A page from The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why by Amanda Ripley
I guess it’s not exactly surprising, but it seems to explain a lot of things I’m witnessing in my later adulthood. I’ve always felt deeply impressed by selfless heroes, but I never really pondered the profile of heroism.
Even that is too strong, imo. The vast majority of empathy lacking conservatives are themselves dirt poor, and on the plate of another.
But it still hurts to think about how bad others might have it, especially when you’re so beat down by life that you are barely making it by yourself, so they buy into an easier answer, “the other”.
I hope empathy has a place in this conversation too!