In the 21st century the role of technology and
empathy has become increasingly intertwined. The world has become smaller and
more connected as new technologies and communication channels are invented.
Empathy and technology seem to be two paradoxical concepts. Some argue that the
increase in technology creates a myopic society that is uninterested in the
goings on in the rest of the world. However, the evolution of technology and
communication has contributed to the rise of a sense of global empathy and community.
Communication is
an essential part of society; it is how information including emotions is
shared globally. While many argue against mass media, mass media is vital in
creating identities. Most of mass media “are subtle influences that help determined
who we are and what we do” (Wilson,Wilson 3). So, in effect mass media shapes
not only individuals but society as a whole. In the age of mass communication
which creates a sense of interconnectedness worldwide. Mass media became a catalyst for a so called
mass culture. “In the 19th century, the role of mass communication was to
supplement face-to-face communication and provide a means of dissemination-and
creating-the new mass culture” (Wilson,Wilson 28). Technology such as television,
internet, photography, print and social media creates a mass culture that helps
to create the sense of global community and to create a society that is aware
of things around the globe. People around the world want to communicate on a
global scale through sharing information through a variety of channels.
PressPausePlay, a movie that explores the evolution of technology and its role
in the democratization in the world, mentions that every person is now an
artist. With that, the definition and meaning of being an artist has changed.
“People don’t become artists because they want to become rich. They become
artists because they have an idea to share. Or an emotion to share” (Seth
Godin). In this democratization of art emotions are being shared over large
expanses in different channels to help create a sense of global awareness, thus
creating empathy. Jeremy Rifkin, a psychologist, argues that the creation of a
mass society is extending the idea of a family and who people are empathetic
with. He says, “We have the technology that allows us to extend the central
nervous system and to think viscerally as a family not just intellectually”
(The Empathic Civilisation). Before the age of global mass communication people
felt removed from one another, now as people know more and more about cultures
across the globe people are able to connect emotionally instead of just
intellectually. The emergence of channels of mass communication has helped
create an awareness of the cultures and emotions of people worldwide.
In
a world where people are constantly being inundated with information it is easy
to feel like there is a lost sense of belonging. However, as technology evolves
the community that we are a part of only grows large. In Craigslist Joe, Joseph
Garner travels around the country relying solely on the community created
through craigslist. Garner says, “Some say we have lost a sense of community
that helped carry us through tough times. Today it’s every person for
themselves. Some say technology and social media fuel this isolation. Have we
become so caught up in our own lives that we don’t notice life outside our
bubble? Are we less willing to see each other as neighbors” (Joseph Garner).
Technology and social media has definitely become an outlet for isolation for
some, however, the creation of sites like Craigslist demonstrates the empathy
and connectedness of the world today. The empathy that is created through mass
media helps to create this newfound sense of community. Rifkin says, “Empathy
is the invisible hand. Empathy is what allows us to stretch our sensibility
with another so that we can cohere in larger social units” (The Empathic
Civilization). Rifkin is essentially saying that through empathy people can
unify. If technology drives empathy and technology is now on a global scale, empathy
becomes important worldwide. Empathy is a strong emotion that can be conveyed
through technology. Rifkin goes further to say that empathy through technology
can be used to connect the world, “is it possible that we human beings who are
soft wired for empathic distress is it possible we could actually extend our
empathy to the entire human race, as an extended family?” (The Empathic
Civilization). In essence empathy can change the world; if every person is
exposed to the struggles of others then hypothetically a global family will be
created. If every person looks at others with empathy and a desire to know
their struggle there will be a shift in how people relate to one another.
Philosopher Roman Krznaric argues that by looking to others through information
and interaction can help create a more empathic society. Krznaric says that
“empathy is the way to revolutionize our own philosophies of life, to become
more outrospective, and to create the revolution of human relationships that I
think we so desperately need” (The Power of Outrosepection). As mass media
grows and empathy is shared worldwide, slowly people are beginning to create a
larger community and change how humans interact. Take Joseph Garner and
Craigslist Joe for example. After thirty days relying solely on empathy through
technology to survive he is surprised by “the generosity of people, and the
stories they shared and the connections made in one month was so deep...to
share their lives with me…..It was truly inspiring, just you know, on humanity,
to know that we can take care of each other” (Joseph Garner).The ability for
empathy to be translated through technology was evident in the film. Not only
is mass media a tool to relay empathy it can also revolutionize human
relationships.
While it is ideal that empathy
becomes a cornerstone in a global society, the current societal systems
suppress empathy or deal with empathy in a superficial way. If empathy is on
the rise then why is violence still such a big problem? Rifkin argues that it
is not human nature to be violent, superficial and narcissistic. He argues, “If
we are truly homo-empathicus then we need to bring out that core nature because
if it doesn't come out and it's repressed by our parenting, our educational
system, our business practice and government the secondary drives come, the
narcissism, the materialism, the violence, the aggression.” (The Empathic
Civilization). Because of how society is constructed it is impossible to create
a worldwide “family”. To deal with this society compensates by opening
charities and public works to try and help those they empathize with. Slavoj
Zizek does not argue that these are a bad thing just that they are going in the
wrong direction. By promoting consumerism and narcissism society is only
elevating the problem, “the proper aim is to try and reconstruct society on
such a basis that poverty will be impossible and the altruistic virtues have
really prevented the carrying out of this aim” (First as Tragedy, Then as
Farce). In order to truly revolutionize human relationships society would need
to be completely reconstructed. One way to start this revolution is through
education. Sir Ken Robinson, a philosopher, argues that the current system of
education is a part of creating a myopic generation. The current system is “essentially about
conformity and increasingly it's about that if you look at the growth of standardized
testing and standardized curricula and it's about standardization. I believe
we've got to go in the exact opposite direction. That's what I mean about
changing the paradigm” (Changing Paradigms). In order to create a truly
empathic society the foundation has got to shift to celebrate individuals as
well as collaboration. Empathy through technology can be used to revolutionize
the world however under the current societal restrictions it is impossible.
Technology has become a catalyst
for social change. As technology becomes more and more focused on mass media
the world is experiencing a sense of interconnectedness. This sense of
connection is attributed to empathy that is relayed through technology. Empathy
has the power to connect people who have nothing in common. Empathy has the
power to revolutionize human relationships for the better. If the world is able
to communicate and share thoughts and emotions on a global scale the world may
become a better place to live in.
