You and I both resonate on the same fundamental truth, but I get the sense that you’re more actively wishing death, “I hope beyond hope that we fully die out”, where I am more so just paranoid and avoidant. I agree that that activists do thankless work. The phrase, “We are predisposed to be cruel,” sounds Hobbesian in that it presupposes that man is naturally cruel, though I never read Hobbes so I don’t know actually. I think people are naturally irrational, but not cruel per se. I think they are also great at adapting, which leads to a frog in boiling water situation; there’s a sort of natural adaptation to toxic environments without knowing how or wanting to fix it. I think you’re more so an intense “hate humanity” misanthrope while I’m more a “mistrust & fear humanity” misanthrope. Fight/flight, anger/fear, both are responding to the same perceived stress.
Every moment and daily action would be rational and empathetic. Here are some scenarios I witnessed today. I’ll swap them to more ideal
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Example 1
Real scenario: A train operator stops the train and yells at a man for apparently smoking at the train stop prior to boarding. The operator demands the passenger leaves for breaking the “no smoking before pickup” rule. The man is flushed red and has tears in his eyes. The operator is so convicted in their anger that they have no empathy.
Ideal scenario: The train operator does not take his anger out on others. He forgives the man for breaking the rule, as ultimately no one is harmed. The train operator uses his power and authority to ensure the man gets home safely. The train operator values the well-being of the man more than arbitrary rules because he is empathetic, forgiving, and kind.
Example 2
Real scenario: A homeless man boards the bus. He has heavy bags he wrestles with. The bus driver demands the homeless man to hurry up to sit down as the bus operator “has to go.” The homeless man obeys but is tangled in heavy bags and uncomfortable to cater to the demands of the bus driver
Ideal scenario: The bus driver is patient and allows time for the homeless man to sit down. The bus driver may even help the man with his stuff. The driver prioritizes their passengers safety and well-being over arbitrary things like timeliness.
Example 3
Real scenario: A boarding passenger of the train takes a big puff of their electronic cigarette and puffs it inside.
Ideal scenario: The boarding passenger throws away their electronic cigarette as it harms their well-being. This has the added benefit of not polluting the common air with toxic & addictive chemicals. … Meanwhile, all electronic cigarette companies had an epiphany and decides to not sell their products anymore as they realize it is killing humanity, and they do not want to profit off the sickening of their fellow humans.
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In each scenario, the relevant actors try to be more compassionate to themselves and others. I could give more examples, but 3 is good enough.