Today's College Students More Likely to Lack Empathy

Reader Comments
Back to article

So you're saying it's the fault of people who cared about others that your generation doesn't? That makes no sense at all... On top of it, your generation seems to lack a great deal of social skills because of the great wave of technology that has come out in your lifetime. I watch people your age go around and grunt at eachother because they have not learned how to communicate in an intelligent manner using their voice. It's creepy!

Bonnie of CA 3:46PM May 28, 2010

You mean like when you report an issue to some type of customer service person (waitron, cashier etc.) and the person says a monotone "I'm sorry" but doesn't exert any effort to remedy the situation, when it is within their power to at least make an attempt?
I'm sorry your burger is cold, next...

noname of LA 3:45PM May 28, 2010

It's odd how people tend to admire slogans like "United We Stand" when we're really drifting apart and becoming a more introverted, individualistic society.
United We Stand indeed, except on universal healthcare, access to higher education, etc. The kinds of social policies that would allow us to compete socially and economically with other nation-states.
This attitude of 'every wo/man for him/herself' is just one reason for why we are being left behind by other nations, and being caught up to by countries like China.

Hubert of CA 3:44PM May 28, 2010

I am a child of the 70's. What was wrong with peace love and understanding? It si still working for me.

Lyle of IL 3:42PM May 28, 2010

What were some of the measures for empathy?

Will of VA 3:38PM May 28, 2010

i don't understand what they are saying. Maybe I can youtube a video of it :)

vince of CA 3:38PM May 28, 2010

That's what a generation of reading Ayn Rand will do for you.

Jackson Lindley of VA 3:35PM May 28, 2010

It's a learned behavior, but not from modern media. This generation grew up watching the 60-70s generation regard everything around the world as the US problem and generally watched as our domestic problems were neglected in favor of the domestic problems of countries around the world.
To use the "empathy at all costs" hippy generation as a reference point is a fundamental flaw in the study. Of course we're not as empathetic as they were - the hippies took it to such an extreme they didn't consider the consequences of their meddling in other people's affairs.
Personally I'm proud that my generation seems to have learned from the mistakes of the past.

Matt of WA 3:27PM May 28, 2010

I wonder in the future when these technologies become so advanced, where as the price gap between the more old and the new (SD and 3D tv's), that only the upper-class will be able to afford it.

Lewis Paul Marquez of FL 2:52PM May 28, 2010