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0 pointsben_w2y ago0 comments

Even this can still be horrifying to face, when seeing the scale of those whose suffering exists and is far beyond your means to do anything about, even before facing ones own analysis-paralysis upon seeing so many good causes and not knowing what to do about it.

Much easier to hide from this, one way or another. Some do it with platitudes about fish or hard work, others with demands that the super-rich pay more taxes, still more with karma and the mysterious workings of the divine.

That's all very human.

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lazide2y ago

Underlying that is a presumption of control and ownership of things outside one’s control which is toxic though.

Suffering may exist. But when it is outside of one’s actual sphere of influence, and not caused by you - it is not really your business.

Turning it into an imperative is actually inverting the ownership involved, and trying to turn someone else’s pain into yours.

Which is the toxic part. As it disconnects the situation from who really does own it, and who really does have it within their sphere of influence.

ben_wOP2y ago

> Underlying that is a presumption of control and ownership of things outside one’s control which is toxic though.

Sure, but it is (to varying degrees between each person and situation) hard not to make this error when you're face-to-face with it.

> it is not really your business.

On a personal level, perhaps not; but hence the left half of politics, all the way from "lets not cut taxes" to actual literal Communism.

lazide2y ago

Sure. It’s also self destructive and often destructive to the one being ‘helped’ when taken to extremes (like most things).

The history of aid to Africa causing economic disruption and further long term misery being a good example.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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lazide2y ago

Underlying that is a presumption of control and ownership of things outside one’s control which is toxic though.

Suffering may exist. But when it is outside of one’s actual sphere of influence, and not caused by you - it is not really your business.

Turning it into an imperative is actually inverting the ownership involved, and trying to turn someone else’s pain into yours.

Which is the toxic part. As it disconnects the situation from who really does own it, and who really does have it within their sphere of influence.

ben_wOP2y ago

> Underlying that is a presumption of control and ownership of things outside one’s control which is toxic though.

Sure, but it is (to varying degrees between each person and situation) hard not to make this error when you're face-to-face with it.

> it is not really your business.

On a personal level, perhaps not; but hence the left half of politics, all the way from "lets not cut taxes" to actual literal Communism.

lazide2y ago

Sure. It’s also self destructive and often destructive to the one being ‘helped’ when taken to extremes (like most things).

The history of aid to Africa causing economic disruption and further long term misery being a good example.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse