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So a few years ago, I came up with a theory that the level of jackassery is directly proportional to population density - that the more people you live around, the more people you would have to care about and eventually you just give up. It turns out that science backs it up with the awesomely named Monkeysphere number - which is 150 for humans. Basically, we can think about 150 people as "real people" until we start to consider them as objects. How you might say "Hi" to your family and co-workers, but ignore the bus driver or garbage man because you view them as "the thing that takes me places" and "the thing that takes the trash away."
I wonder if there is a way to "re-wire" the Monkeysphere. I have no problem considering consequences to others for almost every action I make, but I also find myself emotionally distant. Maybe that's the trade-off for bringing too many people into the Monkeysphere. I view society as a business, with everyone having a job to do and the goal being to make a "profit" in the form of technological or societal advancements. If someone gets hurt or dies, my first thought isn't "Oh, the poor family," but more about the impact on society based on what that person would have or could have contributed.
Anyways...MONKEYSPHERE! I'm honoured that my little theory is associated with such a great term. Monkeysphere, monkeysphere, monkeysphere :lol:
EDIT: Now that I think about it, it's like I have no Monkeysphere and everyone is considered an object. I've assigned them default actions, and also given myself actions to allow them to carry on with as little disruption as possible.
I wonder if there is a way to "re-wire" the Monkeysphere. I have no problem considering consequences to others for almost every action I make, but I also find myself emotionally distant. Maybe that's the trade-off for bringing too many people into the Monkeysphere. I view society as a business, with everyone having a job to do and the goal being to make a "profit" in the form of technological or societal advancements. If someone gets hurt or dies, my first thought isn't "Oh, the poor family," but more about the impact on society based on what that person would have or could have contributed.
Anyways...MONKEYSPHERE! I'm honoured that my little theory is associated with such a great term. Monkeysphere, monkeysphere, monkeysphere :lol:
EDIT: Now that I think about it, it's like I have no Monkeysphere and everyone is considered an object. I've assigned them default actions, and also given myself actions to allow them to carry on with as little disruption as possible.