How can i start caring more about the world?

Question

I can't bring myself to watch the news and see what's going on in the world. At the end of the day, i'd rather surf the internet than find out about starving children.

Also, it's hard for me to empathize with people i meet everyday. When someone is telling me an important story about themselves, sometimes my head just wanders and i stop listening.

I feel bad about my lack of care on an interpersonal and global level. Is it possible me to start caring more?

Answer 1

Baha ha! I am like that! Goodness me. I've met MYSELF!

You probably have a high threshold for entertainment/excitement. You probably find another woe of the world story very boring. But this doesn't help build relationships when people expect us to listen to them.

Okay, this is what I do, notwithstanding, we may both have Aspergers.

Surf the net, because eventually you'll hear about the major events in the world. Many news articles are fallacious anyway, and a bunch these days are nothing more than advertisements thinly disguised.

In order to attend to people's talk, you have to stop yourself from wandering. The best way to do this is eye-contact- it keeps you in the here and now. Also show the person you are 'attending' by nodding every so often and giving at least a minimal verbal response. "Mhm" "Yes." "I see."

This doesn't have to be as mechanical as it may seem. In time, you will realize that you have been attending to people and not wandering.

Answer 2

Watching the news doesn't prove you care about the world.

The news is full of bad news and they rarely report the good things that are going on, so I don't watch the news either.

If you want to make friends, you'll have to listen to their stories about themselves, but if they go on and on without giving time for you to share, then they aren't your friends.

The fact that you are aware of these things tells me that you are probably capable of much kindness.

If surfing the net gives you some fun at the end of the day, I don't see a problem with that.

Answer 3

well you can start by being a little more eco friendly maybe that will make you feel better and your saving the environment.

Answer 4

1. turn off the lights when you leave a room

2.when brushing your teeth turn the sink off then  turn it on when you spit the tooth paste out

3.donate at least a dollar to cherity a week

Answer 5

try volunteering. its really fun and you'll realize what it means to help people. i volunteer all the time and i love it. and im like you, i dont watch the news or empathize with anyone...i dont really pay attention to global problems or try to help them. but i volunteer because its fun for me and it makes me happy. and it really does help the world, even if you dont realize it. and you'll start caring about the world and other people's problems, like the people you help. it may not sound fun or anything, but just try it =). i love it and im planning on joining the peace corps after college and dedicating my life to helping people.

Answer 6

You already have by asking that question :)

Answer 7

I used to not care about others but something happened and I started to care about others.  I started by caring more about my family and friends and wanting to help them out with situations they found themselves in.  Once I started helping them out, I found that if I found myself in a situation they would want to help me.  The people that I helped grew and I found myself helping other people and I have this gift of being mechanical with cars so I found myself helping a lot of people with cars and being a single mom a lot of the people I helped were single moms.  I wouldn't charge them a whole lot but I felt that was my calling.  When I needed help, there was someone there to help me and I feel that the pay it forward attitude helped make the world a better place.  I am happy that I changed and did what I did.

Answer 8

Your lack of intrest in the news is not uncommon. These days, media powerhouses generally distort, and have bias on the news you hear so it is understandable you have no interest.

As for you lack of empathy, try going into heavily populated places, such as a park in a major city (If you live in the New York -Metropolitan area go to central park), and just watch people walking, talking, interacting.

Maybe your appreciation for life is misinterpreted by yourself, try seeing people for who they are, not how they look or appear. Shoot the breeze with somone in an elevator, try not being self-centered and materialistic.

Hope i helped, Cheers.

Answer 9

It sounds like you do care.

Don't beat yourself up about it. It sounds like you probably have a clean concience. As long as you're not doing anyone wrong, relax and have faith in yourself.