Daniel Goleman: Why arent we all Good Samaritans?

Compassion and the Brain

In this TED talk, Dr. James Doty discusses the neuroscience of compassion and how our focus on ourselves can prevent us from helping others.

The Good Samaritan Study

• A study at Princeton Theological Seminary found that divinity students who were in a hurry were less likely to stop and help a stranger in need, even if they had just contemplated the parable of the Good Samaritan.

• Social neuroscience suggests that our default wiring is to help others, but we don't always act on it because we are too focused on ourselves.

• There is a spectrum between complete self-absorption and empathy/compassion for others. Focusing on ourselves prevents us from fully noticing others.

Narcissism vs Altruism

• Giving to charity can sometimes be motivated by narcissism rather than altruism. We may feel good about ourselves for giving, rather than feeling joy for those being helped.

• Focusing on others instead of ourselves can lead to altruistic joy and a greater desire to help.

Dating and Self-Focus

• Focusing too much on ourselves can also affect our dating lives. Speed dating is an example where people are often too focused on themselves instead of getting to know the other person.

Conclusion

• By paying attention to our focus and actively trying to shift it towards others, we can become more compassionate individuals who are more likely to help those in need.

The Importance of Empathy

In this section, the speaker talks about the importance of empathy and how it separates us from sociopaths.

Alice Charney Epstein's Dating Test

• Alice Charney Epstein had a dating test where she would see how long it took for a guy to ask her a question with the word "you" in it.

• This test was used to gauge whether or not someone was empathetic towards her.

• The speaker encourages people to try out this test at parties.

Emotional Empathy vs. IQ

• The speaker's brother-in-law interviewed a serial killer who had an IQ of 160 but lacked emotional empathy.

• The killer said that he had to turn off his emotions in order to commit his crimes.

• This lack of emotional empathy is what separates us from sociopaths.

Compassionate Consumerism

In this section, the speaker discusses how we are oblivious to the consequences of our purchases and how we can become more aware through compassionate consumerism.

Hidden Consequences of Our Purchases

• We are unaware of the ecological, public health, social, and economic justice consequences of our purchases.

• We don't notice toxic molecules emitted by products such as carpets or fabrics on seats.

• We don't know if certain fabrics can be reused or if they end up in landfills.

Oblivious Victims

• We have become victims of a system that points us elsewhere and makes us oblivious to the consequences of our purchases.

• The room itself is like an elephant in the room that we don't see because we're focused elsewhere.

Compassionate Consumerism

• Compassionate consumerism is about becoming more aware of the consequences of our purchases and making more informed decisions.

• We can choose to buy products that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically just.

• By doing so, we can make a positive impact on the world.

The Story of a T-Shirt

This section discusses the backstory of a t-shirt, including where the cotton was grown and the fertilizers used. It also mentions the consequences of using certain fertilizers on soil and how textile dye affects wastewater.

The Impact of Textile Works

• Epidemiologists have found that children who live near textile works tend to have high rates of leukemia.

Virtuous T-Shirts

• A company called Bennett and Company supplies Polo.com and Victoria's Secret. They formed a joint venture with their dye works in China to ensure that wastewater is properly taken care of before it returns to groundwater.

• Currently, we don't have the option to choose virtuous t-shirts over non-virtuous ones.

• Electronic tagging technology allows any store to know the entire history of any item on its shelves. Once you can track it back to the factory, you can look at the manufacturing processes that were used to make it, and if it's virtuous, you can label it that way.

• At point of purchase, we might be able to make a compassionate choice.

Making a Difference

This section talks about how information science may lead us towards knowing everything there is to know about an object at point-of-purchase. It also shares an anecdote about homelessness in New York City.

Knowing Everything About an Object

• There's a saying in information science: ultimately everybody will know everything.

• An anecdote from when he worked for The New York Times in which he realized almost all homeless people were psychiatric patients with nowhere else to go.

Noticing and Acting

• The speaker shares an anecdote about a man who fainted from hunger on the subway. He was helped by people who noticed him and acted.

• All it took was that simple act of noticing, and so the speaker is optimistic.