I have come to observe how slack people, in the midst of a crowd or in a group, react when faced with situations that require urgent help, especially as a result of what they think would become negative effects to their image or person.
When you see someone bleeding out from the chest and unable to move after getting impaled while rushing to work, what would be your immediate reaction? Would you think, "Tough Luck! Let me just go my own way because I didn't see anything" or would it be impossible for you to move on without trying to help? Mind you, this person has an immediate need which he cannot acquire for himself - immediate medical attention. Such assistance may be incriminating for the "good Samaritan" as the hospital would likely hand you over the authorities. Thus, being helpful in this instance becomes risky.
In groups, people are more predictable when dealing with these situations. Usually it is understandable that most people already have a lot to deal with. Like the consideration that "I have a family and they need me so helping is too risky" or "I don't have the time or energy" or "not enough funds" could be immediate thoughts in these situations. Although these thoughts can be relatable, they are nonetheless morally considered as selfish.
Something similar to this happened late last year. A young man bled to death right in front of the Lekki toll gate. Most people just went about their business as though it was a scene they encountered every once in a while. Even the traffic wardens were directing traffic as if nothing had happened. More specifically, they were directing traffic around the guy as he bled. His head was affected and things were spewing out but the young man was still trying to get up. Eventually, he laid back down and that was it. That man had been a passenger on a bike without a helmet and the bike man was nowhere to be seen. A police officer was watching and after a while decided to call someone to help using a laid-back tone, no sense of urgency.
When you see someone bleeding out from the chest and unable to move after getting impaled while rushing to work, what would be your immediate reaction? Would you think, "Tough Luck! Let me just go my own way because I didn't see anything" or would it be impossible for you to move on without trying to help? Mind you, this person has an immediate need which he cannot acquire for himself - immediate medical attention. Such assistance may be incriminating for the "good Samaritan" as the hospital would likely hand you over the authorities. Thus, being helpful in this instance becomes risky.
In groups, people are more predictable when dealing with these situations. Usually it is understandable that most people already have a lot to deal with. Like the consideration that "I have a family and they need me so helping is too risky" or "I don't have the time or energy" or "not enough funds" could be immediate thoughts in these situations. Although these thoughts can be relatable, they are nonetheless morally considered as selfish.
Something similar to this happened late last year. A young man bled to death right in front of the Lekki toll gate. Most people just went about their business as though it was a scene they encountered every once in a while. Even the traffic wardens were directing traffic as if nothing had happened. More specifically, they were directing traffic around the guy as he bled. His head was affected and things were spewing out but the young man was still trying to get up. Eventually, he laid back down and that was it. That man had been a passenger on a bike without a helmet and the bike man was nowhere to be seen. A police officer was watching and after a while decided to call someone to help using a laid-back tone, no sense of urgency.
Many people don't focus on this, but if you fold your arms and choose not to help in dire situations, other people converging on the scene that may be able to render assistance will most likely stand idle if there's isn't a sense of urgency with helping. This could be very costly because seconds matter!
How about we decide to respond to every urgent situation with a sense of urgency as required, choosing not to allow the crowd effect affect our response. Although every situation requires the application of wisdom, I believe that the world can be a better place when we care more about these little things.
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