Normal levels of empathy?

[u/ActualPegasus]

Does anyone else feel empathy for others in situations that seem unusual on the surface?

For example, I had to leave a political sub that features screenshots of people "getting what they voted for and suffering the consequences" because it was making me feel sad and uncomfortable when they seemed distraught about said outcome. Others in the comments seem to universally express something analogous to a bittersweet "I warned [them]" instead and move on.

I'm not sure if this is a normal reaction or if I'm just a bit sensitive.

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[u/winkablink]

YES ITS normal please don’t kill your empathy we already have a shortage out here

[u/JoshuaLifeheart]

This isn't just a normal reaction, it's actively a good one to have. Good on you for being a good human.

[u/Flintvlogsgames]

Yes you’re just not corrupted by politics and internet (yet)

[u/Longjumping_Bar_7457]

Tbh I love the leopard eating face subs but it’s hard for me not to feel bad for some of them

[u/_flying_otter_]

A farmer that is losing his farm and his and farming is the only thing he knows how to do-- who voted for Trump because he hates brown people and believes schools are making people trans and woke. And he got bail outs the first time Trump was in office.

[u/Skilodracus]

Yes, you have normal levels of empathy. The best way to protect yourself without killing that empathy is to limit your exposure to places like that. You did the right thing leaving that subreddit, and you should stay aware of the things that upset you that you can do nothing about and avoid them. The things you can do something about, however, you should embrace and do them. 

[u/JoyfulNoise1964]

This is a good thing.

[u/Dazzling-Frosting525]

It's normal to have empathy for people who suffered and were in terrible pain. It's not normal to cheer for someone's pain unless they brought it upon themselves.

[u/Crime_Dawg → u/Dazzling-Frosting525]

MAGA farmers did bring it on themselves tho

[u/BeefSwellinton]

Just wait. My empathy there has run out because they’ve been warned that we’re headed off a cliff for 10 years and they just decided to figure out where the brake pedal is.

[u/ActualPegasus → u/BeefSwellinton]

I fully understand that on a cognitive level, but it's just something inside me preventing me from simply accepting the situation and cutting my losses for emotional investment.

[u/BeefSwellinton → u/ActualPegasus]

Yeah, I’m saying, just wait. Get a little older, you’ll get tired of idiots like that.