feel the same thing. More recently, those have been swapped a lot because many people seem fuzzy on which is which.

As for why we are worse at sharing feelings? My wager is overexposure. Every tv show is a drama and cry fest. Every newsarticle is a crime against humanity and not the funny card game.

People quickly grow jaded and callous when thrust into one extreme after another. Its adaptation. We also do not really have a society where most of us can afford the time to emotionally react to each thing that in truth deserves it.

[Agape93]

Because many aren't taught that, and some either never had it, or had it beaten out of them.

[Summeroflove]

I think most people have empathy even if it’s from their own perspective so it can be hard to fully put yourself in someone else’s shoes without being inside their brains but you can empathize with others.

Narcissists and other dark personalities unfortunately are becoming more common as well as they are coming out of hiding and being more overt. Some people are good at faking who they are

[Anonymous]

No. At least I have empathy. I think people just actively bury thier empathy now. I think the internet, social media, tik tok, and dating apps have made people ultra suspicious of eachother. I think people actively look for what they already believe that the he said, she said, nonsense online has taught them.

To show empathy for anything thing than whatever your motivation is is to show potential weakness.

[Chayce]

Because people have their own lives to deal with. it's like when Dave Chappelle said why he stopped smoking with black people.

"Every time I smoke with black people you guys always want to talk about your trials & tribulations. I'm smoking weed to get away from my problems not take on yours".

[Sal_Monella]

I just want to be left alone. Respect is good. Empathy is weakness.

[Asker]

How is it weakness?

[Sal_Monella]

By devoting too much emotion to them, which weakens your resolve. In a combat situation, it means two fighters are compromised.

[DrPepper12]

That's sad, pathetic & wrong sal. Avoid the conflict in the first place

[Asker]

@Sal_Monella That’s exactly why depression is taking so many men’s lives today. y'all are tought that showing emotion is weak, but it’s really not. And empathy isn’t weakness either... you’re only calling it weakness bc you know it takes strength lol. When you feel for someone, you’re giving them a safe space to be real with you. You’re not the one in the weaker spot, in fact, they are, because they trust you enough to open up.

[msc545]

It is not as popular as it used to be, thanks to Trump, who has no empathy.

[exitseven]

The world is a tough place.

[DrPepper12]

Cuz people can't communicate. Full stop 🛑

[jahaims]

Poor societal and cultural values

[SmokinAces2000]

Ignorance and bigotry

[Aldan1609]

Not enough patience

[CaptanHellams]

I think so too 👍