re: #119 researchok

You would be surprised at how many people lack real sensitivity. In fact, that is a problem that has increased exponentially.

People don’t think they are being insensitive- we all want to see ourselves in the best light possible- but in fact we have a society and group become more detached from ‘the other’, That detachment enables the ‘bad behavior’ which is different from the ‘hurting’ you were talking about. That ‘hurting’ is far less common. What you described I would refer to as bad behavior, a less cruel thing. Hurting really requires a more intimate relationship as well as a deliberate desire to hurt as opposed to simply lashing out. For example, if I may, I thought your response to me was more ‘bad behavior’ than it was hurtful. I assumed, as you noted in a subsequent comment you were tired, so I didn’t take it personally, or as hurtful in intent.

When all is said and done however, we do need to realign how we relate with people with whom we differ. That really is a problem. We come to vilify anyone who disagrees with us. That kind of pathology only escalates. As long as we allow outliers to define our identity the problem will persist and get worse.

That part in bold is certainly true. I have only hurt people I was close to, they were the only people that ever made me angry enough to do so.

I don’t think I can agree that the lack of sensitivity has only increased. At least according to my parents it really isn’t all that different today then when they were growing up. It may manifest itself differently because of technology.