r/interesting • u/Maleficent-Town5273 • Aug 20 '26

Additional Context Pinned Hit and run gone wrong

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u/thalastor Aug 20 '26

You can empathize with someone and not give them a free pass. They don't stop being people just because they did something bad and its ok to feel sorry for them, even if punishing them is still correct.

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u/Blobbem Aug 20 '26

Agreed. She looked like she needed help as well as punishment. What she did was wrong and irrational, but she wasn't in a rational state of mind by the looks of it.

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u/shaihuludinthehood Aug 20 '26

That happens when you're under the influence. Other posts clearly state part of her punishment was rehabilitation.

The mental gymnastics needed to empathize with someone under the influence, causing property damage, and attempting to harm others is astounding.

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u/Blobbem Aug 20 '26

The mental gymnastics needed to empathize with someone under the influence, causing property damage, and attempting to harm others is astounding.

Really? I find it quite simple to rationalise empathising with someone who is struggling with an addiction.

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u/shaihuludinthehood Aug 21 '26

It's simple, but it's not right.

This person demanded understanding for themselves while refusing to recognize the humanity of the person they've caused harm to (the person who was the victim of the hit and run).

This person showed no remorse and continue harming others when they could have stopped (by getting out of the car and doing the right thing).

The person attempted to manipulate the victim (the person recording) into feeling sorry for them specifically to escape accountability.

None of those behaviors deserve empathy. And this comes from the son of a former addict.

Empathy explains. It does not excuse.

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u/Blobbem Aug 21 '26

You expect rationality from the irrational. They could have stopped the car. They could also have not hit and run in the first place, or consumed any addictive substance. But they didn't because they weren't able to think clearly. And while none of the behaviours you listed deserve empathy, the person themselves does if it is apparent that they need help.

And no, nobody is excusing illegal behaviour. It is why the woman in the video was arrested. It is why I said they should be punished, as well as provided help.

Please do not mistake empathising with "we think this person did no wrong and should be free to do whatever."

0

u/thalastor Aug 20 '26

People think the definition of empathize is "set free and give 500 dollars." apparently.