I think that Cyran0’s right. We’ve been taught to hide anything that isn’t the “norm”. I think that we are also wired to survive as well.

But I agree with you Mouse as well, we’re all cowardly and all heroic. Sometimes we need attention and compassion. What I find so promising about the human race is that even when we’re at our darkest hour, if we see someone in our own condition or worse, we’re able to step out of ourselves and give compassion to others in need.

If you observe toddlers at play, when one is hurt, the rest do everything they can to make the injured one feel better. I don’t know when or how that instinct is changed.