The boys drink and review a robust porter then discuss “abusive empathy.”
Abusive empathy is when you turn empathy into a weapon or a tool to manipulate.
Some examples would include …
- Telling college age kids they’re too fragile to face other views
- Passing kids to the next grade rather than hurting their feelings
- Prioritizing emotions over facts
- Infantilizing people rather than allowing them to become strong
- Silencing dissent by labeling other opinions as cruel or unfeeling
It’s similar to the Jungian concept of the “devouring mother,” where mom protects the kids from the natural consequences of their actions, doesn’t allow them to face struggle or failure, in an effort to keep them dependent.
Examples in media would include Danny Kaye in White Christmas, or Eddie Haskall in Leave it to Beaver.
Then the boys entertain a question from a listener about whether Elon should apologize for his alleged “Nazi salute,” which leads to a discussion about when an apology is appropriate.
Which in turn leads to a discussion of the social media meme that “no matter how much you hate the media, you don’t hate them enough.”
Be First to Comment