Weaponized Empathy: how we're ruled through emotional coercion, a thread.

Empathy is vital. It aids humans in cooperation, child-rearing, friendships etc. But it's also a very effective tool when ppl wanna get what they want while maintaining the moral high ground.

At a low level this behaviour can be seen at any playground where power hungry women police other ppl's kids with feigned concern. It's generally feminine behaviour as it's an 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵 tool of power (women adapted to be less confrontational due to being physically weaker)

I would argue that in the past 10yrs empathy has become the choice tool of coercion among the majority of leaders (male & female) as it appeases such a large base. There are a lot of emasculated men, single childless women, and empty nesters who all need an empathy outlet.

Look at the recent corona hysteria...lead by men, supported by millions of Karens. "IF YOU DON'T LISTEN TO OUR INCONSISTENT INVASIVE EVER-CHANGING RULES U WILL LITERALLY KILL MILLIONS OF PEOPLE"
no one wants to go against this because they would be deemed uncaring and evil.

U might say, what's the problem? Ppl SHOULD care about each other. Maybe our leaders are actually empathetic. Nope. Impossible. You are not able to have true empathy for countless ppl you've never met. It's just not in our capacity. Basically anyone that says they do is lying.

Ok but we can still make policy that is extrapolated en masse from a place of empathy...except people's needs are different. You can't empathize with one person the same way as you would with the next. One may be immunocompromised, another may be on brink of suicide.

So really weaponized empathy is just rebranded utilitarianism, except worse, because at least utilitarianism implies the best outcome for the greatest population. With weaponized empathy it's kinda anything goes as long as enough ppl can be made to feel bad.