do you care?

Hi NSumphin - How about a test?

My neighbor just killed his wife, then turned the gun on himself - leaving their 9-year-old daughter an orphan. She doesn't know yet.

Can you imagine how she might feel when she gets the news? Does your heart feel anything for that little girl?

This test will not be graded - but recess is pending.

May I take the test?

1. I imagine she will feel sad, stricken with grief, probably in shock for awhile and confused. Not willing to accept it. But I can't feel those emotions for myself. So, while I can surmise how she feels using descriptions that are, for the most part, meaningless to me, I cannot describe to you what the aforementioned emotions actually feel like. So ... no, not really.

2. No. But that doesn't necessarily mean I won't make an effort to help her.

You can use me as a basis for the lowest end of the "empathy spectrum."

Thanks Myers What would you be able to do for the orphan - or was that just hypothetical, in case she decides to go jump in the lake...and you happen to be in town. If that's the case, feel free to stop by for coffee.

Don't go giving yourself any gold stars for scoring lowest on the empathy level. My particular spectrum has no beginning or end - it's just one big ole ball of confusion.

i guess she would be sad maybe angry maybe confused. she would probably go one or a couple ways maybe full of anger at her father for ruining what her life was or depressed and confused wondering why and if it was her fault. im not sure which, it would depend on the circumstances.

and no i probably wouldn't feel anything for the girl, sure it is sad but tragedy's like that happen all the time, the world is full of suffering yet it keeps on spinning. i wouldn't do anything to help her either it is not my problem it would be hers, i would hope she overcomes it and not be broken by it.