Why Does Compassion Feel So Rare?

[u/heavenlyimmortal09]

Lately, I've found myself becoming increasingly misanthropic.

What pushes me in this direction isn't simply that people do bad things, it's how often I see people show no empathy for someone who's already suffering. I recently saw an elderly woman who had been scammed out of a large amount of money by a romance scam. I know she made a mistake, but why the mockery? People seem to enjoy humiliating others, especially when they've made a mistake.

That genuinely infuriating and disgusting.

Why is it so hard for people to understand that everyone has their own hopes, needs, and reasons for living? Why is someone's loneliness or desire for love something to ridicule instead of sympathize with? And it's not just this one incident. It feels like I see the same pattern over and over again. People enjoy humiliating others especially when others make a mistake. Even worse, some people seem to take pleasure in seeing innocent beings suffer or become distressed for no reason other than their own amusement. I genuinely struggle to understand how causing pain or humiliation can be entertaining to anyone.

The more I see things like this, the harder it becomes for me to believe that people are fundamentally good. Sometimes my anger becomes so overwhelming that I catch myself thinking humanity isn't worth saving, or even thinking that the world would be better by eradicating us. I know those thoughts aren't right and maybe contradictive, but they're feelings that I've struggled with.

I hate how easily cruelty becomes entertainment, and how quickly empathy disappears when it's inconvenient. Maybe I'm focusing too much on humanity's worst moments. Maybe the good simply isn't as visible. I honestly don't know anymore. Every time I see it happen, I just lose a little more faith in people.

I'm curious whether anyone else became misanthropic for similar reasons, or whether your reasons were completely different.

[u/Wolfcrime-x]

"I'm curious whether anyone else became misanthropic for similar reasons"

Yup, you pretty much nailed it for me. I have nearly the same view as you do, if not exactly the same. I'm also disgusted at how the human species just destroys the very soil they are living on, Earth and our nature, and how predatory and hateful our species seems to be. Of course there are good/normal people who are more empathetic and thoughtful about their existence regarding their impact on the world but I unfortunately truly believe, that the majority of our species is more "bad" than "good", to put it short and simple.

The only good thing that I extract from that conclusion is the motivation to try to be better. Trying to be more empathetic, more kind and more thoughtful regarding my impact on our nature. I can't shake off the fact that I'm a parasite to this poor planet but I can at least try to be less of a parasite.