Tag Archives: empathy

Violence and Séx on media and games: that one detrimental effect

Posted in Ponderings & Personal Development by

Anything too violent or sensual in a scene of a movie would most likely get censored by the board. Of course, some would say – the audience will still be able to find the full version online, I’d say, yes.. go ahead and find them online. Until then, the rest who don’t plan or who do not have access to these online resources might as well enjoy the censored version.

I remembered a few years ago, a local movie producer was unhappy that a lot of his scenes were cut by the board due to violence. He further argued that viewers are mature and old enough to know what is right or wrong. I am not denying that given a choice, some people can still make better choices other than resorting to violence when altercations happen. Perhaps he has overlooked one very important aspect of being a human being apart from being able to perform an executive cognitive function.

EMPATHY

Someone who plays PUBG may not go around shooting people. Someone who enjoys p৹rnography may not indulge in the same act in real life. However unlimited exposure to violence and séxual arousal may give rise to apathy. Dalam bahasa melayunya, tiada rasa kasih dan sifat belas kasihan. It is no longer shocking to see someone get shot on the streets, it is no longer awkward to have unprotected intercourse with a stranger or someone with familial ties. What was once a taboo is considered normal and modern. What mattered more is I scored better with more dead bodies, with more body counts etc. It doesn’t matter what happens to those in the losing team or if my partner was comfortable and achieved an ৹rgasℳ.

If any of you have seen the KDrama series Dr. Cha, you would recall a scene where Dr. Cha’s MIL was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. While she laments about her illness, the other members of the household who are coincidentally doctors took the diagnosis as something ‘normal’ that happens in everyday practice. They were so logical about it, laying out treatment options and success rates while at the same time forgoing the most important aspect of being a doctor, having a sense of empathy.

Thus apathy is already observed within those who are learned or with the knowledge in situations that mean something bad, terrifying or with a poor prognosis. What more those who are minors that do not have much life experience? To them, it is just another shooting game, another movie or another séx scene. If apathy is allowed to linger for too long in an individual, they would not be able to understand the feeling of caring towards each other, being responsible and adopting a proper social role. There is a worry that they will become selfish when they couldn’t differentiate between personal empowerment and being a dick. Everything is just me, me, me.

It is MY individual right to make this decision

I am doing this for ME

Only MY happiness matters, why is everybody not respecting that?

Therefore when experts express their concerns about the influence of digital technology – do pay attention. Digital technology is not something that we could put a leash on nowadays. I have to admit, censorship can only do so much. Therefore, the onus is on adults with the awareness that part of being human is having the ability to be in other people’s shoes and have care towards one another.

Unhealthy MInds

Posted in Everyday Life, Ponderings & Personal Development by

We tend to think that once we come across someone who has mental health issues, it would be manageable. We would be one of the few who knows how to go about it because we have read about it online and asked for expert advice. We would be empathetic and non-judgemental. We would be supportive of that person. This is mostly true but here’s a secret. That is only possible if the person in question is properly diagnosed by the doctors. Otherwise, trust me, it is quite a challenge.

I have had the opportunity to witness two professional colleagues suffering from the same medical diagnosis. Each of them of course, presented with different symptoms. One sought medical help and is under treatment whereas the other, well, we’re still in the dark of whether there was a diagnosis in the first place or if treatment is ongoing or defaulted. Each of them managed their mental health issues differently and it is the latter colleague that got me questioning things about life.

The Brain

Putting it simply, mental health issues stem from a problem within the brain. It could result from a structural defect, a transmission glitch or a hormonal imbalance. It disrupts the function of the brain thus its manifestations externally. Since the brain is the command centre of our body, it would be very difficult to control it if it goes haywire. why am I saying this? Because the contrast in behaviour is so drastic whenever the sick part of the person takes over. With reference to a person with bipolar here.

On good days, this colleague is a team player. A friendly and great employee. However, on really bad days – this colleague ignores everything. Work, courtesy phone calls, even when the big bosses call. Interestingly, this colleague seems to have ‘no insight’ that when you go M.I.A, it puts the burden of tasks and responsibility to another person on an ad-hoc basis. I couldn’t find a better word to ‘no insight’ but what I am trying to say is that when these people reach their weakest point – they are stuck in that hole and no amount of high office power could summon them out from the darkness. Unless they are on therapy and have learned ways to cope with the early signs of the condition. Otherwise, one would have to just wait for the phase to dissolve.

It would be easier for other people around this person to work around the problems, if they had known about the mental health issue. It’s like we could together anticipate when the next phase will be and that contingency plans can be implemented if the colleague goes M.I.a again. Otherwise, it would be perceived as just another worker being lackadaisical and irresponsible.

It did however made me realize one thing – that we are replaceable at work. No matter how important we are at work. If one day you end up in an accident and land in ICU, there will always be someone who is able to cover up for you.