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Celebrating small kindnesses and basking in the little things.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Indifference


Elie Wiesel argues in his speech, The Perils of Indifference, that, "Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And therefore, indifference is always a friend to the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor--never his victim whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten."

Webster defines indifference as a "lack of interest or concern." In looking at these two definitions of indifference, it is necessary to look at our own indifference. I think we are all guilty of indifference at one time or another. As Wiesel questions if we do it for our sanity? To remain normal? He also cautions that indifference is dangerous. More dangerous than anger and hate.

I ask you to think about indifference. When have you watched indifference occur? Your witnessing of indifference may not ever be as dramatic as that of Elie Wiesel or soldiers in war. But I am sure it exists in our world. Perhaps you witness it here at school, at home, in Brunswick.

I watched one day, as a teenager, as my dog was hit by a car and no one stopped to help or check to see what could be done. My dog pulled herself out of the road and to the side where I picked her up to carry her in the house. Those who drove by were indifferent to her crying, to her struggle to move, to her dying. I do not know why? As the person who watched indifference be born, I was sickened by those who did nothing. I should also say, that I have also watched as individuals stepped up in other instances and did not allow indifference to be born. They helped when needed and reminded me of what it means to be part of the human race.

I want you to think about why people are indifferent?

Be mindful, that in this blog we are not to give names. We must respect others.

68 comments:

Matthais said...

I experienced indifference when one of my dogs was hit by a car. i was standing there when he was coming from across the street and i saw him get hit and i was so shocked i was ready to cry. so i go get my dad and we are out on the side of the road and know one cares as they drive by us ignoring the indifference of our crying.
i think people are indifferent because because they just dont care what is going on or dont have a enitial response on the subject.
Matthais Lohr

Maria said...

I have experienced indifference when there was a fight in my neighborood and my uncle got killed I was crying yelling for help, people just looked and kept walking.That time was my first time when i got to know how indifferent people were. People who doesn't care. But now that I think of it they didn't really help becaused they didnt wanted to be part of the prblem but still they should care about others.

39leader said...

i belive that indifference is the result of intimidation Mr.wiesel is correct in saying that indifference is more dangerous than hate but it is a resolt fear of the aggressor who has harmed the victim and wish to keep them selves safe though in other cases it is to pretend that nothing even happened and so lie to every one for indifferce divides men and turn one against each other

MartinaLovesMusic said...

I experienced indifference when I was watching a 20/20 tv special called "What Would You Do?" the purpose of the show is to come up with different scenarios to see how people would react. On one episode it showed two actors. One was a teenage boy that was to be coming out to his mother who was very uptight. No one knew that they were actors or that they were being videotaped. The "mother" started screaming at the boy and the boy started to cry. The "mother" said things about how he was not her son and that they could get him psychological help. Most of the people just ignored it, not seeming to care. Only 3 people in a span of three different days did anything to stop it. I'm not sure why no one said anything, but I was furious that no one stepped up. I think people are indifferent because they are more concerned with themselves to take care of other people, or they're just too arrogant.
~Martina Lukic 2*

Unknown said...

Indifference is everywhere anywhere I see it is in the football field during a game or practice. When I see it is when were down by a lot of points and nobody seems to have a sense of urgency when the ball is hiked or in practice when you don't start and just watch I see people laughing and talking and throwing the footballl like practice isn't even started yet I see indifference probably 10 times a day I think people should reconginize more when there being indifferent.

erdlycommaerin said...

i experienced indifference when i was 9 and riding my bike and i lost control because i went over a puddle of water. They people around me just looked at me and kept doing what they were doing. they didnt care that my leg was bleeding. I beleive people are indiffent because they are selfish and if they are not the one with the problem, they usually dont care.
*erin erdly 4/5*

ptoorxx3 said...

I don't really remember or have a good expirence of myself expierenceing indifference but I do have the expirence of watching it happen to others. Some kid walking down the hall way drops their stuff and everyone looks and either laughs at them or walks by and probably think thank god thats not me. Like have some dignity and instead of laughing at them help them. I know if it happen to them they would definitely want the help. I know I would if I could get through all the hall way traffic. I think people are indifferent because they think its not my problem why should I do anything. I mean really, just because it isn't happening to you doesn't mean you can't help out the person in need. And I personally believe karma will shoot a situation right back at them and show them how to feels to be ignored. I love helping people. So I believe indifferent is something that should be put aside.

Nicole said...

Indifference occurs often in the halls of Brunswick High, everytime a fight breaks out. Many gather to watch and see two teens hurt eachother and most do nothing about it.
It isn't right but these viewers are indifferent because they are interested in watching people hurt eachother no matter how hurt the fighters become.

Nicole said...

^Nicole Lorig

Anonymous said...

I have experienced indifference when I went to climb across the monkey bars,but instead I slipped. Falling straight in the mud with my wrist underneath myself. I was in pain, I thought I had broken my wrist because I couldnt move it. While everyone just stood there laughing and stairing at me not bothering to help me up. Right then at that moment I realized how indifferent people could be.
I think people are indifferent because they dont even bother to care for other people or they just don't want to get involved with what happens.

-Jordan M.-

Patty A said...

I have experienced indifference when i was mountain climbing and i almost fell off the cliff. I was wit my dad and four of my cousins climbing a mountain in Hinckly. we wer 300 feet off of the ground or something when my cousins say race you to the top. Well as they ran i tripped on some of the small pebbles that were rolling down while they were running. i started to roll with the pebbles down to the cliff. just as I was about to roll off a mountain climber came up over the side and stopped me. for some reason when i was sliding i couldnt move. i felt paralyzed and just sat there rolling. my family didnt even notice till i was almost to the edge.
Patrick Arthur

khaledmorra said...

i experienced indiffrence when i was 10 years old, skating at lakewood skatepark a couple years ago i tried to jump an 8 stair and the board flew up and hit me in the face and everyone just stared at me while i was laying on the ground bleeding, some didnt even care. i think people are indiffrent because they dont wanna stop what there doing to help someone else, or they dont care.

Filippo said...

I feel that i experience indifference often as well, and i completely agree with the person/people whom said that they see it in the halls. For example, if someone drops their books, or someone knocks them down, the majority of people just watch it happen and keep walking, not even asking if the kid is okay, not even imagining going over to help him/her to pick up their belongings. Another example is right before people fight and are screaming horrid things at each other, the people around start yelling fight! and other things that i cannot post on here. But anyway, my point is that the people yelling the comments do not care who the people are, or why they are about to fight, they just want to see the entertainment of a fight. People want to feel like they are "in" and "accepted" by watching the fight because people are going to be talking about it. I think that if you are the one being indifferent, then you are a bystander, and you are in the wrong by not standing out against the injustice and helping the victims. People should help the victim out next time they see indifference, or any bullying, no matter what the situation or consequences.

1st Period

alyssa said...

I do not personally experience indifference often, but I do see it frequently. One day I experienced indifference when I was walking through the halls on my way to class. It was raining and there were puddles of water on the floor. I did not see the puddles and slipped. I dropped my books as I was falling. Even though one of my friends was walking with me, she did not stop to help me up or help pick up my books. She was being indifferent just like the other people in the hallway. I was hoping someone would stop and help, but no one did. I think people are indifferent for many reasons. One reason is that they think they are too "good" to help or care about someone besides themselves. Another reason might be because they have been made fun of for helping someone who is not "cool" enough. That day I found out that indifference can hurt more than cruel intentions.

Alyssa E. 9th Period

Mitch said...

Indeiference is that on person who just keep walking when you drop your stuff or when soome one is making fun of you. They dont help you because it will make you look uncool. People just dont care. People are so involved in all the things they are doing and they dont notice the little kid who is lost or the little girl that is crying.They are so busy texting and trying to make themself look nice. Everyone has done it and if you havent good for you. You see some one looking like they are having a bad day and you think about helping them but then you start talking to your friend and you dont then later you feel giulty.
-Mitch Andzelik-

Unknown said...

I have seen, in my short life, some small acts of kindness that would make people indifferent. For example, my dog got off of his leash one day, and almost went into the road. We chased him into our neighbors yard, where she had helpled us retreve our little friend. Had she had not have been there, then he would have ran straight into oncoming traffic. I think that the reason why people are indifferent, is because they see someone in need, and they help them. Here it was out of common good that my neighbor helped me get my dog back. This is where I see why people are indifferent.

Alexandra Nash 17 said...

a time i was told about indifference was when my cousin, who works at the mall, was with a costomer. he was talking and all of a sudden a man on the other side just collasped. people walked by and stared and did absolutely nothing. my cousin called his manager and the man was taken care of. I think people are like this because they are selfish or they worry that they will be judged for who they help.

Unknown said...

I think we have all seen what some might call "indifference" in the forms of school bullying and fighting. We could accuse others of being indifferent, and indeed they are, for not interfering, defending or just "doing the right thing", but in reality we are as guilty as everyone else. Very few ever stand up the quiet, unpopular student who is constantly picked on, or disrupt fights, myself included. However, I think it is important to notice when nothing is done out of indifference, out of fear, or simply not knowing what to do. For instance, if I witness a fight break out between two students, just because I don't sprint in the middle and demand a cease fire, does not mean that I personally relish looking upon chaos, pain, and hate. How can I satiate two bigger boys' bloodlust? If the majority of the school population fears being too "different", how can one inspire? Of course "adults" with "education" should intervene for more serious cases, but one must realize that when they point the finger at the next generation; the school population, then they are also pointing the finger at themselves. Cold indifference is markedly different than the fear of the inexperienced. For those who are quick to accuse, I encourage you to read this story:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=544239

-John Shaw

NeferJendayi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Candice W said...

I experienced indifference three years ago. I was out skiing with my dad. It has rained a little during the day and then was frozen and snowed over. I was peacefully skiing down the hill when I skied over an ice patch, hit a chunk of ice, fell, and hit my head on the ice. I blacked out for a few seconds and don’t remember much but I do remember no one but my dad coming to see if I was ok. Even the ski patrol did nothing. I think people are indifferent because they don’t want to be involved. They don’t want to be seen helping someone after a fall or just checking to see if they are ok. It’s not “cool”. Maybe they just think there is nothing that they could possibly do. Life would be so much better if there was no indifference in people.
- Candice Wroten 2

Unknown said...

I witnessed indifference when an upperclassman was booked and pushed by another upperclassman, and his "friends" that he was walking with kept walking and even laughed. It was hard to believe that someone that was supposed to be your friend would just walk away and let somebody knock you around and not even care at all. I know that my friends would have spewed a few choice words in my defense at the person who was being mean and helped me off the floor. I can't imagine how that kid, lying in the middle of the hallway, must have felt as he watched his "friends" walk away laughing. I can only try to put myself in his shoes and state that I would feel like I had no friends and that no one cared what happened to me, which, I can only guess, would be the worst feeling of all.
I believe that people are indifferent because they fear what would happen to them if they did try to intervene and help in a stressful situation. They may be scared of what others would say, or scared that if they helped, the same thing would happen to them.
~Brooke C.~

Unknown said...

I myself have not experienced indiffernce but I see it in the hallways of Brunswick alot. When people get into fights is a great example. Crowds of students gather around watching other students hurt themselves. I also see indiffernce when kid's get bullied, I know theres times where I myself should of, could of, or would of said to help but I didnt because then I was afrad I'd be differnt. People need to stand up for indiffernce and what is right.
- Lexie G ( 2nd period )

Unknown said...

The only tim e i can think of wittnessing indifference is when i saw somebody shoplift at the mall. As the person was taking the article of clothing and running away as the cashier yelled for help and security, everybody stood around, watched, and did nothing. The person got away and then i heard everybody say, they would have done something or should have but they weren't close enough.

Hallie Benson

Adam said...

I have expierienced indifferece when I was in downtown Cleveland and I saw someone on the street. Noone had bothered to help him. I saw him sit there and beg for change, and no one even bothered to put a penny in his cup. I think people are indifferent because it inconveniences them to help others. They don't see a reward or an opportunity to get something out of it. When people are indifferent they only care about themselves. Indifferece exists because people are lazy and don't want to do anything.
-Adam Hribar

Jen said...

Indifference occurs everyday at Brunswick High School. In the hallways when there is a fight or people are spreading rumors about others, people continue to watch on the sidelines. instead people should step in to help. People are indifferent because they dont care, they would rather be entertained and amused than do something good and help other out. Indifference occurs everyday and most people do not do anything to prevent it.

Apple101 said...

People are indifferent because they don't want to get involved. I think that everyone has their own problems to deal with, and they just don't want to take on more. I think it must have started out with one person being indifferent, and it started a whole change. If one person stands up and helps someone else out, then it could start a chain reaction. This person stands up and helps someone else, and they help someone else, and they help someone, and so on. People are indifferent because other people are indifferent to them.

Indifference is everywhere. Someone falls and they don't get helped up. Someone asks for donations and they don't get payed any attention to. I experienced this after my uncle died, and instead of going to a math competion I would be at his funeral. My 'friend' told me I should just skip the funeral, who cares? I think she thought she was joking, but it still hurt. She was indifferent to my feelings.

~aPerkins~

Unknown said...

I experience indifference when i was on my way to camp one year. My mother and I were driving with the widows open and i had some clothes hanging on the little hanger that is next to the window. As we were driving I said to my mom "Mom, my skirt is going to fly out the window. I'm telling you, you got to close it!" She replied "No Hanna, it's going to be alright. It's not going to fly out the window." Sure enough it did. So we pulled into someones driveway. She gave us a very dirty look and closed her blinds. The road was 55mph and cars wernt stopping when I was franticly running in the street to get my skirt that someone had already ran over. I'll never forget that rude pick up driver who ruined my skirt. he was very indifferent.

-Hanna

Unknown said...

I experience indifference when i was on my way to camp one year. My mother and I were driving with the widows open and i had some clothes hanging on the little hanger that is next to the window. As we were driving I said to my mom "Mom, my skirt is going to fly out the window. I'm telling you, you got to close it!" She replied "No Hanna, it's going to be alright. It's not going to fly out the window." Sure enough it did. So we pulled into someones driveway. She gave us a very dirty look and closed her blinds. The road was 55mph and cars wernt stopping when I was franticly running in the street to get my skirt that someone had already ran over. I'll never forget that rude pick up driver who ruined my skirt. he was very indifferent.

-Hanna

Unknown said...

I have watched indifference occur when I was on youtube and the like this old guy was crossing the street and then all of a sudden two cars driving on the wrong lane came and hit the guy and when he was lying there people kept walking. People are indifferent because people don't like reaching out, interupting their daily routine, people like to be lazy, inconsiderate, and unthoughtful because that takes no effort.


Chris Fassih

Anonymous said...

I experience indifference every day at school. People seem to think that they can say anything, and it doesn't hurt anyone. I experienced indifference when I watched this movie called 'To Save A Life' At Life Teen this last sunday. The main character's best friend, Roger, was being made fun of for being different, so he felt like he should be heard. He open fired in the school, and then took his own life. The main character suddenly seemed to notice thing around him that were happening. And he changed himself. I think that people are indifferent because they just don't want to face the real world. They are all so caught up in Facebook, so they never really get a chance to actually SEE.
A. Plumlee

jake b said...

i experienced indifference when there was a kid in the hallway alone trying to get to class. But a group of bigger kids were harrassing him and trying to knock his books out of his arm. although there were teachers and students walking past no one did anything to stop the kids. This made me realize that people really are very indifferent and things need to change. Everyone can be a little nicer everyday to someone who may not have all of the extra things you have.

Unknown said...

I see indifference everyday. In the hallway, if someone drops their books, and no one helps pick them up. Instead people stand there and laugh or make comments. Also when fights break out and everyone just stands around watching instead of getting a teacher. I think indifference occurs because people can't be bothered to take a minute and help someone out. They don't want to become apart of it, or get involved. Everyone is guilty of indifference at some point in our lives. If we all just took the time to help someone, instead of ignoring them our world would truely be a better place.

~Sarah Cross~

Anonymous said...

A time where I have experienced indifference was at school. Actually, I see it everyday as I take my classes and walk through the halls, but this just happens to be an example. A girl dropped her books in the middle of the hallway; a huge stack of textbooks and binders. Papers flew in every direction, but people looked in every other direction as well. She was left to pick them up herself and the bell rang; reminding her that she was late, as were the others in the halls.
I believe that people choose to be indifferent because they do not wish to become apart of the situation, and they figured that whatever they had to do was more important and they didn't want to waste their time because they were too worried about themselves; just as I choose to be indifferent. I think we can be too lazy to the point that we can't even help out another fellow human being in their time of assistance.

Unknown said...

I have experienced indifference in many ways. One of the most common ways is in the hallways at school. I see kids drop their books all the time and no one ever stops to help including me. I am not sure if the other kids are worried about being late to their class or just do not want to be bothered. Most of the time I just do not want to be late to class, but other times it just seems like too much of a hassle to try to move through the crowded hallway to help someone. I know that if I was the person who dropped their books I would want someone to help me. I am not exactly sure why people are indifferent. They may not want to have to deal with getting involved or they might have a good reason for not doing something.

~Kaitlyn R.

marie:) said...

I have experienced indifference when there was a fight in school and everyone swarmed around the two kids rather than trying to find a teacher.Instead of doing the right thing they encourged the wrongdoing of hurting the other person. I tried to stay away from the indifference and found a teacher.

Lexi 9thperiod said...

I remember experiencing indifference when I was maybe 9 or 10 years old. My little brother, who was only 3 or 4, was running along the sidewalk towards a busy road. My family and I kept calling him to stop, because it was almost night and I remember there being a lot of cars and trucks going too fast. He almost got hit by a car. I caught him on the arm just in time. What bothered me is that there were people standing right there, who could have easily stopped him. I know it may seem awkward to some people but he could have been really hurt. I was upset that people would have just let a little kid run into the road and get hit by a car. I think people are indifferent because they don’t know what to do or are just more concerned with their own lives and don’t care about others.

Unknown said...

I experienced my sister being bullied by this one girl on my street and i just sat there because I was too scared to do anything. My sister went off crying and I felt terrible for not helping her. I think people are indifferent because they are selfish and only want the best for themselves and not others.

Sean McClain said...

When I was in 6th grade, a fight broke out between two 8th graders. They were beating each other mercilessly, until one finally went down. The person still standing jumped on the guy on the ground, and started pounding his face in. The guy was barely conscious, and his nose was bleeding. The guy on top kept hitting him, until his knuckles were stained by the blood of the guy he was beating. Everyone around them just watched as the two of them fought. Eventually, a teacher pulled them apart. No one stepped in and tried to stop the two of them. All of our indifference made sure that one kid ended up in the hospital.

I think we practiced the indifference because of fear for our personal safety. We were sure that we would be pulled into the middle of the fight if we stepped in, and no one was brave enough to do it.

Nicole R said...

Indifference is a human characteristic, as horrid and disturbing as it is. I think certain people find it more necessary to separate themselves from the concerns of others because they don't want to feel burdened by something that isn't their responsibility or they just simply don't care anymore. I don't believe it is a natural trait, but rather a learned one. Recent generations have continuously learned negative characteristics from the previous ones, and we've intensified and spread them. As disgusting as indifference may be, it has become inevitable.
I recall one time when I was sitting in my college reading a novel quietly. An old, crippled man walked up to the doors in a walker. He couldn't reach the handle to take himself out, and clearly required assistance. "Excuse me?" He'd called politely. Nobody came to answer him. I was quite a distance down the hall, and I stood to help him. It would take me at least a minute to get there, but it seemed better to go than to ignore him all together. Surely someone will get there before me, but it won't hurt to help, I thought. Nobody did. I was the one to help him outside, and he was standing in a lobby full of people who didn't move to his aid. I was sickened by the behavior of them all, and it hurt to look at them. A part of me kept seeing the kind face of that man light up when I'd opened the door for him and wondering why our world had come to this. I kept denying in my mind that it had, that I had overestimated the time he stood there waiting for help. A part of me knew I didn't.

Anonymous said...

Indifference, sadly, exists in many places within this world. People have seemed to get more and more caught up in their own lives that they no longer care for the wellbeing of others. We continually ask ourselves, “What’s in it for me?” and if the answer is nothing, we decide that it isn’t worth it, it isn’t worth our time. All of this is true, but humans are not completely selfish monsters as some of these blogs seem to describe. Sometimes people come off as indifferent when they are afraid. Like in bullying, a person may see one getting picked on and want to help him, but is too afraid that the bully will turn on them if they try to help. I am not saying that this is an excuse for people to just pass bullies by in any way, but being a coward and being indifferent are two different things. Back in middle school there was this one boy who picked on everyone, and I mean everyone. Whether it was to their faces or behind their backs, he had a cruel remark for any person he saw. Still, no one would try to stop him, the main reason being that they were afraid that he would only start even harsher rumors than before. I was one of the few treated the worst by this bully and though I had done nothing wrong, I was put down because he thought it made himself “popular.” Only worse, the lack of response from the friends of his victims only caused them to think that less and less people cared about them. To this day I do not understand why a person would ever hurt people to that extent. It was not fair and it was not right. I have to admit that I am guilty of occasionally ignoring a person when I could have helped them, and then later trying to justify the aversion with thoughts like, “I was going to be late for class,” or, “They wouldn’t have wanted my help anyway, they had everything under control.” Nevertheless, just as it is said that the smallest action can brighten a person’s day, doing nothing can ruin a person’s lifetime.

Morgan 2

grace said...

When someone is being bullied, beat, or just in need of assistance, you don't think they will be left there, unattended, or unaided. You figure you'll find enough courage to help them, or that someone else will. But many are paralyzed by fear, and many other emotions, whether they will admit to it or not.
I don't know about you, but when I start daydreaming in math class I don't think about watching all the fights in the halls, I think of stopping them. And when that girl in the hall, you know, the one who carries her whole locker with her, drops everything 'cause some jerk "accidentally" bumped her, I feel awful when I don't get there first to help her. I don't turn the other way, as many of you admit to doing. I have stopped fights, and yep, the bullies pursued me, but I still helped the next person, and the next.
To be indifferent there must be " no difference", and it seems to me, since so many of these commenters remember numerous acts of indifference, that it really isn't indifference. These people were affected by it, they felt a difference. They do feel bad for, and remember leaving you there in the hall, scattered.
-Grace Shank

Unknown said...

i have experinced indifference when my grandma died. i was all alone in the back room and as people walked past they just ignored the fact that i was in there. i dont think they wanted to bother me because of the event that just happened. i would have been nice to have a little support.
megan 4/5

hallie314 said...

I see indifference so much. Looking around at school, I see kids insulting other students at the high school, teachers, and teammates as if those being insulted didn't have feelings. I think people forget that everyone is human and takes what other people say personally. Insulting others is just one way people show indifference. My friend told me about a show call "What Would You Do?" Actors go into public places like restuarants, malls, parks, etc. The actors put on a scene where one is verbally abusing the other (whether it was about race, weigt, or other topic), pretending to be complete strangers. Nobody witnessing on the streets knows that the people are actors and that there are hidden cameras all over. The point of the show is to see if people would either step up and say something, or just stand by and watch without helping the victim. It's interesting to see how many people can watch someone get hurt and not do anything about it. It just goes to show how indifference exists outside of the walls of Brunswick High School and most of the time, unfortunately, it doesn't go away, even as we get older.

hallie314 said...

The last one is Hallie Riczo 4/5

Unknown said...

I think that people are indifferent because they do not know the whole story, are afraid to get involved or fear that their own personal agenda will be set back. They see a man on the side of the road not moving and they think it is just a prank or that if they stop to help this man then they will be running late. Later they see a story on the news about this man and find out that he was hit by a car and no one decided to help or even call an ambulance, because of indifference.
We all experience indifference on a day to day basis but most of the time you do not realize it or you do not think much of it. One time where I can remember indifference affecting me was when I was about 8 years old. My parents bought me a hamster. It was our first pet. We only had our hamster for about six months when we were told that she was sick and did not have long to live. Being the youngest in the family, I got very upset and started spending more time with her, playing with her for hours on end. Every time that my father saw me with our hamster all he did was roll his eyes. He did not care that she was slowly dying, and he did not care how I felt because of it. This hurt me greatly until the day she died.
Why did my dad act this way? Why was he indifferent to my feelings or our dying hamster? Maybe he was accustom to small rodents dying or thought it would be no big deal to replace her but he surely didn’t think of how his actions affected me. We never did get another hamster.

Anonymous said...

I experience indifference a lot at school. I see it almost everyday in the hallways of Brunswick High School. If a fight breaks out nobody tries breaking it up they just watch the fight. I also see indifference in the hallways when someone drops their books. Nobody helps the person pick up their things. Everyone just watches the person and laughs at them. I think people are indifferent because they don't care about anyone but themselves. Many people are also indifferent, I think, because they are ignorant.

Anonymous said...

the last one is emily 1st period

Unknown said...

Walking through the halls of Brunswick High School I see indifferance almost everyday. While it may be true that some people are not willing to help I think most people will help if they know what to do. When my Grandmother slipped on the ice and was unable to get up, the cars that drove past didn't help her because they did not see her. they were not trying to ignore her. looking back on the scene I do not blame the drivers who drove by her. They were simply driving down the road. When something like this happens many people are willing to help. One of my grandmothers neighbors helped her into her apartment and called the ambulance. If they did not see her fall it would be unfair to say that they were indifferant and did not care that she was hurt. Everyone can not know what is going on all the time. i could just have easily drove down a street and passed someone like my grandmother who fell down and could not get up. some people may not run to help but many will call for help.

Corey McComas said...

Indifference happens all the time. People may not realize it, but it does. A good place to find indifference is in the hallways of Brunswick High School. The indifference can be as simple as someone dropping their books and no one bothering to help them gather them, or as serious as a full-out fist fight between two students. Sometimes I feel bad just standing by and watching, because I really want to help. But I never brought myself up to it. I just continued on walking, like nothing happened. To me, I think people show indifference because they just don't care about the world around them. Everyone is just self-centered and just worries about themselves. We brush it off like it's nothing, when we really should go out of our way to be that one person that helps.

Alexia C said...

I encountered indifference as a young girl. I was around eight and my little brother and I were riding our bikes around the neighborhood. We were headed towards a culd de sac so we rode around in circles for a pretty long time. Then out of no where, an enormous truck pulled in, alerting my little brother to move out the way; leading a six year old boy to panic and crash into a mail box. I jumped off my bike and ran as fast as I could to check if he was alright. The man in the truck rolled down the window and said "Sorry bud. Watch out next time." I was furious. How could a grown man be so indifferent towards a young boy? Now that I am older,I understand that some people are just selfish and lack maturity through out their whole life. If you are indifferent you simply do not care, you don't worry about solving problems, you have absolutely no sympathy and you aren't brave enough to stand up for yourself or others.

iRun310 said...

Although this is not an extreme case of indifference but it is one time I did experience a minor run in with it. I was at family party with my Dad and his friends where there. They were talking about sports and I made a comment/ prediction about a sporting event that was happening in the near future. Since I was a younger kid they just tossed my opinion out the door. They chuckled and didn't believe it would actually happen. It angered me because I knew it could happen but they did not. It turns out a couple days later, the prediction I made did happen. I think people are indifferent because they are mainly focused on them and don't really bother to take time for others. They just watch out for only there family or even just them.
Kevin S. 1 period

Kathleen said...

Indifference is something that we all have. It is hopefully not as extreme as watching a child struggle with a suffering pet though. I am indifferent to a few things, to a certain level. An example would be me not caring of my mother, but I wouldn’t exactly watch her suffer and turn the other cheek, that being the human instinct to nurture. I have experienced indifference. When my mother left my family she was obviously indifferent to us. She was able to see my brother’s tears and hear my fathers’ begs and still close the door behind her. People are indifferent because of the way the world is becoming. They put themselves first. They would rather pass a dying dog in the street then take the risk of being late to wherever they were going. It's embarrassing how selfish modern society is becoming. Society is becoming more and more indifferent each day.

Unknown said...

I experienced indifference one day when I was walking into school and I slip on a huge puddle of water. I crashed onto my knees. I wanted to be asked if I needed help or if I was okay but no one did anything. They were being indifferent. It sad when my friend wouldn't even say something even though she was staring right at me. I think people are indifferent because they believe that they are too good to care or that they really don't care about what's going on. Indifference should not be as big as a problem as it is now.

Allie said...

I experienced indifference when someone was being picked on at swimming and no one bothered to help them. I think people are indifferent because they are selfish and don't care about the saftey of others.

Unknown said...

I experienced indifference when I lost my mother in Kohl's department store. Me being lost may not seem a big deal, but at the time I was young, and very scared. Since I was so little, everything and everyone around me seemed so big. I was crying and calling for my mom, no one even came to help me. Eventually I found someone to help. All the others who saw me and did not care to ask if I needed any help showed indifference. It made me feel lonelier than before.
I think people are indifferent either because they really just don't care, or are too afraid to show that they really do.
-Liz M. 2

matt said...

People are indifferent in many ways. People can be indifferent because of at home problems, kids making fun of them, or medical issues. An example of indifference in my life is when I saw this homeless man sitting outside with very little clothes and in the Winter time. I saw at least 50 people walk by him and give no concern. When I walked by him I gave him a five dollar bill and a white t-shirt that I got at a cavs game. I was very hurt when I saw those careless people walk by them.
Matt Saxon

Unknown said...

I have felt indifference when I was at skating rink and I fell on the ice really hard were I was just laying there. No one came to see if I was on or if needed help up. People just skated by and acted like I wasn't there.

Pete said...

I experience indifference even in the hallways at Brunswick High School. The hallways obviously consist of all different types of people. Some people are constantly judging others and the people being judged think nothing of it. Afterwards rumors start to spread and the people being judged are then hurt. It just goes to show how ignorant and indifferent people can be. I feel terrible after what goes down in the hallway and it will never go away.

- Pete

Unknown said...

I saw indifference shown just last week, when I was at a store with my dad. A man in a wheelchair had a few grochery bags on him, and he was struggling to open an unautomated door. People were passing In and out right by him, showing no intention of stepping up to help him. I ended up going across the room to open the door for this man for which he thanked me with a smaile and a genuine look of relife. I feel its terrible to sit by and watch something suffer or struggle , and not putany effort to reach out at all. Its selfish and inhumane and indifference is the main cause of suffering in out world in my opinin

Unknown said...

sorryI forgot to post that ale96b is Slex Boac :)

Unknown said...

As many others, indifference has been experienced by me when I see bullying occur. As Wiesel states,"And therefore, indifference is always a friend to the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor--never his victim whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten". As a bully, indifference will give him or her the persistence to continue to hurt and inflict pain on others. One occurrence I have seen of indifference was when a student of the same school continually pushed a new student into the lockers, and called her names and made her feel as if she was worthless. When she thought that nobody cared, because nobody was stopping this indifference, she went into a deep depression. She stopped eating, did not talk, became angry, and hated life. She knew she was not going to go any farther then depression, but finally, her friends noticed her pain and confronted the bully and put a stop to all the indifference. Thankfully, the young girl never was bullied again because she knew her friends would always be by her side to stop the indifference. People are indifferent because they believe by being harsh and cruel that they gain a sense of power through infliction of pain onto others. Truly, there are two people being hurt during this time. The person doing the hurt and the one receiving it. Nobody could ever benefit from indifference.

Jeremy Phifer said...

Indifference comes from assumption. People assume that when there is a problem that other people will take care of it. They believe that what they are doing is more important than what others are doing and so they should be the ones who help the victims. When someone is on the side of the road calling a friend for help people rarely stop to help, when we see a child who looks lost most will walk by with maybe a passing comment to a friend. The human race has become indifferent because we assume that those with less importance will do it, but also because we are afraid. We live in a world of fear, in a nation of victims. We are afraid that we will stop to help and get wrongfully accused. We are afraid that the person we stop to help will not be who they appear to be. We have been taught to be indifferent. We have been told to mind our own business, that it is not our problem. Although it is more common to be taught to help others, there is still indifference in this world, there are still people suffering while others stand by and watch.

Fabian said...

I experienced indifference once when I saw an old lady trying to cross the street fast enough to avoid holding back traffic. The driver must have been in a real "emergency" because he went right past her when the street sign turned green and she didn't reach the other side, almost driving her over in the process.
I think people are indifferent because they find it much easier to not get involved, and as a result indifference has become a socially normal response to people who need help.

ScarlettWaterRose said...

why are people indifferent? I've thought about this question all week, and truthfully i never thought that i had really faced indifference before. indifference is defined as "Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy (dictionary.com). I'm not saying my life is perfect,but most of my situations in my life have been full of drama that is sucks people in BECAUSE of its interest.
Last night it really hit me hard.I was watching competition practice and a girl that most of people on her team don't like fell onstage. all day people have fallen,but the worst part is that when this girl fell no one on the whole team bothered to help her.one of the coaches had to pick her up off the stage and no one even bothered to ask if she was ok.
I think people are indifferent because they are afraid to care.I think they are afraid to care because they are scared of other people and what other people think.
kree mcmonigle

Megan McNamara said...

Indifference is present all of the world and I have also experienced it. Numerous times at various grocery stores, there would be a melancholy man or woman, ringing a bell, asking for donations for the Salvation Army. Everyone simply strolled by, intentionally ignoring them. People feel like others will help this charity, but if everyone is thinking this, who will help? I am also guilty of passing by these people in red, ringing the bells. I would give them money, but i have none myself.

Unknown said...

Indifference can be present in many different situations. For example, ignoring a hurt child who has fallen from their bike or not giving attention to a shivering person standing alone in the cold. I have watched indifference occur when a student or peer drops their books in the hallway and most everyone else avoids eyecontact and slivers around the person; not caring or showing any interest in helping. I think that people show indifference because they think their own lifes are more important, but really it's others who keep you going. Indifference is throughout the world, and rubs off on everyone else.
Claudia Krah

Unknown said...

i experienced indifference when i was little. i was driving with my family to visit my aunt and we were on the highway and there was a car that had a tire that blew out. everyone just drove by but my parents pulled over to see if we could help. i think indiffert people are kind of selfish. they could of helped out.

Unknown said...

i experienced indifference when i was little. i was driving with my family to visit my aunt and we were on the highway and there was a car that had a tire that blew out. everyone just drove by but my parents pulled over to see if we could help. i think indiffert people are kind of selfish. they could of helped out.