if a great disaster (say, 3 Gorges Dam just spontaneously collapses) were to befall China tomorrow,
I agree with Adam Smith’s view expressed in The Theory of Moral Sentiments,
Let us suppose that the great empire of China, with all its myriads of inhabitants, was suddenly swallowed up by an earthquake, and let us consider how a man of humanity in Europe, who had no sort of connection with that part of the world, would be affected upon receiving intelligence of this dreadful calamity. He would, I imagine, first of all, express very strongly his sorrow for the misfortune of that unhappy people, he would make many melancholy reflections upon the precariousness of human life, and the vanity of all the labors of man, which could thus be annihilated in a moment. He would too, perhaps, if he was a man of speculation, enter into many reasonings concerning the effects which this disaster might produce upon the commerce of Europe, and the trade and business of the world in general. And when all this fine philosophy was over, when all these humane sentiments had been once fairly expressed, he would pursue his business or his pleasure, take his repose or his diversion, with the same ease and tranquility, as if no such accident had happened. The most frivolous disaster which could befall himself would occasion a more real disturbance. If he was to lose his little finger tomorrow, he would not sleep tonight; but, provided he never saw them, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own.
This seems exaggerated, in the sense that many would react this way, but a substantial portion wouldn’t. Likely they would be labeled and mocked by some of the ones who recovered from it quickly. There would be unexpected connections, friends of friends who lost family, valued cultural themes whose presence wasn’t obviously imported but mysteriously fade after the vast decrease in cultural reservoir. One who is fully aware of the effects, even if sociopathic about it (which your quote argues is common), might be able to see enough to realize it was in fact a substantial practical impact. One who isn’t sociopathic about it would find tendrils of deep grief about it anywhere in the world by nature of second or third hand connections.
Of course, there would also be other effects. And for some the balance of effects may be positive. But the negative effects wouldn’t be entirely isolated from people who have many unfiltered connections to their local culture and society, which is a common though not universal way to live.
Especially if there are videos of it happening. I’ll bet Adam Smith didn’t use YouTube!
I agree with Adam Smith’s view expressed in The Theory of Moral Sentiments,
Scottish enlightenment, best enlightenment :)
This seems exaggerated, in the sense that many would react this way, but a substantial portion wouldn’t. Likely they would be labeled and mocked by some of the ones who recovered from it quickly. There would be unexpected connections, friends of friends who lost family, valued cultural themes whose presence wasn’t obviously imported but mysteriously fade after the vast decrease in cultural reservoir. One who is fully aware of the effects, even if sociopathic about it (which your quote argues is common), might be able to see enough to realize it was in fact a substantial practical impact. One who isn’t sociopathic about it would find tendrils of deep grief about it anywhere in the world by nature of second or third hand connections.
Of course, there would also be other effects. And for some the balance of effects may be positive. But the negative effects wouldn’t be entirely isolated from people who have many unfiltered connections to their local culture and society, which is a common though not universal way to live.
Especially if there are videos of it happening. I’ll bet Adam Smith didn’t use YouTube!