Reply To: The stereotype of lacking empathy

[Stephen]

For me it would be my inability to see how my words affect other people. I grew up not knowing my own emotions, (alexithymia) so it is difficult to know how others feel. I think this is perceived as lacking empathy. If I find out I have hurt someone, I genuinely feel bad.

I assume also that learning earth shattering information affects others the same as it affects me. I am very stoic and can pursue information wherever it leads without getting emotionally invested mostly. And understanding leads to very dark places sometimes. Some people dont want to understand reality. That was a hard pill to swallow as an adult. The online scientific community was my savior.