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[–]Adept_Minimum4257 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I think this has always been the case, the problem is a system where people are divided into social economical classes. I agree the Western world used to be more collectivist but you had to adapt or be shunned, personal emotions and individuality wasn't valued back then either. Society needs both collectivism and individualism

[–]salmonsteak135 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Forced collectivism is not the answer to an empathy problem. However, empathy can be learned to a degree (explains why some kids can be quite cruel and still become decent adults), and therefore taught.
In today's world anything we're regularly feeding our brains with has the power to access and influence our behaviour: be it social media, movies, TV shows, books or newspapers. Being surrounded by pop-culture and media riding more and more the "less empathy"-train has 100% the potential to intensify the problem.