The 'lack of empathy' has been termed one of the central problems of our contemporary society. Although the western citizen is generally well-informed about the world and its wars, famines and environmental problems, he seems to radiate a general passivity that is illustrative for the overall state of humanity. The more information we get from the media, NGOs and governments, the more we seem distance ourselves from the formal apparatus of law and and a thorough discussion of right. The more we think on a global level, the more local our actions seem.
The economic discourse seems also to be the prevalent one, the only language which has retained meaning and signification. Even though this is generally seen as an indication of the decline of morality, we feel more superior than ever and claim our rights to consume, to choose for ourselves but simultaneously the right to equality of all human beings. This conflict translates for the western citizen into a massive feeling of guilt and a real need to feel morally engaged.
This lack of moral engagement is supplemented by the same media, NGOs and goverments that trigger it, disguised as entertainment: reality soaps that sponsor NGOs, massive television production for tsunami victims and wildlife supporting lotteries. It is nothing more than a empty exchange of symbols to sedate our overinformed collective consciousness that in its process satisfies our material needs and an ethics based on consumption.
EMPATHY™ researches this exchange: producing exhibitions, lectures and public interventions. EMPATHY™ consists of Jonas Staal, TINKEBELL. and Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei.
The economic discourse seems also to be the prevalent one, the only language which has retained meaning and signification. Even though this is generally seen as an indication of the decline of morality, we feel more superior than ever and claim our rights to consume, to choose for ourselves but simultaneously the right to equality of all human beings. This conflict translates for the western citizen into a massive feeling of guilt and a real need to feel morally engaged.
This lack of moral engagement is supplemented by the same media, NGOs and goverments that trigger it, disguised as entertainment: reality soaps that sponsor NGOs, massive television production for tsunami victims and wildlife supporting lotteries. It is nothing more than a empty exchange of symbols to sedate our overinformed collective consciousness that in its process satisfies our material needs and an ethics based on consumption.
EMPATHY™ researches this exchange: producing exhibitions, lectures and public interventions. EMPATHY™ consists of Jonas Staal, TINKEBELL. and Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei.
