An Empathic Society

 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.