Losing Our Humanity: Ambulances, Cancel Culture, and Everyday Apathy

Welcome to the era of Peak Humanity Failure, where our empathy fits into a tweet, our outrage earns likes, and our inaction hides behind excuses.

 

Whether it’s refusing to budge for an ambulance or canceling someone’s existence over a differing opinion, we’re setting records in moral ineptitude. Let’s peel back the layers of our collective apathy and misplaced fury, shall we?

Scene 1: The Ambulance You Ignored

You’re stuck in traffic, staring at a sea of cars as an ambulance wails in the distance. You could move a little, maybe create some space. But hey, that might delay your arrival at the office—or worse, your dinner plans. And so, you stay put, scrolling through Instagram reels or watching YouTube tutorials titled “5 Hacks to Be a Better Person.” Irony, anyone?

Inside that ambulance is someone’s loved one, clutching at the edge of life. Outside, you’re too busy deciding whether you’ll get Thai or Italian for dinner. This is no exaggeration. Our apathy on the roads is a perfect microcosm of our indifference in life.

And it doesn’t stop there. Remember your co-worker who lost a parent last year? You texted, “Here if you need anything,” and probably even meant it—for about a week. Fast forward to today: have you asked how they’re holding up? Probably not. Why? Because grief, unlike your Netflix queue, isn’t binge-worthy. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Scene 2: Cancel Culture’s Public Execution Arena

Now, let’s pivot to the digital world, where cancel culture reigns supreme. It used to be that we idolised celebrities for their talent—an actor’s performance, a cricketer’s innings, or a singer’s voice. But in 2024, that’s not enough. If your favorite cricketer celebrates a festival in a way that doesn’t align with your beliefs, it’s betrayal. If their spouse posts something “offensive” (read: different from your views), it’s double betrayal. Welcome to the Hunger Games of morality.

Take a cricketer who posts about bursting crackers during Diwali. If you’re anti-fireworks, you’ll scream “climate hypocrite!” If they light a diya instead, you’ll ask, “Why so minimalist? Celebrate like a real Indian!” They literally cannot win. And let’s not forget their partners, who apparently carry the burden of their public image. A poorly-worded caption by a celebrity’s spouse, and suddenly, their entire family deserves the digital guillotine.

Actors fare no better. They can’t even breathe without being scrutinised. Speak up about politics? You’re told to “stick to acting.” Stay silent? You’re “complicit.” Heaven forbid they recycle one tweet or wear the same dress twice—it’s a scandal!

Then there’s the influencer who donates to charity and shares it online. Cue the “They’re just doing it for clout!” brigade. Meanwhile, if they stay silent about their good deeds, we label them selfish. Apparently, we all graduated summa cum laude from the School of Impossible Standards.

Scene 3: Everyday Apathy: Humanity on Auto-Pilot

But let’s bring it closer to home. Cancel culture may trend online, but offline, our apathy is equally stunning.

Remember that time you saw someone collapse at the bus stop? Did you rush to help? Or did you stand there pretending to call someone while secretly recording the incident for your TikTok? The answer is probably as uncomfortable as those gym selfies you keep posting for validation.

Or how about when your neighborhood delivery guy slipped and dropped your package? Did you rush to help him or stand there yelling, “You broke my stuff!” Because, you know, your new phone case is definitely worth more than someone’s dignity.

We also love our heroes—until they stop being useful. During the pandemic, we clapped for doctors and nurses, called them “angels,” and posted tearful tributes. But the moment hospitals demanded better wages and working conditions? Crickets. Apparently, our gratitude comes with an expiration date.

The Root of It All: Comfort Over Compassion

So, what’s behind this moral black hole? Simple: we value convenience over conscience.

1. Moving for an ambulance? Inconvenient.
2. Checking on a grieving friend? Emotionally taxing.
3. Accepting that celebrities are human? Effort.
4. Helping a stranger in distress? Time-consuming.

Outrage, on the other hand, is easy. It takes two seconds to comment “Cancel them!” and even less effort to scroll past someone in need. Empathy requires effort, and let’s face it, we’d rather exert that energy refreshing our Instagram feed.

How Do We Find Humanity in a World of Outrage?

Good news: humanity isn’t extinct—it’s just on life support. Here’s how we revive it:

1. Move for Ambulances, Both Literal and Metaphorical
   
2. It’s not just about pulling over; it’s about stepping up when others need space to breathe—whether that’s on the road or in life.
3. Cancel the Cancel Culture
   
4. Hold people accountable, yes. But understand that mistakes don’t define someone forever. Growth deserves applause, not annihilation.
5. Check In, Long After It’s “Trending”
   
6. Don’t stop caring once the sympathy train leaves the station. Real empathy lasts beyond the first wave of attention.
7. Focus on Intent, Not Perfection
   
8. Before judging someone’s choices—be it a tweet, a donation, or a political stance—ask yourself if their intent outweighs the flaws in execution.
9. Be Kind Without the Spotlight
   
10. Kindness isn’t a PR stunt. Help a stranger, defend someone online, or just listen without expecting applause.

Final Thought: Are You Part of the Problem?

This article isn’t just a roast of society; it’s a mirror. Are you blocking ambulances, canceling celebrities, or ignoring your grieving friends? If yes, congratulations—you’re part of the problem. But here’s the thing: you can choose to be part of the solution instead.

So, the next time you’re about to rage-tweet or scroll past someone in need, pause. Remember, humanity isn’t just about what we say; it’s about what we do when no one’s watching.

References:

1. Psychology Today discusses the growing concerns about empathy erosion in modern society and how technology plays a role in shaping these behaviours. Read More
2. The Harvard Gazette provides insights into cultural narcissism and how it feeds into cancel culture. Learn more.