COVID and Compassion: 'Our Brains Aren’t Apathetic, They’re Lazy'

The video explores how compassion drives behavior and how our minds can mislead us in empathizing with large groups. Paul Slovic, a psychology professor, explains the 'flawed arithmetic of compassion,' where empathy decreases as the number of people in distress increases. This phenomenon is illustrated by the short-lived surge in donations following a viral image of a refugee child. The video suggests ways to strengthen compassion, such as focusing on individual stories and practicing mindfulness.

In what ways does the human brain's laziness impact our response to crises?

What strategies does Slovic suggest for enhancing our compassion?