Part 7/11:
This digital desensitization has neurological consequences as well. Brain scans show reduced activity in the insular cortex, the region associated with empathy and emotional processing. Consequently, as societal empathy diminishes at the neural level, people become less capable of genuine compassion and understanding—perpetuating a cycle of dehumanization and moral disengagement.
The Danger of Hyperpartisan Divides
The political environment further exacerbates the problem. The increasingly polarized climate fosters moral superiority on both sides, where cruelty is justified as justice or righteous action. When outrage is weaponized, especially online, it often leads to a loss of perspective, where real injustices are overshadowed by fabricated or exaggerated slights.