Because I don’t, and pretending to feels dishonest. I’ll listen if they want to talk about it, but I’m not going to act interested, and I certainly won’t ask about it on my own. What I’m trying to figure out is whether people actually care, or if they’re just playing a social game that I’m simply not interested in.

I’m probably on the autistic spectrum, which likely explains this to some extent. But that’s not an excuse - being an asshole is perfectly compatible with autism, so before dunking on me, please realise I probably agree with your criticism.

  • Showroom7561
    2·
    2 months ago

    I care about other people’s kids. I want them housed, fed, clothed, etc.

    I want my tax dollars to improve other’s lives so they have what they need to be self-actualized human beings.

    I won’t let them get hurt at the playground if I can help it.

    I watch them when they cross the street to make sure they do it safely.

    Oh geeze, yeah, I hope that what I wrote didn’t come off as “not caring” about the wellbeing of other people’s children, because that’s absolutely not what I meant!

    What I mean is that most people don’t get excited about when someone else’s child just spoke their first word, or took their first step. They really don’t, because it’s not a milestone that impacts that person’s life in any meaningful way.

    When someone sends you baby picture after baby picture, or their kid’s school trip photos… nobody actually “cares” about those things. It occupies no space in their head past that brief moment they were told about it. That’s what I mean.

    If those things make you happy, there’s nothing wrong with that, either!

    Do cute kids put a smile on my face? Of course. But do I care that an acquaintance’s child now uses the potty? Not. At. All.

    • yrmp@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 months ago

      Thanks for clarifying. Seems I misread your intent. Apologies for that. Take care.