Has the internet killed human compassion?

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by dozicusmaximus

It's only a matter of time before Wall-e or Idiocracy....

I dont think we'll get there. It may look like we're well on our way, but things are moving behind the scenes. As evidenced in the movie Idiocracy... its only takes one person with a brain to turn things around.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Relic

And yet a paradox exists... statistically speaking, we live in the safest, most secure time in human history.
How is it that we're losing our humanity, yet at the same time seemingly gaining it?

How is it that a man can gain the world, but lose his soul?


Ask 4000 year old philosophies.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

The internet is the simulated world!

Actually...IMO the Internet's neither simulated or pretend - it's there and it's real, but it's a simplified world. Look at forums like this one - all we have to express ourselves are words typed out on a screen. Sometimes I wonder if that's why people post some of the things that they do. When your entire ability to express thoughts and ideas is condensed down like that, you look for impact or attention in that way alone, no?

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Sgt. Rock

The Internet is a pretend world. Actions are what matter.

So if I spend 3 hours a day staring a pedophilia, I'm alright as long as I don't "act" on it?

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Relic

Actually...IMO the Internet's neither simulated or pretend - it's there and it's real, but it's a simplified world. Look at forums like this one - all we have to express ourselves are words typed out on a screen. Sometimes I wonder if that's why people post some of the things that they do. When your entire ability to express thoughts and ideas is condensed down like that, you look for impact or attention in that way alone, no?

It's also a world where you're alone in your bedroom. Therefore, the notion you're alone allows you to be transparent - doing things you wouldn't normally do, but still have the urge to do. A certain philosophy states that committing acts in our heart is the same thing as actively committing them. There is no difference. The internet reveals that. Reminds me of my friends who will surf pornography on a regular basis. It warps their psyche and suddenly women on the street are all objectified meat. They might not act on it ouvertly, but I'll tell you their wives are feeling the actions.


I think in a macro realm, compassion has increased. However, I know in a micro realm, there are less compassionate people. Sure, there are no brutal killings of those we feel no compassion for but just look at the influx of cyber bullying as the fact of the matter. Also, the brutal killings have moved somewhere else. The lack of compassion has merely shifted away from the illegal. If I lynched someone, I would die. 80 years ago in the south, I would have probably gotten off.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

This. I dont think the internet has killed compassion, but it has made it easier for jerks to voice their stupid comments.
IMO, technology has grown at a rate that has surpassed the human intellect. When people catch up, the internet will mostly be used for its true purpose, the sharing of the intellect, and less so for funny cat videos.

It's also made it so that those who are passionate and compassionate can come together and do great things. Despite their generally bad rap some seriously Disney-esque efforts have come out of 4chan and Reddit alike.

[JAUQO III-X]

It is what it is.

People hide behind screen names while showing their true colors.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

It's also a world where you're alone in your bedroom. Therefore, the notion you're alone allows you to be transparent - doing things you wouldn't normally do, but still have the urge to do. A certain philosophy states that committing acts in our heart is the same thing as actively committing them. There is no difference. The internet reveals that. Reminds me of my friends who will surf pornography on a regular basis. It warps their psyche and suddenly women on the street are all objectified meat. They might not act on it ouvertly, but I'll tell you their wives are feeling the actions.

That's an interesting thought. I think that it does bring out some traits/urges that we would normally keep hidden, but I do disagree with the notion that "to think it is to do it" sorta thing. I enjoy "shooting" games from time to time, but I would have a hell of a time actually shooting someone, know what I mean? But yeah, if a person IS capable of that, I can absolutely certainly see them gravitating towards it. Sort of a chicken vs the egg thing.

Originally Posted by michael_atw

I think in a macro realm, compassion has increased. However, I know in a micro realm, there are less compassionate people. Sure, there are no brutal killings of those we feel no compassion for but just look at the influx of cyber bullying as the fact of the matter. Also, the brutal killings have moved somewhere else.

Good point.

[LarryO]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

It is what it is.

People hide behind screen names while showing their true colors.

but on the plus side, you can browse the internet while wearing a backpack and no one will try to search your bag.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Relic

That's an interesting thought. I think that it does bring out some traits/urges that we would normally keep hidden, but I do disagree with the notion that "to think it is to do it" sorta thing. I enjoy "shooting" games from time to time, but I would have a hell of a time actually shooting someone, know what I mean? But yeah, if a person IS capable of that, I can absolutely certainly see them gravitating towards it. Sort of a chicken vs the egg thing.

No, the "think is to do" doesn't apply there. You're not thinking about shooting a person - you're playing a game. Now, if you started to drive around town on Thursday nights imagining what it would be like to kill someone...that's the point. Imagining what it would be like to cut up your landlord and stuff him into bags...that's it.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

It's also made it so that those who are passionate and compassionate can come together and do great things. Despite their generally bad rap some seriously Disney-esque efforts have come out of 4chan and Reddit alike.

http://jezebel.com/5842172/reddits-p...rn-of-jailbait

Might be a TB'ers daughter on there. *although, they use the term pedophilia in the article incorrectly*

For every good thing, there are 2 bad things. I hate to be a cynic (I'm not all cynic) but I have enough experience with the human condition.

[Sgt. Rock]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

So if I spend 3 hours a day staring a pedophilia, I'm alright as long as I don't "act" on it?

The demand for a material is harmful when the production of the material itself causes harm.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

http://jezebel.com/5842172/reddits-p...rn-of-jailbait

Might be a TB'ers daughter on there. *although, they use the term pedophilia in the article incorrectly*

For every good thing, there are 2 bad things. I hate to be a cynic (I'm not all cynic) but I have enough experience with the human condition.

But how much of your experience could you attribute to the media's tendency to really play up the bad stuff and barely give the good a mention? Something to think about perhaps.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

For every good thing, there are 2 bad things.

I don't think thats a legitimate claim. If one chooses to focus on the negatives then this might be there perspective. However, if a person chooses to focus on the positives, it could just as easily be said that there are two good things for every one bad.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I don't think thats a legitimate claim. If one chooses to focus on the negatives then this might be there perspective. However, if a person chooses to focus on the positives, it could just as easily be said that there are two good things for every one bad.

Indeed I do choose to focus on negatives to examine appropriately. I'd rather build up from the ground than fall from the sky.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

But how much of your experience could you attribute to the media's tendency to really play up the bad stuff and barely give the good a mention? Something to think about perhaps.

Most of my experience is apart from media. Far apart. They arrive from the stories of friends, experiences with family, and the like. I'm not referencing media but real-world experience.

[Strat-Mangler]

Unfortunately, the Internet prevents people from seeing the effect of their actions on others.

Face-to-face, you can clearly see when you've angered or upset somebody but you cannot online.

Knowing how humans actually are, I don't think it'd stop most people from hurting others. Some would probably even enjoy spewing upsetting things at those people even more.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

Indeed I do choose to focus on negatives to examine appropriately. I'd rather build up from the ground than fall from the sky.

One can focus on the positives and still build from the ground up with realistic expectations. I dont think the statement "I'd rather build up from the ground than fall from the sky" is applicable to positive/negative outlooks.