We are still capable of "humanity"

[themadscientist]

This simple experiment with a cardboard robot and a request for help has done more to give me hope for humanity that every Facebook like ever clicked. What a clever way to see what people are capable of! Maybe there is hope for the self-impressed low-context hairless apes that dominate this poor planet.

[Captain Snooze]

I am going into argument mode in 4,3,2,1 *friendly argument mode engaged*

1/ Humanity is a collective noun (in this case).
2/ Humanity is composed of exceptional do gooders (Doctors without Borders), nasty despots (Pol Pot) and everyone in between.
3/ I do not average "humanity". That is, I do not say "people mostly are good" but take individuals and groups as they come. To paraphrase your statement "What a clever way to see what some people are capable of!"
4/ The example given in the video shows some people doing the "right" thing but their effort was minimal. That is, their help was momentary and did not inconvenience them to any great degree.
5/ I've been drinking and will probably delete my post when reading it sober.

*Disengage disengage disengage*

[VTR]

Deeply complex subject "humanity"

As said some are "good" and some are "bad",those defintions based on the fundamental model of doing no harm.

It's largely true that people will assist when they see another human or an animal in distress or help out with certain things when another needs help.

Acts of Kindness occur every day but also acts of unkindness so there's a constant flux between these two on the globe playing out countless billions of times.

Learning how to see what people think when helping like this is valid as much as it is to be looking into the same for anti-social and aberrant actions.

[themadscientist]

My use of quotes was not an accident. Many people use that term to describe only acts of kindness, but as has been correctly pointed out, the reality runs the gamut from benevolence to cruelty.

I have a very low expectation of my fellow humans, the "walkers" ambling around, face down, typing useless, often destructive crap, ignoring the world around them and claiming they are "social."

To see average people, first, notice anything was unexpected. To see them assess a little toy beseeching them for assistance and decide to help with no reward evident or expected and go then about their business, or, even more amazing, engage in conversation with another human being, a stranger, and work together to solve a problem that didn't involve clicking a "like" button or doing some mindless "trending" thing so they could feel relevant, just, I'm staggered.

I'm amazed, I'm glad to be demonstrated wrong because if my idea of what people really are were confirmed it would be terrible.

Roll on little robot!

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

5/ I've been drinking and will probably delete my post when reading it sober.

I tend to think like this whenever im drinking and posting on the forum.