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Daradon · 02-03-2007, 07:57 AM

There's two other factors at work here I think. I don't like just saying, 'the city is too big and is filled with too many money driven jerks'. That's untrue, and a cop out answer with no imagination. There might be some corrolation, but it's a simple and largely incorrect answer IMHO.

The first factor was touched on. Simply, the element of fear. In a city this size people fear the unknown because there is more that IS unknown. In a small town, there is a good chance you might know this person and what the risks (real or imagined) that would be associated with helping him. As we know less and less about our surroundings and the people within them, the fear reaction increases (for most people). A large city has too many people/neighbourhoods to know and we don't have to worry just about that one person, but all the other people in the situation as well, like the drivers at the light, the people watching us etc.

To go into that a bit further, we probably do isolate ourselves more in large cities, but it's not because we don't care or don't have time for people, it's just fear or suspicion of the unknown. Therefore we don't take the time judge the situation properly.

Second is more of a sociological comment, but it has to do with the amount of people around the 'need for help'. A person needing help, in situations as simple as this, to serious life threatening ones like assault or rape, is far more likely to get it if there are one or two people nearby to help, than if there are 20 or 30. Some might think that the odds are better with more people but for two reasons they are not...

1. Most people will be too afraid of jumping in and being judged, or failing in front of others.

2. People will rationalize in their heads that they are not the best person for the job, that someone else will take care of it since there are so many around, or that it's simply not their problem.

Whereas, if people realise they are the only ones who can help, this will often override their fear (as mentioned above) and spring into action.

Neither of these are good excuses or reasons, but they are hardly the sole domain of large cities.

I'm glad you were more than ready to do the right thing though, and I think lots of people are.

02-03-2007, 07:57 AM	#29
Daradon Has lived the dream! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Where I lay my head is home... Exp:	There's two other factors at work here I think. I don't like just saying, 'the city is too big and is filled with too many money driven jerks'. That's untrue, and a cop out answer with no imagination. There might be some corrolation, but it's a simple and largely incorrect answer IMHO. The first factor was touched on. Simply, the element of fear. In a city this size people fear the unknown because there is more that IS unknown. In a small town, there is a good chance you might know this person and what the risks (real or imagined) that would be associated with helping him. As we know less and less about our surroundings and the people within them, the fear reaction increases (for most people). A large city has too many people/neighbourhoods to know and we don't have to worry just about that one person, but all the other people in the situation as well, like the drivers at the light, the people watching us etc. To go into that a bit further, we probably do isolate ourselves more in large cities, but it's not because we don't care or don't have time for people, it's just fear or suspicion of the unknown. Therefore we don't take the time judge the situation properly. Second is more of a sociological comment, but it has to do with the amount of people around the 'need for help'. A person needing help, in situations as simple as this, to serious life threatening ones like assault or rape, is far more likely to get it if there are one or two people nearby to help, than if there are 20 or 30. Some might think that the odds are better with more people but for two reasons they are not... 1. Most people will be too afraid of jumping in and being judged, or failing in front of others. 2. People will rationalize in their heads that they are not the best person for the job, that someone else will take care of it since there are so many around, or that it's simply not their problem. Whereas, if people realise they are the only ones who can help, this will often override their fear (as mentioned above) and spring into action. Neither of these are good excuses or reasons, but they are hardly the sole domain of large cities. I'm glad you were more than ready to do the right thing though, and I think lots of people are.