The Future of Feeling: Building Empathy in a Tech-Obsessed World

by Kaitlin Ugolik Phillips

I wondered if any of us—myself included—had really considered how our words would impact one another.

compassion is feeling for someone; empathy is feeling with them.

“vaguebooking.”

passive-aggressive or vaguely concerning post on Facebook or another social-media platform without mentioning any names or specific details, leaving commenters to wonder what’s up.

young people who made posts like this tended to be lonelier and in some cases even more prone to suicidal ideation.

phubbing, or ignoring the people around you in favor of your phone.

trolls or not—who start or join conversations with the sole intent of winning.

I’ve never changed anyone’s mind or convinced them to see things my way in these gamified conversations. I never furthered any cause or helped myself come to peace with awful things in the world. I just raised my blood pressure, lost a few friends, and pissed off some family members.

We have just become so overwhelmed by the number of people and feelings and conversations this tool opens us up to that we’ve squandered our emotional energy,

Another Round (hosted by Tracy Clayton and Heben Nigatu,

Dear Sugars (an advice podcast hosted by writers Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond),

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Conversations with People Who Hate Me, hosted by writer and YouTuber Dylan Marron.

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