The video “The Empathetic Civilization” by Jermey Rifkin is
an informative lecture that discusses empathy in everyday life. Rifkin points
out firsthand characteristics that humans encounter to empathize with others.
He goes on to explain that humans are able to communicate and undergo the same
emotions as somebody else without actually having to experience it. Rifkin
refers to this ability as the mirror neurons we all have. Mirror neurons are a form of
communication. It is the ability to share the same reaction and
emotions as another human or primate, without actually encountering their
specific situation. The
experiment that trigged the on sight of mirror neurons was when a monkey was
being observed under an mri brain scanning machine. The experimenter was
testing the monkey’s neurons while it attempted to open up a nut. Just then a
human came in and tried to open up the nut as well. The result was that the
human’s neurons and monkey’s neurons replicated the same response. Our sense of
empathy is when we try to understand someone else’s feelings. Mirror neurons
are the way we empathize with others by experiencing the exact emotions as
someone else.
This
video spoke to designers in an intellectual way as well. The idea of being able
to build empathy by design was something that was questioned by many designers.
In my opinion, I believe that empathy can be build by design. Design
is a way for people to interact by expressing their feelings, expressions,
thoughts, opinions etc through different mediums. All designs can give out a
message, or be created to give out a message that people can relate to. Anytime
you see something for the first time your mind automatically can relate it to a
memory or experience that you have encountered. Through these feelings or
reminisces, empathy can be built and you can share a personal or general
connection to that specific item or artwork.
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