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While there may be a legit point to this article, let's also keep things in perspective. In the past few weeks we've had....... 3 major hurricanes resulting in

While there may be a legit point to this article, let's also keep things in perspective. In the past few weeks we've had....... 3 major hurricanes resulting in enormous damage. The NFL anthem/knee controversy. Escalating tensions with North Korea. The Catalan vote turned into military police violence yesterday. The largest mass murder in recent American history today. OJ was released from prison. More Manafort investigations. The protests/riots in St. Louis over officer Jason Stockley being cleared in the shooting. The other riots at Georgia tech where a cop car was set on fire of a different shooting. The discovery that Jared Kushner has used private email for government business. Developments in the Russia hacking scandal which may prove involvement in the election. The deadly riots in India after a religious leader was convicted of rape. A terrorist knife attacker in France yesterday. Suicide bombers in Syria today. The alleged murderers of Kim Jong-Un's half brother began their trial. And that's just the shit I can remember! I'm afraid to think about what I have already forgotten - and that's really the point. There's really only so much any one person can focus on to any meaningful degree. I'm not a fan of the media, but I don't blame them for this one. People were sick of hurricane coverage and with all that other stuff going on, they curtailed coverage a bit to focus on some other hot button issues.

turc1656 9y ago
Also, pulling up 2-3 major news outlets right now I see that PR is mentioned on all of them, particularly because the president has announced a visit there. But still. It's on the main page of all of them this very minute. One other thing - today is a perfect example - if it weren't for the mass shooting in Vegas, the Catalan voting violence would have been the front page news today. Maybe being in Europe it is that way, but not here in the US. Catalan was all but drowned out to the Vegas attack.
KGIII 9y ago
The London Tube bombing. I think that was just a couple of weeks ago. As you say, there is only so much one can focus on. I don't even try to really retain or keep up with it all. I can't and I don't care if I'm expected to. I'd say that I also have a finite amount of empathy. It sounds bad but it gets used up quickly and I have more local things on which to spend my empathy. I know it is selfish, but that's just how it is.
- turc1656 9y ago
  Yep, forgot about that one. I totally understand your point. And it is, in my opinion, a very reasonable position to take. I believe I'm the same way, for better or worse. I can't recall with certainty but I believe there is a psychological term for what you describe. Basically, it boils down to your brain compartmentalizing what you can and cannot have an effect on. That which you cannot affect you tend to care far less about and reduce/eliminate empathy and other emotional connection because it can be draining and isn't productive in any positive way (usually). That which you can affect or which has a significant impact on you personally is a totally different story. Wish I could remember the term for it.
  - KGIII 9y ago
    As I was typing it, I was thinking there would be a psychological name for it. It seems like something they've likely classified and tried to measure. If you'll permit me a vulgarity, my give a damn button is broken. For PR, I sent off two donations. It's the same as I did for both Florida and Texas. I don't view it as buying karma, or anything. I view it as being more that I'm actually obligated to do. We don't care need to to overly care, do anything, or devote energy. Being obligated to outrage is a silly social trend. It's unfortunate and it's surely painful for those most closely impacted, but we are continually bombarded with news of tragedy. Selfish or not, I'm pretty sure it's more healthy to just accept it and acknowledge it. I'm absolutely not saying it wasn't tragic, I'm just saying I am unwilling to get emotionally invested in it. I suspect that makes sense, I'm mostly just trying to explain it in more detail because I don't know of a more precise term for it. If this happened in my area, I'd be much more emotionally invested.

turc1656 9y ago

Also, pulling up 2-3 major news outlets right now I see that PR is mentioned on all of them, particularly because the president has announced a visit there. But still. It's on the main page of all of them this very minute. One other thing - today is a perfect example - if it weren't for the mass shooting in Vegas, the Catalan voting violence would have been the front page news today. Maybe being in Europe it is that way, but not here in the US. Catalan was all but drowned out to the Vegas attack.

KGIII 9y ago

The London Tube bombing. I think that was just a couple of weeks ago. As you say, there is only so much one can focus on. I don't even try to really retain or keep up with it all. I can't and I don't care if I'm expected to. I'd say that I also have a finite amount of empathy. It sounds bad but it gets used up quickly and I have more local things on which to spend my empathy. I know it is selfish, but that's just how it is.

turc1656 9y ago
Yep, forgot about that one. I totally understand your point. And it is, in my opinion, a very reasonable position to take. I believe I'm the same way, for better or worse. I can't recall with certainty but I believe there is a psychological term for what you describe. Basically, it boils down to your brain compartmentalizing what you can and cannot have an effect on. That which you cannot affect you tend to care far less about and reduce/eliminate empathy and other emotional connection because it can be draining and isn't productive in any positive way (usually). That which you can affect or which has a significant impact on you personally is a totally different story. Wish I could remember the term for it.
- KGIII 9y ago
  As I was typing it, I was thinking there would be a psychological name for it. It seems like something they've likely classified and tried to measure. If you'll permit me a vulgarity, my give a damn button is broken. For PR, I sent off two donations. It's the same as I did for both Florida and Texas. I don't view it as buying karma, or anything. I view it as being more that I'm actually obligated to do. We don't care need to to overly care, do anything, or devote energy. Being obligated to outrage is a silly social trend. It's unfortunate and it's surely painful for those most closely impacted, but we are continually bombarded with news of tragedy. Selfish or not, I'm pretty sure it's more healthy to just accept it and acknowledge it. I'm absolutely not saying it wasn't tragic, I'm just saying I am unwilling to get emotionally invested in it. I suspect that makes sense, I'm mostly just trying to explain it in more detail because I don't know of a more precise term for it. If this happened in my area, I'd be much more emotionally invested.