As we reach 2021 during a world-wide pandemic do you feel altruism in society, in general, is increasing or decreasing? Is it the same?

Many people have had their lives changed. Personal stress increases yet I read articles about increases in anonymous gifts to charities and food banks.
I've noticed my neighbors are 'friendlier' and more helpful than before.

Personally, I've noticed a change in myself concerning how I look at others.
I'm more prone to help someone or assist others than before. Not just with money concerns but deeds and cheering as well. I have a new depth to helping my fellow man.

This drive is more than my normal courtesy gesture. My empathy has increased and I find myself paying attention to the plight of others more often than I used to. Is it age? I know its not guilt. I believe its pandemic related.

The change I see and feel are relatively recent and have been increasing all thru last year. I've always been helpful and giving but recently, I am willing to go out of my way to help others more often.

I'm wondering if anyone else has felt this or noticed a change in altruism in society or themselves?
Will it persist past the pandemic or fade away as the pandemic subsides?

Has anyone noticed an opposite effect on society?
The opposite of altruism is spite.
Many people have good reason to be more spiteful as their lives are thrown into turmoil.
I'm sure society has a mixture of both but I'm seeing more altruistic behavior in general and I feel it more in myself.

What do you think?

I think you're right for the most part.

Really my only thought is that it may be some sort of deep down ancient instinct we have regarding survival of the species......................

Interesting idea and that never occurred to me but it does make sense, now that you mention it.

If that is the driving force, it will likely subside as the pandemic eases.
That actually happened before. My dad told me about the attitudes of people during WW2. He used to remark on how isolated he felt during the 60s & 70s because to him, people no longer care about other people (his words).

In my heart I like to think these altruistic changes in society will outlast the pandemic but considering your statement, that may not be the case.
It's kinda sad.
Mankind has the opportunity to reach the next level of society and I think it would be a great loss if we revert back to our previous selfish state.

I wonder if there are any studies concerning the correlation between isolation and altruism?
With our current world-wide communication technology and automation of industry, the trend of society is toward isolationism. That trend by itself is a slow process where society can adapt and maintain its ongoing cultural imperatives.
The pandemic thrust change upon us. We needed to adapt quickly and severe changed occurred. I wonder if it was the fast change which spurred an increase in altruism generally?
Will the altruism dissipate slowly over time or abruptly decrease?
After the pandemic and isolation will selfishness and spite increase dis-proportionally?

I'd like to read some opinions on this. M2 forums is a (tiny) mixture of world culture. I'm curious what people from other countries and cultures think on the subject too.

I believe -as do all spiritual people as far as I know- that this whole pandemic thing has to do with our shift into the Age of Aquarius, or in other words: the shift from 3D to 5D.
When more in a 5D vibe people come more and more from the heart and what you describe is part of that.
I believe this is also why it goes on for quite some time, otherwise it'd go back to the way it used to be. In order to get a lasting change in more people this situation needs to last longer so the change and shift begins to really sink in.

Like my hair dresser said in November: she's come to realise that the quality of life she has now with her man and kids is much much better and she doesn't want to go back to living the way they were before.
And she said she heard many others say the same (she has a lot of clients of course, being a hairdresser).
Now had this situation lasted for 2 months, she wouldn't have had that insight, nor the drive to change her life.

I do see the dichotomy in people too though. Some are very generous, helpful, positive, able to keep quite the straight course while many others are in fear, stressed out, and get nasty and ratty real easily.

I do think that much will stick even after this pandemic has gone. A large group will likely want to revert back to the way things were, but I doubt this is even possible. I've heard many companies are now planning to keep the current situation going: many employees working at home as opposed to in the office.

It wouldn't surprise me if we would get some eruptions when it's over. People might go nuts when for instance pubs are reopened again for the first time in months.
Wait and see.

Oh, and we can also get a bigger gap in between groups of people: the ones who want and get the vaccine and the ones who don't. The first will likely hold the last responsible for things not going back to normal. Wouldn't surprise me if that thing leads to pretty nasty situations.
That's the weird thing: many are more loving and generous, but many others are way nastier, and I do mean nasty.

I attribute the 'nasty' to the fact some people have been hit really hard by this in their financial situation and their lifestyles.

Eager to climb out of the place they're in, they might see anything as an obstacle. Probably because they are not thinking of moving around instead thinking they must move thru it to clearer pastures on the other side.

Like you said, there has been a shift in business models. Business are finding out its more efficient not supporting large numbers and providing/maintaining those spaces.

If this pandemic continues thru 2021 (it could), there may also be a shift in how restaurants and bars and public venues are structured.
For example, in-house dining may be phased out in favor of drive up or window service. This shrinks not only the requirement for public spaces but the employees needed to run those spaces.
Which means, those types of service jobs may also be phased out or significantly reduced, which would keep those people out of work.

This is a problem, population wise, because world-wide population is continuing to rise. Its also a problem career wise in any service industry job market. Plus, decades ago we (USA) phased from a manufacturing industry strong nation to a service industry nation. Many first world countries did.
There are no factories (well, relatively few) to put people back to work.

For those of us who have been lightly affected by this, altruism can be possible.
Not so for those who stand to lose their jobs forever or already have.
It all stands to cause a rift in society to which revolt and revolution easily manifests.

We're gunna see a shift in societies in 2021. I can't tell if it will be altruistic or spite filled. I think whatever happens, it will be a division which will change the face of humanity.

people are altruistic because it is emotionally rewarding...there is usually

a emotional reward for behavior we give ourselves and may receive from

others........

Thanx.
I think ya missed the point of the thread tho.
Its not about altruism as much as the change in the frequency of people demonstrating it since the pandemic and the relationship of that change to the pandemic.
I see more people demonstrating altruism now but others may see fewer. Still others may not have noticed any change at all. Some may see an increase in selfishness instead of altruism.
Its a discussion thread.

I agree with you Tom ... Lots of people are feeling over whelmed by what is happening ... some try to help ...some try to destroy...


Tom ...
If we only could ->Mankind has the opportunity to reach the next level of society and I think it would be a great loss if we revert back to our previous selfish state.

What I've been seeing for a number of years now is that certain businesses based on serving are booming. I'm not talking about restaurants and such, I'm talking about coaching business. There has never been such a great demand for that. I know as I'm busy in those circles myself although at the moment not actively doing anything towards clients.
Many who are going about it in the new way, which is so needed and is congruent with what you are talking about here, are doing really well and have done so all through the pandemic period. The new way is the one based on service, which is not linear thinking, black and white, using the old coaching / psychology models, but coming from the heart and a calling.
I know many who are working that way have not suffered at all. I think also because many people now have more time and feel the need to change, they feel that the old way of being and living doesn't work any longer and they take an interest now in personal growth.

Over here many people have just continued to work their job at home. Office workers of course. So I don't think many in that sector lost their job. The restaurant, hotel, pub etc. business is an entirely different story. They have suffered tremendously. And some areas, like where I live, totally rely on that for an income and economy.

I also know some people who had their own business as freelancers who had a really tough time. One decided to play it smart and has employment as per this month so they don't lose their home etc. etc. The other's ego is too big to do that and they are in deep poo.
But you can get a job. My girl wanted to change jobs (office work) and had 3 people highly interested in her and willing to take her on. She accepted one then her current employer said he didn't want to lose her and are probably willing to meet her requirements (more pay, less hours).
That was in December, not an easy month to find work, and certainly not now you'd think. But clearly it is possibly. She could choose!!
This all happened after I talked her out of an incredibly dip, hihi. So so much depends on your own energy and vibe. I think and hope people are finally beginning to see and understand this.

And I must say, I have noticed a change in you. I really like it! You seem gentler. More from the heart.

Relationships have some adjustment periods, but being hurt shouldn’t be part of being in love.

It's been very rare, that I've actually
witnessed genuine altruism, anywhere in
the past 40 years.

I've seen the world get colder.
With more people focused on their
own needs, while ignoring all else.

Often, when I see an act of kindness,
there's usually some bloviating tard
attached to it, saying "Look at me.
Look at the generosity I'm giving
the less fortunate".


It would be a beautiful world,
if true altruism made a strong
recovery.

Have you ever gone to Youtube and watched those "Random act of Kindness" videos? You might want to give it a look.

It's good that acts of kindness happen.

But, if the reason that kindness happens,
is a photo op. to say "Look at me, being
kind to the less fortunate."
Well, that takes all the goodness out
of the deed.

LoL... My whole point is...
I vehemently despise shaming the less
fortunate, for self aggrandising photo
opportunities.

kinda like "the mask" -brings out your personality

in difficult times, the good will see opportunity to do more good -and the evil more evil

Though I have seen people who were good, and turned the opposite in the last two years