Thoughts

OK, so there has been some talk about a horrible incident caught on film: supposedly a 2 year old girl in China was hit and run over by a truck, then ignored, run over again, and finally helped after several witnesses passed by. Japan Today reports that doctors say the girl is in a coma now and will probably not survive. You can watch the video on YouTube but be warned, it is very graphic and disturbing. I am not posting a link here.

I am reminded of several similar incidents: people watching a New Yorker struggle and die of a stab wound while doing nothing, countless reports of women being raped in parks or public places while onlookers watch or try not to watch what's happening, and so on and so on. I was going to post a link to the few events I particularly remember, but in searching for articles I found too many others just like them, enough to turn your stomach.

What does all this mean? Is modern society total shit? Are we so concerned with our own safety or comfort that we consciously drown out cries for help? Or (more likely I think) are we so closed off from the outside world that we don't even hear their screams?

I don't know if I have anything to add to the discussion. I hope the girl lives.

Or better yet, I hope the video turns out to be a fake.