That's all true however that doesn't mean photography created compassion. In context of the hugely transformative society of 19th century Europe and America, i

That's all true however that doesn't mean photography created compassion. In context of the hugely transformative society of 19th century Europe and America, it is more likely that the emergence of the bourgeoisie and more generally a middle class who, unlike the aristocracy, did not consider the worst off people as suffering the lot allotted to them by God or providence, gave rise to expressions of compassion, equality, etc.. It may even be that thoughts along the lines of "by the grace of god there go I" stirred compassion in their hearts. [Photography then simply was a tool to communicate these thoughts and ideas.] (edit) p.s. I also found the assertion about photography and painting rather shaky. They didn't have photographs when this man was painting: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140826-the-time-travelling-painter https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140826-the-time-travel...