#bystander-heroism

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#kindness
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
2 weeks ago

People who turned out genuinely kind despite a tough childhood didn't learn kindness - they absorbed its absence so completely that its presence became the one thing they couldn't withhold from anyone who needed it, not as a decision, but as the only response available to a person formed the way they were formed - Silicon Canals

Kindness often stems from experiencing adversity, leading to deep empathy rather than being solely a product of a nurturing environment.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
2 weeks ago

People who turned out genuinely kind despite a tough childhood didn't learn kindness - they absorbed its absence so completely that its presence became the one thing they couldn't withhold from anyone who needed it, not as a decision, but as the only response available to a person formed the way they were formed - Silicon Canals

Kindness often stems from experiencing adversity, leading to deep empathy rather than being solely a product of a nurturing environment.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
5 hours ago

Most men who grew up in the 1960s and 70s were taught that admitting you needed help was a character flaw. Finally, we are discovering that openness has its own kind of strength. - Silicon Canals

Men are taught to suppress emotions, leading to loneliness and health issues.
#friendship
Relationships
fromTiny Buddha
4 hours ago

What Happens When the Strong Friend Finally Asks for Help? - Tiny Buddha

Building trust in friendships requires vulnerability and asking for support, not just offering help.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
8 hours ago

People don't stay in friendships they've outgrown because they're weak - they stay because identity is bound up in being the kind of person who doesn't abandon people - Silicon Canals

People stay in outgrown friendships due to their identity being tied to the idea of not leaving, not out of cowardice or weakness.
Relationships
fromTiny Buddha
4 hours ago

What Happens When the Strong Friend Finally Asks for Help? - Tiny Buddha

Building trust in friendships requires vulnerability and asking for support, not just offering help.
Relationships
fromSilicon Canals
8 hours ago

People don't stay in friendships they've outgrown because they're weak - they stay because identity is bound up in being the kind of person who doesn't abandon people - Silicon Canals

People stay in outgrown friendships due to their identity being tied to the idea of not leaving, not out of cowardice or weakness.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

There's a version of strength that only develops in people who had to figure out the rules of a place nobody explained to them. They don't talk about it because the people who had the rules handed to them wouldn't understand what was hard about it, and the people who also had to figure it out don't need the explanation. - Silicon Canals

Onsighting in climbing parallels navigating social systems, emphasizing perceptual capacity over resilience in understanding unwritten rules.
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

The reason some men never move forward in life has nothing to do with motivation or discipline - it's that they built their entire identity around a version of themselves that stopped being true years ago, and starting over feels like admitting it was all wasted - Silicon Canals

The identity had become so central to who I thought I was that letting it go felt like admitting that entire chapter of my life had been pointless.
Bootstrapping
Careers
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

The Value of Humble Leadership

Humble leadership focuses on personal growth, recognizes weaknesses, highlights others' strengths, and embraces feedback for continuous improvement.
fromBoston.com
1 day ago

4-year-old survives 7-story fall from Worcester apartment building

The boy fell from the seventh floor and landed in an area of mulch. Despite the fall, the child was alert, breathing, and conscious, though he was crying.
Boston
#school-shooting
fromBoston.com
1 day ago
US news

Watch: Dramatic video shows Oklahoma high school principal tackle, disarm gunman as students flee

US news
fromABC7 Los Angeles
2 days ago

Video shows moment Oklahoma high school principal tackled gunman before being shot

A principal tackled an armed former student at a high school, preventing a potential mass shooting.
fromBoston.com
1 day ago
US news

Watch: Dramatic video shows Oklahoma high school principal tackle, disarm gunman as students flee

US news
fromABC7 Los Angeles
2 days ago

Video shows moment Oklahoma high school principal tackled gunman before being shot

A principal tackled an armed former student at a high school, preventing a potential mass shooting.
Cancer
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

When Healing Becomes Harm

A melanoma diagnosis transformed the perception of sunlight from healing to dangerous, reshaping the relationship with mortality and health.
#mental-health
SF parents
fromSFGATE
1 day ago

Man accused of attack on Sam Altman's SF home was in crisis, parents say

A 20-year-old man faces federal charges after attacking OpenAI's headquarters, with his family citing a mental health crisis.
Healthcare
fromGothamist
3 days ago

NewYork-Presbyterian agrees to bolster care for patients in mental health crisis

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital will implement reforms to improve mental health care following a settlement over inadequate patient supervision.
SF parents
fromSFGATE
1 day ago

Man accused of attack on Sam Altman's SF home was in crisis, parents say

A 20-year-old man faces federal charges after attacking OpenAI's headquarters, with his family citing a mental health crisis.
Healthcare
fromGothamist
3 days ago

NewYork-Presbyterian agrees to bolster care for patients in mental health crisis

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital will implement reforms to improve mental health care following a settlement over inadequate patient supervision.
Skiing
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago

A moment that changed me: I was desperate to get off the mountain and that gut instinct saved my life

A sense of dread accompanied a challenging climbing expedition in Tajikistan, marked by technical difficulties and dangerous conditions.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 days ago

How I overcame homelessness to help others

Darren Skeete, a former rough sleeper and addict, now helps others facing similar challenges in west London through a council service.
New York City
fromHoodline
3 days ago

East Flatbush Blaze Kills 2, Firefighter Injured

A late-night fire in East Flatbush resulted in two fatalities and one firefighter hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.
#crisis-management
Marketing
fromEntrepreneur
3 days ago

In a Public Crisis, What You Prioritize Determines Whether You Execute or Stall

In a crisis, leaders must discern which voices matter to maintain control and focus on relevant stakeholders.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

The person who thrives during a crisis and falls apart during ordinary weeks isn't broken. Their entire operating system was built for emergencies, and peace registers as a system error because they never learned what competence feels like without urgency underneath it. - Silicon Canals

Crisis-thrivers are often dysregulated, struggling with normalcy after emergencies, revealing a deeper issue with their nervous system's response to stress.
Marketing
fromEntrepreneur
3 days ago

In a Public Crisis, What You Prioritize Determines Whether You Execute or Stall

In a crisis, leaders must discern which voices matter to maintain control and focus on relevant stakeholders.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

The person who thrives during a crisis and falls apart during ordinary weeks isn't broken. Their entire operating system was built for emergencies, and peace registers as a system error because they never learned what competence feels like without urgency underneath it. - Silicon Canals

Crisis-thrivers are often dysregulated, struggling with normalcy after emergencies, revealing a deeper issue with their nervous system's response to stress.
Running
fromPsychology Today
3 days ago

Using Sports to Develop Good Character

Sports provide opportunities to practice virtues and improve moral character through repeated intentional actions.
Productivity
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

The workers most likely to burn out aren't always the ones doing the most - they're the ones who can't tell the difference between urgent and important - Silicon Canals

Workers overwhelmed by urgency rather than importance are more likely to experience burnout.
NYC politics
fromGothamist
3 days ago

Blakeman says NYPD cop thought 'out of the box' by throwing cooler that killed fleeing suspect

Bruce Blakeman supports pardoning former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, calling his conviction an injustice and advocating for law enforcement.
Books
fromPsychology Today
4 days ago

Do You See Yourself in a Story?

Comic books have evolved into a serious medium for exploring trauma and psychological depth, exemplified by works like Maus.
Education
fromPsychology Today
6 days ago

Using Human Kindness as a Shield Against School Violence

Billions are wasted on ineffective security measures for schools instead of investing in mental health resources and social support systems.
Pets
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

The pet I'll never forget: Chilly, the kitten I saved from freezing to death

A kitten named Chilly was rescued from freezing conditions in Detroit and became a beloved family member despite initial plans to foster her.
Public health
fromNature
4 days ago

How I harness research to inform humanitarian relief efforts

Beverley Stringer has dedicated her career to humanitarian work with Médecins Sans Frontières, focusing on improving public health in crisis settings.
Online Community Development
fromTruthout
5 days ago

What Do Authoritarians Fear Most? People Who Stick Up for Each Other.

Solidarity among communities is essential for resilience against economic and social pressures exacerbated by conflict and local challenges.
Yoga
fromYoga Journal
5 days ago

Want to Drastically Improve Your Life? Start Telling the Truth.

A society built on lies cannot survive, as truth is essential for meaningful interactions and human dignity.
Boston food
fromBoston.com
6 days ago

Former Boston police commissioner, off-duty cop, firefighter, and restaurant partner save choking man

Quick action by off-duty responders saved an 80-year-old man choking at a Chestnut Hill restaurant on Easter eve.
Mindfulness
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

I turned 34 before I finally understood: no one is on their way to rescue you, no one is tallying your effort, and life doesn't wait for you to feel ready - it just keeps moving without you - Silicon Canals

Success is not guaranteed by effort alone; waiting for recognition can lead to disappointment.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
16 hours ago

Psychology says people who check on everyone else during a crisis before acknowledging their own fear aren't selfless - they learned that being needed is the only form of safety their childhood ever reliably delivered - Silicon Canals

Composure in crises often masks unresolved childhood fears and the need to fulfill others' expectations.
Careers
fromFast Company
2 days ago

How to spot the red flags of a toxic culture

Workplace culture significantly influences job satisfaction and career success, with toxic environments leading to disengagement and unhappiness.
Philosophy
fromPsychology Today
3 days ago

How Storytelling Informs Relationships

Complexity involves understanding interdependence and multiple perspectives, essential for resolving conflicts and nurturing relationships.
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Commuter thanks stranger who restarted his heart

I got to the top of the stairs and felt a bit dizzy. I remember thinking I'm going to fall over. I got onto one knee and then, that was it, I don't remember anything else.
London
Social justice
fromPsychology Today
3 days ago

Resilience and Reconstruction in Practice

A long-term approach is essential for supporting displaced individuals, emphasizing identity continuity and meaningful work for resilience.
Education
fromFast Company
4 days ago

Dyslexia doesn't disqualify leaders-it creates them

Dyslexia does not disqualify individuals from leadership; it can enhance their capabilities and contributions.
London politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 days ago

Two years on from the Bondi Junction stabbings, eight courageous people will receive special bravery awards

Bravery awards were given to eight individuals, including Faraz Tahir, who responded heroically during a tragic stabbing incident at Bondi Junction.
Writing
fromwww.aljazeera.com
4 days ago

Refugee in my own city: Surviving Tehran's bombing, with my cat for company

Sana chooses to stay in Tehran during war, prioritizing resilience over fleeing despite family pressure.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
5 days ago

Suspect knocks down, attempts to rob couple walking near Central Park

NYPD is searching for a suspect who attempted to rob two people near Central Park, knocking them down in the process.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

Research suggests that people who say they prefer being alone aren't always telling the truth. Many of them preferred connection until it repeatedly disappointed them, and solitude became the story they told to make the disappointment portable. - Silicon Canals

Solitude is often misinterpreted as a preference, when it may actually be an adaptation to past relational failures.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

The Secret Advantage of Not Doing It Alone

Social support enhances performance, reduces stress, increases well-being, and can be experienced through imagination and helping behaviors.
Pets
fromwww.npr.org
6 days ago

Opinion: A well-deserved statue for a hero rat

Magawa, a rat, was honored for detecting land mines in Cambodia, saving lives and earning a statue for his contributions.
Mindfulness
fromPsychology Today
2 days ago

Where the Resistance Lives

Internal resistance to emotions can block creativity and flow, but confronting difficult thoughts can restore movement and reduce tension.
fromCbsnews
2 weeks ago

Long Island teen, mom credited with saving neighbor from house fire

I heard the sound of the fire. Like, I heard the sound of the cracking of the house and stuff like that, and then I turned and looked and I seen it. The flames coming out of the side of the house.
NYC parents
Philosophy
fromThe Atlantic
3 days ago

The Eighth Deadly Sin

The modern experience of disconnection and emptiness may represent a new form of sin, akin to the medieval concept of acedia.
Careers
fromEntrepreneur
4 days ago

5 Books That Will Help You Navigate Change and Stay Resilient at Work

Building resilient teams is essential in a rapidly changing labor market influenced by economic uncertainty and evolving workforce dynamics.
Social justice
fromGothamist
4 days ago

Can Columbus, Ohio teach the NYPD about crowd control? Mamdani wants to find out.

Columbus emphasizes conversation and de-escalation in protest policing, contrasting with aggressive tactics historically used by the NYPD.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 day ago

Psychology says the art of not caring what others think isn't something you decide to do one day - it's a quiet skill built over years of noticing how much of your life was being shaped by opinions of people who weren't actually paying attention to you in the first place - Silicon Canals

People overestimate how much others notice their actions and appearance, leading to unnecessary self-consciousness.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

People who are excellent in emergencies and fall apart during ordinary weeks aren't wired wrong. Their nervous system was calibrated for crisis, and calm registers as the absence of signal rather than the presence of safety. They function brilliantly when the house is burning because fire is the only temperature that feels familiar. - Silicon Canals

The autonomic nervous system has a social engagement system that affects how individuals respond to stress and calm.
fromwww.amny.com
6 days ago

BREAKING: Police shoot stabbing suspect at Grand Central Station | amNewYork

The stabbing occurred just before 10 a.m. on April 11 on the 4/5/6 line, within the confines of NYPD Transit District 4.
New York City
Philosophy
fromPsychology Today
4 days ago

When Leaders Go to War, Their Psychology Goes With Them

Narcissistic leaders often emerge due to fragile egos, leading to decisions that prioritize self-preservation over the well-being of others.
Mental health
fromenglish.elpais.com
1 day ago

Toxic relationships (especially in the family or at work) accelerate aging

Toxic relationships can accelerate biological aging and increase health risks, emphasizing the importance of distancing from negative social connections.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

Why Some People Always See Themselves as the Victim

Some individuals use their experiences of hurt to shape relationships and maintain a central role in conversations, often leading to boundary testing.
London
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 weeks ago

I took off my headphones and noticed a stranger in peril

Wearing headphones isolates individuals from their surroundings, while being present enhances awareness and engagement with the world.
Social justice
fromLGBTQ Nation
1 week ago

Waiting for a hero to save us from Trump & MAGA? Here's where to look... - LGBTQ Nation

Heroes are often flawed mortals, and we must rely on ourselves for change rather than expecting saviors from above.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

Psychology says people who make others light up when they first meet them have usually known what it feels like to be overlooked - and instead of becoming bitter about it, they made a quiet decision at some point in their life that no one in their presence would ever feel that invisible again, and that choice is one of the most powerful things a human being can do with their own pain - Silicon Canals

Warm individuals often transform their experiences of invisibility into empathy, making others feel valued and seen.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

Psychology says the people who seem impossible to offend aren't thick-skinned. They decided long ago that showing hurt gives others a map they haven't earned, so they absorb the wound and reclassify it as information - Silicon Canals

Emotional toughness often masks deep sensitivity, leading individuals to absorb pain without showing it, as vulnerability can be weaponized by others.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
1 day ago

The Emotional Aftershock of a Close Call in the Mountains

Experiencing a close call in the mountains can lead to intense psychological reactions that require time and space to process.
Mindfulness
fromMindful
2 weeks ago

Being Courageous About Change: Mindful Guidance on the Proactive Pivot

Proactive pivoting involves making changes before they are necessary, requiring courage and strength to overcome resistance to change.
#self-reliance
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

Psychology says people who describe themselves as self-sufficient aren't always describing a strength. Sometimes they're describing the scar tissue that formed where the need for other people used to be, and they've carried it so long they genuinely mistake the numbness for peace. - Silicon Canals

Self-reliance is often mistaken for strength, but true strength includes the ability to seek help and share vulnerabilities.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

I'm 66 and I recently understood that the reason I find it so hard to ask for help is not independence - it is the very specific and very old belief that needing something from another person is the first step toward becoming a burden, and a burden, in the house I grew up in, was the one thing nobody was allowed to be - Silicon Canals

Independence can often mask fear, leading to a reluctance to ask for help and a belief that needing assistance is a weakness.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
2 days ago

Psychology says people who describe themselves as self-sufficient aren't always describing a strength. Sometimes they're describing the scar tissue that formed where the need for other people used to be, and they've carried it so long they genuinely mistake the numbness for peace. - Silicon Canals

Self-reliance is often mistaken for strength, but true strength includes the ability to seek help and share vulnerabilities.
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
3 days ago

I'm 66 and I recently understood that the reason I find it so hard to ask for help is not independence - it is the very specific and very old belief that needing something from another person is the first step toward becoming a burden, and a burden, in the house I grew up in, was the one thing nobody was allowed to be - Silicon Canals

Independence can often mask fear, leading to a reluctance to ask for help and a belief that needing assistance is a weakness.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
2 days ago

Pitfalls in Communicating With One Another

Recognizing and addressing communication pitfalls is essential for effective interactions, as misunderstandings can lead to emotional distress and unresolved issues.
Psychology
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Always in crisis mode? You might be catastrophizing here's how to stop

Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion where individuals jump to the worst possible conclusions, often leading to chronic distress and mental health issues.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
3 days ago

When Trauma Awareness Stops at the Hospital Door

Chronic health conditions significantly impact psychological well-being, yet healthcare providers often neglect this aspect for both patients and themselves.
fromPsychology Today
2 weeks ago

Embracing the Warrior-Guardian Paradox in Modern Policing

The warrior and guardian are not competing philosophies between which a department must choose. They are complementary capacities every officer needs - and every agency must develop, sustain, and honor equally.
Social justice
Psychology
fromCornell Chronicle
3 days ago

Why do people oppose violence and support war? How moral views evolve | Cornell Chronicle

Moral views are influenced by fixed beliefs and fickle perceptions, leading to disagreements and changes over time.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
4 days ago

Neuroscience reveals that the calmest person in any crisis isn't naturally fearless - their brain learned to delay panic because their childhood required them to be functional before they were allowed to be afraid - Silicon Canals

Calmness under pressure is a learned response, not merely a personality trait or temperament.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
4 days ago

It's Time to Rethink the "Anxiety Drives PDA" Narrative

PDA is not solely anxiety-driven; it shares traits with ADHD and ODD, suggesting a more complex relationship with demand avoidance.
Writing
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

The kindness of strangers: on an emptied train carriage, a man rubbed his hand on my thigh then another passenger intervened

A stranger intervened during a sexual assault on a train by pretending to know the victim, creating a distraction that allowed her to escape the attacker.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
5 days ago

There's a generation of people who were taught to apologize for their needs so effectively that as adults they experience wanting something as a form of aggression against whoever might have to provide it - Silicon Canals

Many adults associate expressing needs with guilt, viewing requests as impositions rather than natural interactions.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
5 days ago

People who stop trying to be liked are often accused of having an attitude - by the people who most benefited from them having none - Silicon Canals

Setting boundaries often leads to others perceiving you as difficult or having an attitude problem, despite unchanged competence.
Mindfulness
fromPsychology Today
3 weeks ago

When the World Feels Scary, These 2 Questions Can Help

Grounding techniques effectively manage anxiety and enhance personal agency by focusing on the present and what can be controlled.
Psychology
fromSilicon Canals
1 week ago

Not everyone who keeps a small social circle is protecting their energy. Some of them built a wide one once, watched it reveal exactly how many people would show up during an actual emergency, and quietly restructured around the answer - Silicon Canals

Small social circles often result from past crises that reveal true friendships, rather than a preference for fewer connections.
Writing
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Experience: I suffered terrible burns as a child then became a firefighter

A severe burn accident at age six caused third- and fourth-degree burns on 73% of the body, requiring a year of hospitalization and long-term recovery, fundamentally shaping life trajectory and resilience.
World news
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

What happens to accidental heroes when the headlines fade? You get your award and then there's nothing'

Ordinary people repeatedly risk their lives to aid the wounded and stop attackers during mass-violence incidents, providing spontaneous courage and lifesaving interventions.
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

After the Bondi terror attack, people keep calling me a hero. There are so many people I could not help | Jessica Rozen

There were four or five events in Sydney for the first night of Hanukah. In 2024 we went to an event at Dover Heights, but parking was a nightmare. We decide on Bondi (where parking is also a nightmare). Five of us my mum, husband, son (3), daughter (one-and-a-half) and I pile into the car. We walk past the Christmas markets at Bondi beach, looking for the festival.
Arts
#rescue
fromLGBTQ Nation
1 month ago
Chicago

Trans man jumps in frigid lake & saves baby from drowning: "I wasn't going to let that baby die" - LGBTQ Nation

fromLGBTQ Nation
1 month ago
Chicago

Trans man jumps in frigid lake & saves baby from drowning: "I wasn't going to let that baby die" - LGBTQ Nation

Silicon Valley
fromSilicon Canals
2 months ago

Psychology says people who always volunteer to go last display these 6 traits that started as survival mechanisms - Silicon Canals

People who volunteer to go last often observe first, gathering social information and using heightened sensitivity as adaptive, evolutionarily rooted strategies.
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
3 weeks ago

The Hidden Danger in How We Choose Leaders

Charisma and confidence can mislead evaluations of a leader's moral character, emphasizing the need to distinguish between leadership style and true values.
Psychology
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago

We can't all be heroes, but as a species we can become more altruistic with a bit of practice | Jackie Bailey

Human society has become kinder over time, with a decline in violence and an innate tendency towards altruism and care for others.
#solidarity
Mental health
fromSilicon Canals
1 month ago

People who stay calm during emergencies but fall apart over minor inconveniences aren't fragile. Their system was calibrated for catastrophe, and it genuinely doesn't know how to scale down to a traffic jam or a lost set of keys. - Silicon Canals

Accumulated small daily frustrations can trigger greater stress responses than single major crises in people whose nervous systems were calibrated for survival under chronic danger or high-stakes conditions.
Mindfulness
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

Like Water, We Heal

Resilience is psychological flexibility—soft, adaptable responses like water that reorganize inner life toward a new equilibrium instead of returning to a prior baseline.
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

What Does 'Care' Mean During Times of Social Instability?

Care is fluid and adaptive; emotional signals like anger, numbness, and fatigue indicate needs and limits, and individual care requires collective support for survival.
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