We are bombarded with bad news every day, unlike the 'good old days' when news was restricted to a morning paper, tv news at 6pm and 10pm and radio news.
We have rolling news on tv, access to internet news 24/7 and even if you avoid news sites then Twitter and Facebook feeds quickly spread bad news.
If we allow ourselves to get upset about each and every tragedy we'd be emotional wrecks good for nothing so we immunise ourselves by making crass remarks or by the use of gallows humour.
Of course, there are some people who positively wallow in other peoples misfortunes and get distressed because their neighbour's great aunt in Australia housekeeper's mother has died peacefully in her bed aged 103.