Why human beings often seem indifferent to mass suffering and death?
It's not because we lack empathy, but rather because our brains struggle to comprehend the magnitude of such tragedies.
This is called the "Telescope Effect".
Let's dive deeper ...
It's not because we lack empathy, but rather because our brains struggle to comprehend the magnitude of such tragedies.
This is called the "Telescope Effect".
Let's dive deeper ...
Our brains respond better when we focus on a single victim, rather than facing the overwhelming scale of mass suffering.
If only a few people were suffering, or if a single person were in pain, we would be far more likely to step forward and help.
If only a few people were suffering, or if a single person were in pain, we would be far more likely to step forward and help.
When faced with a tragedy, we don't feel exponentially sadder as the number of victims increases.
Twenty deaths may not make us twenty times sadder than one death, despite the magnitude of the tragedy being twenty times larger.
Twenty deaths may not make us twenty times sadder than one death, despite the magnitude of the tragedy being twenty times larger.
Our hidden brain struggles to viscerally comprehend the difference between a single death and mass casualties.
It's a cognitive challenge we face.
It's a cognitive challenge we face.
But here's where it gets even more intriguing
There's evidence suggesting that in many situations, we may even care less as the number of victims increases.
This seems counterintuitive.
Let's delve into it further ... 🕵️♂️
There's evidence suggesting that in many situations, we may even care less as the number of victims increases.
This seems counterintuitive.
Let's delve into it further ... 🕵️♂️
Here's a question for you:
Would they rather spend ten million dollars to save 10,000 lives from a disease that caused 15,000 deaths a year, or save 20,000 lives from a disease that killed 290,000 people a year?
Would they rather spend ten million dollars to save 10,000 lives from a disease that caused 15,000 deaths a year, or save 20,000 lives from a disease that killed 290,000 people a year?
Surprisingly, people were more hesitant to spend on the larger camp.
Our hidden brain prioritizes proportion over sheer numbers.
Our hidden brain prioritizes proportion over sheer numbers.
Our response to mass suffering reflects how we respond to most things in life.
We rely on instincts, emotions, and mental shortcuts.
Understanding these biases helps us strive for empathy and compassion that extends beyond our immediate circles.
We rely on instincts, emotions, and mental shortcuts.
Understanding these biases helps us strive for empathy and compassion that extends beyond our immediate circles.
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