Blog #8: Why Don't People Care?

In my high school psychology class, we talked about the fact that many people act out of their own best interests, and relatively few are able to reach the stage of cognitive development where actions are done out of interest for what is right or what is good. That is not to say that most people are bad, but they are focused on themselves rather than on the "greater good". At the time I found this to be a rather cynical way of looking at the world. Surely people would not be so selfish as to act only in accordance to their own will. Unfortunately, I have come to see that, although people may think they want to act for the good of others, when push comes to shove they will better themselves, even at the expense of others. Perhaps that is why those who put their best interests aside to help someone else are considered heroes. They have deviated from the norm in a way that people admire. However, that admiration is rarely exemplified through actions. People are more content to look out for themselves than for others. I have noticed that with efforts to raise awareness for the Invisible Children Organization and the issues of child soldiers in Africa. While people think they want to help, when given the opportunity they often will decline. Some even consider it a waste of time, and very bluntly tell me they do not care. I simply do not understand why people would do this. Why are people so short-sighted that they refuse to see past themselves. Honestly I find it disgusting. It comes as a newsflash to a lot of people, but the world is not all about you! The faster you figure that out, the better off you will be. Because until you get out of yourself and reach to others, no one will want to reach out to you.