Let's read...

Kindness. It's a simple word, but it is essential if we are to survive as a species on this planet. So I come to another thing I've learned. I've learned, from reading the writings of the great Edward O. Wilson, that one of the core reasons we have been so successful as a species is that we evolved the capacity to empathize. That means that the tribes who espoused empathy were more successful at survival than the ones who didn't. In order for a community, for a tribe, to survive and thrive, we humans had to evolve the ability to register the emotions, the plight, the fears, and the needs of other members of our tribe and to respond to them with empathy.

Let's follow Glenn Close...

Kindness. // It's a simple word, / but it is / essential / if we are to survive / as a species / on this planet. // So I come / to another thing / I've learned. // I've learned, / from reading the writings of the great / Edward O. Wilson, / that one of the core / reasons / we have been so / successful / as a species / is that / we evolved / the capacity / to empathize. // That means / that the tribes / who espoused / empathy / were more successful / at survival / than the ones / who didn't. // In order / for a community, / for a tribe, / to survive / and thrive, / we / humans / had to evolve / the ability / to register / the emotions, / the plight, / the fears / and the needs / of other members / of our tribe / and to respond / to them / with empathy. //

Let's read...

We die without connection. Nothing is worse for us humans than to be bereft of community. Empathy evolved because two eyes looked into two eyes. It's the most immediate and powerful way we humans communicate. Empathy evolved because we looked at each other, face to face, not on a screen. Studies have shown that the farther away we get from two eyes looking into two eyes, the harder it is to empathize. What I have learned is that if we are to remain a free and viable society, we need to spend less time looking at screens and more time looking into each other's eyes.

Let's follow Glenn Close...

We die / without connection. // Nothing / is worse / for us / humans / than to be bereft / of community. // Empathy evolved / because two eyes / looked / into two eyes. // It's the most / immediate / and powerful way / we humans / communicate. // Empathy evolved / because we looked at each other, / face / to face, / not / on a screen. // Studies have shown / that the farther away / we get / from two eyes / looking / into two eyes, / the harder it is / to empathize. // What I have learned / is that if / we are to remain / a free / and viable society, / we need to spend / less time / looking at screens / and more time / looking into / each other's eyes. //