SCIENCE AND EVEN SCI-FI MAKE US BETTER PEOPLE

[Daniel]

Recent studies suggest that those who read fiction become better at understanding and empathizing with others, particularly when those stories involve characters and cultures that are different or unfamiliar.


http://www.wired.com/2015/03/geeks-gu...

[Will]

Says Wired!

But we knew it already, didn't we?

[Micah]

Or do people who empathize with others just naturally gravitate toward fiction?

I have a problem with calling anyone "better."

[Micah]

He he, the name of the article's author.

"I spell my name...Danger."

[K.P.]

i read fiction and study psychology and still can't understand others. i dont lack empathy but the constant burnout is increasing the apathy though...

[D.L.]

Nice article. Thanks for the link.

[E.D.]

Modes of transportation change. Lethal distances of weapons change. Skirt lengths change.

Mankind? Eh....

[Gavin]

Better... hmm, not likely, but it does make our lives considerably more interesting :)

[S.]

He missed out on character. It's not uncommon to find myself sitting in a room with people who would strictly talk about non-fiction books and look at me weirdly when I say that I enjoy reading fantasy and sci-fi.

[Ray]

I agree. Reading about a neighbor or someone that is 95% similar to the reader, doesn't take a lot of stretch to feel comfortable in the story. A Sci-Fi story throws everything out the window and puts the reader in a position where they have to accept a ton of new concepts. That acceptance is what puts them in the 'alien's' shoes and uses their empathy to understand the story. That is what I love about Sci-Fi.