Musk is Wrong. Empathy is Not a Weakness
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“The fundamental weakness is empathy,” Musk recently told radio podcast host Joe Rogan. “There is a bug, which is the empathy response.” As Musk has established himself as at least the second most powerful person in an administration seeking a wholesale remaking of institutions, rules and norms, what he said matters, because it encapsulates a …

“The fundamental weakness is empathy,” Musk recently told radio podcast host Joe Rogan. “There is a bug, which is the empathy response.”

As Musk has established himself as at least the second most powerful person in an administration seeking a wholesale remaking of institutions, rules and norms, what he said matters, because it encapsulates a political plan. What the Project 2025 report set out in over 900 turgid pages, Musk’s remark captures in a simple pithy mantra for the social media age.

  • Wanpieserino@lemm.ee
    3·
    1 day ago

    Wasn’t the opinion of my psychologist about me. She told me I’m mildly autistic and that I show little empathy.

    For example I saw a dead pigeon on the bike lane and my concern was: my wife behind me might ride over it and be distressed.

    And it’s not that I care about her being distressed if I’m saying the truth. It’s that her distress would be a pain to handle. That the bike would be dirty which would cause further distress to my wife.

    Her response to seeing the dead pigeon was that she thought it was sad.

    Empathy is tricky 🤷🏻‍♂️ the only thing I feel about this truly, is guilt. But that’s all.

    • moitoi@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      2·
      11 hours ago

      I’m not doing diagnosis. But, a psychologist that use “mildly autistic” should not be taken seriously on the topic. There is no level. The DSM 5 TR has level of support. It’s very different and these levels can vary from one moment to an other (even in the same day).

      More about this in this journal article by Steven Kapp which is an autistic researcher.

      Profound Concerns about “Profound Autism”: Dangers of Severity Scales and Functioning Labels for Support Needs

      You show “little empathy” in comparaison with what? The neuronormativity? This is already an issue. We don’t have to compare to neurotypical. We have to validate how autistics shows empathy, emotions, etc. Often, it’s by resolving problems. E.g.: This is making you sad so we resolve the problem and you will be better. Advocating for someone is another. Sounds similar to what you wrote about your wife. It’s often called “cognitive empathy”. This is entirely valid!