The hottest Empathy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

If people lash out at you, remember: it’s more about them than you

Civic Renaissance with Alexandra Hudson • 199 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Civility Mental health Public Discourse Empathy
  1. When someone is rude or angry, it usually says more about them than it does about you. People can be having a tough time, and their behavior might not really be personal.
  2. Try to think kindly about others instead of judging them harshly. Instead of saying 'they are a jerk,' remind yourself that they might just be having a bad day.
  3. Learning to react with empathy is important. By focusing on understanding rather than taking things to heart, we can keep our peace and better handle tough situations.

Your highlights of 2023, and overcoming helplessness in 2024

Granted • 7427 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Empathy Compassion Self-Improvement Personal Growth
  1. Compassion involves acknowledging distress even if you can't solve it, helping people feel seen.
  2. Top 10 links of 2023 included topics like the effective use of language, email etiquette, and cultural communication differences.
  3. Podcasts on bringing out positivity in kids, unlocking hidden potential, recharging on weekends, and building leadership skills.

Trumpers Are Not Entitled to Respect

Erik Examines • 1209 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Trumpism Nationalism Empathy
  1. Respect has to be earned, and many MAGA supporters haven't done that. They often act disrespectfully towards others but expect respect in return.
  2. There is a double standard where MAGA supporters don't recognize their own harmful statements. They can insult others but get upset when the same is done to them.
  3. Freedom is often misinterpreted. For some, it means the freedom to dominate others instead of true liberty for everyone.

Friday Reflection 35: Why Don’t Doctors Want to See Patients?

Sensible Medicine • 2987 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine Burnout Responsibility Empathy
  1. Being a doctor is a challenging and high-stress job, dealing with patients and their families every day.
  2. The responsibility of being a doctor means always needing to perform at your best, even on bad days.
  3. Doctors often feel overwhelmed by the limitations in fixing the underlying societal issues that contribute to their patients' health problems.
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What it means to be human

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Human nature Animal Behavior Empathy Cognition Communication
  1. Humans often assume that animals understand their intentions, but animals react instinctively based on their own perspectives. It's important to remember that what feels friendly to us may be seen as a threat to them.
  2. Thinking in images instead of words can help us connect with our animal side. Animals primarily think in pictures, and accessing that part of our brain can calm us and improve our understanding of other creatures.
  3. Our bigger brains give humans advanced reasoning abilities, but it can also make it harder to relate to animals. Understanding our differences and similarities with other species helps us learn more about being human.

Social media is a machine that destroys empathy

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1069 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Empathy Human behavior Healthcare Capitalism
  1. Social media can lead to a loss of empathy. People often say things online that they wouldn't say face-to-face.
  2. When anger about issues like healthcare rises, some people turn to violence and support it. This shows a breakdown of empathy and understanding.
  3. There's a need to focus on changing the systems causing these problems, rather than blaming individuals. We should hold companies accountable while also working to fix the root issues.

C'est La Vie, C'est La Guerre

Ladyparts • 1877 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture War Peace Empathy Aggression
  1. The post discusses thoughts on empathy, aggression, war, and peace in the context of a personal experience at the French border.
  2. The author is sharing the essay for free for a limited time as a holiday gift to the readers, showcasing appreciation for the audience.
  3. To access more content, readers can sign up for a 7-day free trial on Ladyparts.

Lessons from The Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert Caro

Dwarkesh Patel • 1592 implied HN points • 03 May 23
📚 Literature Biography Power Manipulation Empathy Influence
  1. To succeed, go beyond the norm and do everything necessary with intensity and attention to detail.
  2. Ambition can lead to unexpected alliances and outcomes as seen in the political career of Lyndon Johnson.
  3. Understanding and reading people is key in wielding power and influence, as exemplified by Johnson's ability to empathize and manipulate for his goals.

The Insidious Lie That We Can’t Understand Each Other

After Babel • 2074 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Politics Identity Empathy Solidarity
  1. Identity trap ideologies suggest we can't understand each other, but it's important to challenge this notion.
  2. Standpoint theory emphasizes empathizing with oppressed groups, but it may not effectively guide political action.
  3. To argue against the identity trap, take concerns seriously, show why the ideology may fail, and propose a more noble path forward.

The Profile Dossier: Amaryllis Fox, the ex-CIA agent performing the most clandestine operations

The Profile • 2300 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influence Empathy Conflict resolution Authenticity Humanity
  1. Amaryllis Fox emphasized the importance of listening to disarm the enemy.
  2. Fox highlighted the power of relationships and in-person interactions for understanding people's fears and motivations.
  3. Fox stressed the significance of recognizing each other's humanity and finding common ground through empathy and respect.

Don't Tell Your Parents

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 170 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Childhood Empathy Entertainment Parenting Perception
  1. Kids see the world differently than adults do. They have unique perspectives and experiences that adults often struggle to understand.
  2. Entertainment for kids used to create a sense of adventure and secrecy, but now it often feels like adults are trying too hard to be relatable. This can take away the excitement for children.
  3. Empathy is important for both kids and adults. Understanding each other's viewpoints can help bridge the gap in communication and lead to better relationships.

The Tears of Strangers are only water

Wrong Side of History • 379 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Empathy Literature Humanism Social Issues
  1. Empathy has its limits; we often feel sad for others but can't fully connect to their pain. It's normal to care about distant events, but we might not be able to change them.
  2. Sometimes, people who are deeply empathetic can get overwhelmed by the suffering they see in the world. This can lead to sadness, just like in the story of Simone Weil.
  3. Understanding the feelings of others is important, but we need to balance it with our own well-being. It's okay to feel for others without taking on their pain.

The Cost of Kindness – a White Camellia podcast

A B’Old Woman • 519 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Empathy Activism Gender Issues
  1. Women often show more empathy and kindness, which can sometimes be taken advantage of. It's important to recognize when kindness is being exploited.
  2. As women gain life experience, they become wiser about balancing empathy with pragmatism. Understanding that the situation is bigger than just one person's story helps them make better decisions.
  3. The podcast discusses the impact of uncritical kindness towards men identifying as women on women and girls' rights. It's crucial to think about the broader consequences of our actions.

When (and how) do we debate vaccine science?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1281 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Debates Misinformation Empathy Communication
  1. Debating vaccine science can create false equivalence and be time-consuming and dangerous.
  2. Live debates can prioritize charm over data and lead to logical fallacies and dead-end discussions.
  3. Some debates are worthwhile when participants are open to changing their minds and when the subject matter is not politically or religiously polarized.

Providing X-Rays, MRIs and CT Scans to Higher-Weight Patients

Weight and Healthcare • 479 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Patient Experience Accessibility Inclusivity Empathy
  1. Know the weight and size capacities of your equipment and facilities to provide better care to higher-weight patients.
  2. Understand the diverse needs of all patients and create protocols to ensure a positive experience for everyone, including those with disabilities and neurodivergence.
  3. Communicate openly and proactively with patients about accommodations, accessibility, and equipment capabilities to enhance their experience and educate them about available options.

Why Belonging Matters to our Health & Well-being

Are You Okay? • 419 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Belonging Inclusion Empathy Self-compassion
  1. Belonging involves feeling accepted and welcomed, while inclusion is about incorporating excluded individuals. Belonging is an emotional aspect compared to inclusion, which is more action-oriented.
  2. Feeling accepted and supported contributes to confidence and healthier habits. Conversely, exclusion and lack of belonging can lead to negative emotional impacts like anxiety and depression.
  3. Simple steps to help those struggling with belonging include active listening without interruption, empathizing with others, allowing space for people to share without immediately trying to fix their problems, and accepting individuals as they are.

Review: "Brandon Sanderson Is Your God" by Wired

coldhealing • 255 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Journalism Literature Critique Empathy
  1. The article criticizes popular fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson for his perceived lack of depth in his works and personal life.
  2. The Wired article attacks Sanderson's character through ad hominem attacks rather than engaging with his literary merit.
  3. There is a comparison with a YouTube video that provides better journalism and artistic exploration than the Wired article.

ChatGPT is capable of cognitive empathy!

Nonzero Newsletter • 564 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Empathy Language Models Artificial General Intelligence Machine Learning
  1. ChatGPT-4 shows a capacity for cognitive empathy, understanding others' perspectives.
  2. The AI developed this empathetic ability without intentional design, showing potential for spontaneous emergence of human-like skills.
  3. GPT models demonstrate cognitive empathy comparable to young children, evolving through versions to manage complex emotional and cognitive interactions.

Try to see it my way

Thoughts on Writing • 599 implied HN points • 10 May 22
🎭️ Culture Advertising Empathy Diversity Communication Persuasion
  1. Cognitive empathy, the skill of seeing things from others' perspectives, is essential in advertising and broader societal issues like preventing wars and climate change.
  2. Diversity in advertising means more than just race and gender; it should encompass various backgrounds like class and education to reach wider audiences effectively.
  3. A culture of cognitive empathy in advertising shifts focus from internal introspection to understanding and connecting with customers, helping the industry regain cultural relevance.

Two too many atrocities,...how many more?

History's Parrot • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Journalism Narratives Truth Empathy
  1. The importance of sharing critical insights and information from independent journalists like Alastair Crooke to combat lies and tyrannies.
  2. The impact of 'win narratives' on empathy, active listening, and communication between states, as highlighted by the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
  3. The necessity to reflect on existence and societal decay in current times of turmoil and assault on societal pillars.

How Black women gave me empathy for young men

Sex and the State • 18 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Racism Empathy Social justice Political Discourse
  1. Listening to Black women is essential for understanding complex social issues. They provide unique insights that can help broaden perspectives.
  2. There is a need to empathize with young men and learn about their struggles. Ignoring their voices can lead to misunderstanding their experiences.
  3. Tone matters in discussions about sensitive topics. It's important to focus on understanding others rather than getting defensive about their expressions of frustration.

Changing my mind on whether managers should keep coding

peoplefirstengineering • 8 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Management Empathy Leadership Coding
  1. It's important for managers to stay connected to coding, as it helps them empathize with their team. Being hands-on can improve understanding of the challenges engineers face.
  2. Empathy in leadership goes beyond just understanding tasks; it involves recognizing individual emotions and how they affect performance. Good managers should tailor their support based on team members' unique situations.
  3. Challenges in coding create a shared experience among team members. Managers who code can better relate to the ups and downs, building trust and a stronger team dynamic.

Boredom and its discontents

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Empathy
  1. Boredom can lead individuals to engage in risky or extreme behaviors, as seen in the historical case of Frantisek Kotzwara's death from erotic asphyxiation.
  2. The public's interest in rescue stories transcends socio-economic status, showing that people are captivated by tales of survival and heroism.
  3. Exploration and adventure often come with a price tag, with the wealthy having more access to risky endeavors, highlighting the intersection of boredom, money, and the drive for thrilling experiences.