The rise of cruelty

This is part one of a two-part post. Read part two: The Rise of Kindness.

Maybe it's just me. Maybe I am biased.

But it seems to me that we are observing a rise in cruelty and cruel behaviour. From small things in daily life to leaders displaying the trait openly.

I see it at the supermarket, where some people behave disrespectfully. On the road, with road rage and other unwholesome behaviors. In social media interactions. We saw it in the hoarding of toilet rolls at the start of COVID-19.

I have also witnessed it in business. I find it acceptable to make decisions based purely on business outcomes or goals, decisions that have an impact on humans. But there is no need for this extra layer of cruelty. Unfortunately, I had to experience that myself with some recent business decisions.

I also see it in some leaders and political figures. Yes, they have an opinion on things and decide to change the law or something similar. But this extra layer of cruelty—is that necessary? Do you appear tougher because you are cruel? Do you think being feared makes you a better leader?

I don't think so. For me, cruelty is a sign of weakness.

Let me be clear about what I mean by cruelty. There is a difference between cruelty and wrath. Cruelty is deliberate. You know you are going to hurt someone, and you choose to do it anyway. Wrath, though it looks like anger, has a different intention. Think of a mother screaming at her child as he's about to cross the road without seeing an oncoming car. It will stop him in his tracks. From a distance, it looks like she's yelling and angry. But her intention is love—for her child to be safe and happy.

Cruelty can be deliberate, a way to gain short-term power. It is often perceived as strength by a segment of the population, as if the cruel person is strong. But I see it differently. Cruelty is weakness masquerading as power.

What's driving this rise?

Income inequality is one factor, along with the disappearance of the middle class in most Western countries. This creates economic tension. For the first time in history, people working today will be less wealthy than the previous generation. The social contract is broken. This leads to helplessness, and blaming others is often a quick response to that—whether it's immigrants, the rich, the poor, or whoever you point the finger at. This is called the "single enemy" in propaganda, a tactic used to unite people against a common target rather than addressing the real issues.

We do live in an age of abundance. We have peace like we never had before, if we look at the big picture. We have good economic outputs, though unbalanced due to hoarding and income inequality. The numbers prove that the top 1% control a greater part of the GDP than ever before. So we have abundance, but it is not well shared. This, again, leads to hopelessness.

And in our age of abundance, technologies, and communication, cruelty is beyond unnecessary. We have promoted individualism too far. Despite what the Western media says, we are all interdependent.

But here's the thing: cruelty is a choice.

Just as kindness is a choice.

And as this behavior happens, so does its counterpart.

Continue to part two: The Rise of Kindness