AB often seems to be filled with tales of how awful people are/can be. (in news, R&S etc).
99% of media coverage seems to present a negative view of our world with constant news coverage of such things as terrorist attacks, crime, how bad things will get after bloody Brexit etc. Its easy to get bogged down in the mire with a constant stream of pessimism while forgetting all the good people and the good that they do.
I happen to think (despite what the media tells us) that humans are, by and large, altruistic.
I personally cannot even begin to count the number of times that absolute strangers have helped me out with no thought of getting anything in return (Ive received several gifts from ABers who don't personally know me from Adam)
In my work, I see everyday how many people give food, time, money etc to people that they will never meet.
I'm also convinced that a large proportion of people (not all) who resort to criminal behaviour, do so because they feel disconnected from society and have no sense of self worth, not because they are 'bad' people per se.
Agree with you and your son ummm. People do bad things, but life is shaped by our upbringing and the circumstances we encounter and our environment. We are only human. How Theland can believe that we are born eith evil in our hearts, because the Bible says so, escapes me.
Didn't realise you only wanted people who agreed with you to respond.
You should have said and I'd have left you and your fellow virtue signallers to a few verses of Kumbaya.
And btw, if I appeared to be so pathetic that other ABers felt it appropriate to send me 'gifts' I'd die of shame, not advertise the fact on here.
We're all different, I suppose.
22:54, ummm... absolutely right, I think... i think the majority of people are basically kind, as they understand how they would feel in a similar situation. I am not sure anyone is genuinely "altruistic"... it makes people feel good themselves to do something for someone else.
But in all, I think you are right, nailit x
//I am not sure anyone is genuinely "altruistic"... it makes people feel good themselves to do something for someone else.//
Some people are genuinely altruistic – those who don’t broadcast their good deeds, virtue signal, or blow their own trumpets but help quietly - for the right reasons.
As most do, naomi... but it still makes them feel good about it. Not everyone needs public appreciation- just knowing you have done the right thing is worthwhile for most people.
A sense of satisfaction on a problem resolved perhaps but not necessarily on a personal level. Polishing haloes is not everyone’s wont, however modestly done. Some people do things simply because things need doing - and for no other reason whatsoever.