Instead of empathy, Bloom concludes, we need compassion: a cooler, more rational, more distanced love, kindness and concern for others. A relative of his undergoing cancer treatment doesnt like medical staff who overflow with empathy: He gets the most from doctors who are calm when he is anxious, confident when he is uncertain. As the Saturday Night Live writer Jack Handey wrote, before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes: that way, youll be a mile away, and youll have their shoes. But if you want to help them, staying planted in your own shoes may be preferable. Sure, I could feel your pain. But wouldnt you rather I did something about it? oliver.burkeman@theguardian
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 07:30:10 +0000
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