Less than 10 days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, the state is bracing for another potentially devastating blow from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, this one a potential Category 3 storm.
There are probably some cases where it’s true it was irresponsible to build somewhere. For most people though, they may have been born there; they may have had to move there for work. Denying pity to people who have suffered a tragedy without ever knowing their circumstances is heartless. The world you want to live in would step over you in a minute the moment you fucked up.
Global warming is not a tragedy. It’s a highly predictable FAFO moment. We decided, as a civilization, to do this to ourselves. It’s not an anomaly. We voted for it. People were asked “do you want hurricanes to wash away your houses?” and they said, “yes, please!”
Of course, that’s not true for children and animals, and I have so much sadness for them. But the adults? No. I watched them choose this.
… no I want you to have empathy for people who just lost their homes. It’s OK though. I have no problem letting you go off in your hate filled tizzy. I know nothing I do or say can get through to you. We will see you on the otherside, though. When the, “it could never happen to me” turns into “why doesn’t anyone care?”
You’re right about empathy, and I have plenty of it for the people who didn’t actively choose this. But for those who are talking about rebuilding their home for the third time in a zone most prone to these disasters and simultaneously denying climate change (likely voting for reps who shoot down mitigating measures)? No, they can get fucked. They’re hurting all of us through their wilful ignorance.
Well, no… It’s not hate. It’s apathy. I expended a lot of psychic energy caring over the years and dreading this exact outcome. I stopped eating meat. I didn’t own a car. Then these folks elected Donald Trump. Idk man. Maybe we aren’t meant to help these creatures. Maybe it’s just FAFO.
True, I don’t like it when animals suffer. So there’s a bit of a paradox at play here. To the extent that they are animals, I do not wish them to suffer. But to the extent that they are rational creatures, or persons, then their choices were evil and they deserve to suffer. So the only way that I can feel pity for them is to strip them of their rational autonomy and personhood and treat them as mere animals (granting them pity).
Is that what you think I should do? Regard 80% of humanity as little more than amoral apes with a tenuous grasp of language? Well, that might be the truth.
There are probably some cases where it’s true it was irresponsible to build somewhere. For most people though, they may have been born there; they may have had to move there for work. Denying pity to people who have suffered a tragedy without ever knowing their circumstances is heartless. The world you want to live in would step over you in a minute the moment you fucked up.
Global warming is not a tragedy. It’s a highly predictable FAFO moment. We decided, as a civilization, to do this to ourselves. It’s not an anomaly. We voted for it. People were asked “do you want hurricanes to wash away your houses?” and they said, “yes, please!”
Of course, that’s not true for children and animals, and I have so much sadness for them. But the adults? No. I watched them choose this.
Global warming is a tragedy. The greatest tragedy of our time.
My point is our culture needs more empathy. Outrage and anger, there’s enough of that. Empathy, even for those who made a mistake.
Uhh, you want me to have empathy for the people who are actively attempting to end all sentient life on this planet? I’m good.
… no I want you to have empathy for people who just lost their homes. It’s OK though. I have no problem letting you go off in your hate filled tizzy. I know nothing I do or say can get through to you. We will see you on the otherside, though. When the, “it could never happen to me” turns into “why doesn’t anyone care?”
You’re right about empathy, and I have plenty of it for the people who didn’t actively choose this. But for those who are talking about rebuilding their home for the third time in a zone most prone to these disasters and simultaneously denying climate change (likely voting for reps who shoot down mitigating measures)? No, they can get fucked. They’re hurting all of us through their wilful ignorance.
I can agree with that.
Well, no… It’s not hate. It’s apathy. I expended a lot of psychic energy caring over the years and dreading this exact outcome. I stopped eating meat. I didn’t own a car. Then these folks elected Donald Trump. Idk man. Maybe we aren’t meant to help these creatures. Maybe it’s just FAFO.
It’s OK to have empathy for people who fuck around. I mean they got their just desserts. No need to kick them while they are down.
True, I don’t like it when animals suffer. So there’s a bit of a paradox at play here. To the extent that they are animals, I do not wish them to suffer. But to the extent that they are rational creatures, or persons, then their choices were evil and they deserve to suffer. So the only way that I can feel pity for them is to strip them of their rational autonomy and personhood and treat them as mere animals (granting them pity).
Is that what you think I should do? Regard 80% of humanity as little more than amoral apes with a tenuous grasp of language? Well, that might be the truth.
That is not at all what I suggest. You sir, are being difficult.