"According to the World Giving Index report, two-thirds of the world's population donated money in 2024. This statistic highlights a significant trend towards generosity among people globally."
"Marsh and fellow researchers have found that at the sight of something mildly scary, such as a snake, people feel an urge to flee. However, when they see a fearful expression on another person's face, their instinct is to approach."
"Exceptionally altruistic people, such as those who voluntarily donate kidneys to strangers, tend to have a stronger than average amygdala response to other people's fear, indicating a deep-seated capacity for empathy and action."
"When asked why he didn't pull the trigger on the shooter, Ahmed al-Ahmed explained that he chose restraint out of humility, while also trying to stop him from killing more innocent people."
Humanity's reputation is often negative due to war and destruction, but evidence suggests a decline in violence over history. Steven Pinker argues that society has become kinder. Research by Abigail Marsh indicates that most people are generous and hard-wired to care for others. The World Giving Index shows that two-thirds of the global population donated money in 2024. Altruistic individuals, like those who donate kidneys, exhibit strong responses to others' fear and act bravely, as demonstrated by Ahmed al-Ahmed's response to a shooter at Bondi Beach.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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