Empathy has to flow both ways

You can't have empathy if you're not willing to give it back.

I think many of us at DU expect empathy but are wholly unable or unwilling to offer any in return.

I think maybe I have finally put my finger on the real issue that I have with this place, generally. At one time I did get empathy here and still find it in some. But then there are some hard liners who will go so far as to use my expectations against me.

That's a shame.

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49 replies	Author	Time	Post
Empathy has to flow both ways (Original post)	Cary	May 2018	OP
You're right kind of, it SHOULD flow both ways,	elleng	May 2018	#1
It's been a disappointment	Cary	May 2018	#3
Yes indeed we are in this together.	elleng	May 2018	#4
This message was self-deleted by its author	elocs	May 2018	#2
Empathy is one of my elements when I define liberalism	Cary	May 2018	#7
Yes a lot more empathy...	LakeArenal	May 2018	#5
I can get the outrage from #fakepresident cult followers	Cary	May 2018	#6
Absolutely. AND I didn't need any "explaining".	LakeArenal	May 2018	#9
"Explaining"	Cary	May 2018	#17
Yes it is a shame....	Heartstrings	May 2018	#8
This message was self-deleted by its author	elocs	May 2018	#10
That's a bit more dramatic than what I referred to.	Cary	May 2018	#11
This message was self-deleted by its author	elocs	May 2018	#13
Must we have equality of empathy?	brer cat	May 2018	#15
No one has to anything	Cary	May 2018	#16
"No one has to anything" Right, neither do I. I'm out.	elocs	May 2018	#18
I am wrestling with something that has nothing to do with you or what you have said	Cary	May 2018	#19
Of course not.	brer cat	May 2018	#20
Ugh	Cary	May 2018	#21
True. The same could be said for respect.	Boomerproud	May 2018	#12
This message was self-deleted by its author	elocs	May 2018	#14
K&R	Gothmog	May 2018	#22
It does not have to flow both ways.	NCTraveler	May 2018	#23
I'm sick and tired of the non-constructive conflict	Cary	May 2018	#24
Education is the solution.	NCTraveler	May 2018	#25
Agree empathy is an individual thing that occurs within a person.	Hortensis	May 2018	#30
I get that but I have been wedged	Cary	May 2018	#31
True, but I think it was killed in a murder-suicide with "Civility".	Behind the Aegis	May 2018	#26
So do you expect to get something back for your generosity?	vlyons	May 2018	#27
What makes you think empathy is generosity?	Cary	May 2018	#32
What makes you think that it isn't?	vlyons	May 2018	#34
Look up enlightened self interest	Cary	May 2018	#35
You don't need to teach me about empathy	vlyons	May 2018	#44
This is a discussion board	Cary	May 2018	#45
good for you	vlyons	May 2018	#48
Maybe.	Cary	May 2018	#49
Empathy doesn't require, nor should a truly empathetic person expect, reciprocation or	EffieBlack	May 2018	#28
Says who?	Cary	May 2018	#36
I should add...	Cary	May 2018	#37
Then why do you expect empathy to be returned and feel slighted that it didn't happen?	EffieBlack	May 2018	#39
Who said I feel slighted?	Cary	May 2018	#41
And I didnt mean to infer you are self destructive or an addict	Cary	May 2018	#42
That's a different issue	EffieBlack	May 2018	#38
It's an example that illustrates why your point is not well taken.	Cary	May 2018	#43
empathy doesn't flow. One is either empathic	WhiteTara	May 2018	#29
What's going on is that we have a fascist in the White House,	Cary	May 2018	#33
No. Empathy doesn't have to flow both ways	JI7	May 2018	#40
You insist on living in a spiritually dualistic world?	Cary	May 2018	#46
It all flows. You must let go to allow it	Cary	May 2018	#47