Compassion

The 'Compassion' episode of the 'Hidden Brain' podcast narrates the transformative journey of Kelly Gillespie, a woman who, after taking an online psychology class taught by Wesleyan University's psychologist Scott Plaus, decides to conduct a psychological experiment on herself by applying the concepts of empathy and the norm of reciprocity in her everyday life. Kelly, an aspiring psychotherapist and writer, frequents the British Library and encounters a homeless man named Simon during her routine visits. Initially, her interactions with Simon were limited to giving him spare change, but over time, she decides to engage more deeply. By sharing parts of her own life, she encourages Simon to open up about his, learning about his estrangement from his family and his yearning for his mother. Motivated by the psychological principles she learned, Kelly takes a bold step and invites Simon for a coffee, fostering a connection that leads to a profound change in both their lives.

Kelly's compassion compels her to help Simon reconnect with his mother after three years of silence. She facilitates a phone call between Simon and his mother, which becomes an emotional reunion. Moved by the conversation and Simon's situation, Kelly then purchases a bus ticket for Simon to return home. This act of kindness not only impacts Simon's life but also reinforces Kelly's belief in the power of individual action. The narrative exemplifies the ripple effect of compassion, as Kelly's actions are inspired by the teachings of her professor and the story of the hummingbird from Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai, which emphasizes doing the best one can regardless of the scale of the problem.

Scott Plaus, the educator behind Kelly's transformation, discusses the 'Day of Compassion' assignment he gives to his students, where they are encouraged to practice deliberate acts of kindness. Through this exercise, students often experience a transformative shift in their perspective, realizing that compassion can be contagious and that even small acts can set off a chain reaction of goodwill. Plaus emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of our actions and the far-reaching impact they can have on others, even those we do not see. The episode also features a dialogue with Shankar Vedantam, the host, who reflects on the moral dilemmas we face when our actions, or inactions, are at odds with our values, echoing the thoughts of philosopher Peter Singer on the ethics of helping others.