Wars, catastrophes, injustices: the world is not stingy with bad news. Yet, as much as they initially shock us, over time we tend to get used to even the most tragic events. This form of indifference is a defense mechanism of our psyche, but it can turn into a double-edged sword. Because if on the one hand it allows us to move forward despite everything, on the other it risks making us less sensitive, less inclined to act to change things.
How can we avoid this "addiction" to tragedies, increasingly linked to our hyper-mediatized future? Here are some suggestions.
The virus of indifference in the digital age
Let's face it: in the age of social media and 24/7 information, escaping the bombardment of bad news is virtually impossible. Wars, natural disasters, violence: one scroll is enough to find yourself submerged by a wave of horrors. For some it becomes a pathology. And if at first we feel upset, angry, helpless… well, after a while that feeling starts to fade. We get used to it, we "normalize".
It's as if constant exposure to the tragedies of the world makes us immune, anesthetized. A bit like a virus which, by replicating itself, ends up weakening our emotional defenses. It is a scientific process, denounced by more than a search. If we are not careful, we risk being infected by apathy and indifference. A true existential “pandemic”.
Black mirror: when the screen becomes a distorting mirror
Who is the real "patient zero" of this addiction epidemic? Many point the finger at the media and technology. And not without reason: after all, it is they who decide what to show us and how, who dictate the agenda of our concerns. And by always feeding us the same images, the same alarmist headlines, they end up desensitizing us.
A bit like in that episode of Black Mirror, the dystopian series that showcases the dark sides of technology. Some people are forced to watch videos of violence and atrocities for hours and hours, until those subjected to them stop reacting. The screen becomes a distorting mirror, which gives us a distorted reflection of reality. If we continue to stare at it, we risk no longer recognizing ourselves.
The vaccine without shots: awareness
The pandemic of indifference is not an inevitable fate. We can still develop antibodies to resist this emotional “normalization”. The first step? Be aware of it: recognize that yes, we are becoming less sensitive, less empathetic. And no, it's not normal or acceptable.
Then, it's about changing our "media habits". Instead of passively consuming news, let's do it actively and consciously. Let's choose different sources, delve deeper into the themes we care about, and ask ourselves the context and root causes of the events. And above all, let's not just watch: let's act, in our small way, to change things.
But how can you say that everything is normal here?
Ghali, “My House”, 2024
The future is an unknown, but healing from indifference depends (also) on us
In the face of the world's great tragedies it is easy to feel helpless, but let's not underestimate the power of small daily actions. Informing ourselves, discussing, raising awareness among others, supporting the causes we believe in: they are all "vaccines" against indifference. And they can really trigger a real "domino effect" of awareness and participation, but it takes time and consistency.
Let's be clear: the future is not written. As technology and media advance, the risk of a pandemic of indifference is more real than ever. The photography of this moment is merciless. But it's up to us to decide whether to let ourselves be overwhelmed or whether to develop an "emotional resilience" that allows us to face reality, however harsh, without looking away.
Because after all, it is precisely when things seem most "normal" that we should worry the most. And commit ourselves to changing them, while we still have time. The future of empathy, and perhaps humanity itself, may depend on it.
