The rage, passion, and concern saturated his voice in a way that no one should be able to deny. He takes all that "be nice" hollow metaphor you learn in school, and really illuminates it in an accessible way. This is powerful!
I'm lucky to say that I was one of the 725 students who took Sam's class last semester. And for those of you who think that Sam is trying to "manipulate you" into thinking that empathy is the main problem that we have when it comes to war, you're wrong. As with any TED talk, speakers INVITE the audience to listen to their ideas. It's YOUR choice to listen, to engage, to understand, and to share their ideas. Once the speaker has left the stage, it is up to YOU to decide if you want to enlighten yourself with those ideas.
That is true, every single thing in internet for us to listen, to watch, to go into to, it's up to us. The TED talks we hear, the ideas we seek for, the life's perspectives we're searching for, are all here. Once again, it's up to you to grab the ideas or just identify with them. Well said Valerie
Valerie Buenafe well put. I agree with you. In my job every day i try to prevent my patients to be infjantilzed (the way society leads them to be) so the feel more responsable of their actions. As you say Valérie, you don’t need to feel manipulated each time someone says something accurate that you didn’t think of. Richards is a marvelous human being.
You ARE lucky and right in your assertions. The choice is ours to give or to take in this life. Unfotunately it's not always easy to give with a society that praises the consumption and the self-interest. This speach made my cry. And i am a 53 year old experienced MD.
I volunteer to translate this to Arabic because if someone volunteers to add it the video (dunno how to do that). I believe we all need to step out of our shoes and have a more open perspective about the world. I'm really pleased to see something that is not a hate message towards us, Arab Muslims. Thanks Clevonamerica for sharing this!
If you like classes where the professor just talks the whole time and you get quizzed on readings you read for homework and nothing in the class. It's his stage so if you enjoy that, youll enjoy the class.
@@chipheuston4064 ......and a stage is all it is. You, sir, appear to be the kind of person that can see through the nonsense. Think "dramaturgical analysis" from your intro to SOC class. You have restored my faith in the critically thinking student, albeit briefly, as the more posts I read will likely steer me in an opposite direction.
100%!!! Beautiful talk!!! We need to start seeing ourselves not as merely individuals, but PART of a greater COLLECTIVE. Empathy is what makes us human... Sending love to all who needs it
I don't see what is so amazing about this lecture. Are people so unempathetical that these view points have never crossed their minds before seeing this lecture? Really?
Yes! You have hit the nail on the head -- Sam is trying to muddy the water -- He is not sympathetic -- He is fearful of adequately left wing policies -- such as government guaranteed full employment at the 'union rate' terms and conditions.
This is very analogous to the militarization of the inner city spaces in the USA. We tell stories of "those people" but rarely do we ever try to understand what its like to be there.
Be empathy is essential part of to be sociologist ,i am from Ethiopian , i would like to add one thing human being cant live alone but some people miss this point. thank you for your sweet speech............ empathy
This is perhaps one of the most truthful videos that I have ever seen. So unbiased coming from the source is such a fresh breath of air. I, myself don't see anything but the truth & fairness in all people. This video should be mandatory for everyone to take a see & if you have any ounce of love & justice, you will shut your filthy mouth & open your ears & eyes. So shut the hell up & listen for once in your life. It might do you good. Since you profess so adamantly of your lover of God.
Thank you for making the pupil more understanding, you make me happy for saying what i thing about the reality of the situation in Iraq greetings a person from Iraq
My lack of empathy makes one side of these examples as easy to understand as the other. Empathy is the key to curing this problem because the problem is malfunction of empathy to begin with.
Thank you for this video, the message at the end is something we all forget about! 'Step outside your tiny little world and step inside the tiny little world of somebody else... and suddenly with out realizing it you're seeing the world differently.'
It saddens me to see any dislikes for the video.. whether or not you agree with his opinion, it's still an extremely thought-inspiring speech if you ignore the politics and actually make the effort to empathize
I'm an American and this video has been an eye opener for me. I am thankful for this mans work in teaching us all about how we feel as humans as a whole. SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH YOUR FRIENDS I'LL DO THE SAME. So that we can begin to have empathy for one another/ to understand and work towards bettering our world for ourselves and our children, where we can all feel safe and to love, have happiness. Peace my friend :)
I had Sam Richard's for my Soc 001 class. The first day of class he asked people to raise their hands in regards to why they thought we'd gone to war. Oil won out, no contest. He agreed to that. He's well aware that it was for the oil.
Such a brilliant talk with understandable examples, empathy exists in every one of us and I hope we all can increase our empathy to people who we love and who who we don't.
this was amazing. I've only been studying sociology for a week and i have learned so much. this was amazing because it helped me with empathy.I have autism which makes it hard for me to understand others emotions,so for me to be able to feel empathy from the different perspectives proposed in this video...is just amazing.
This is one of the most thoughtful and insightful talks on the subject I have ever seen. Sam Richards presents his viewpoint with devastating comprehensiveness.
Sam is anything but typical he actually acts on his beliefs and helps people in other countries. His speeches are just to get people thinking about things they usually don't think about. He would never tell you how you should think but questions you on all your beliefs and thoughts to get you thinking about what you truly believe.
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to take a minute and challenge myself to “ put myself in other peoples shoes” you’re sharing a very beautiful message and I wish you all the best in spreading the message. Best, Khaled
Amazing lecture, being a Pakistani i can now understand the feelings of Anti American feelings that alot of my countrymen have. I wish things could have been better!
@dgrove21 I think the point in the first three minutes is that Americans would probably be doing this to the Chinese under those conditions. It's not about a culture but about circumstances. Some 100,000+ civilians have died in these wars and Americans are joyous in the streets, singing, saluting flags, dancing all of the time. As a family member of one of those innocents, I'm sure you'd feel something about all of that celebration. That's the point of the talk.
if you are a soldier in another country-you are the monster commiting war crimes-if you are a soldier standing in your own country -you are a hero trying to defend against the monster. it's pretty simple.
We've lost the ability to empathize because we're too isolated. We watch only our favorite channels, read only our favorite websites, listen to only our favorite talk shows. We expose ourselves only to those sources of information that already agree with us, and they in turn drag us even farther apart, nudging us with baby steps. You already think x and y, and here's z to think about. We need to get people thinking for themselves again. We need to stop isolating ourselves, and start listening.
As a social scientist, I could see where he is coming from. Agreed, the examples are rather extreme, but that was the point! Addressing a gathering in the USA about empathy, what better topic to choose than the Iraq war. But the emotions around it are so strong that I can see why the message did not reach. The message is this, "I might not agree with what they are doing, but I UNDERSTAND..." Isn't that what empathy is about?
I can only semi relate to this. I went overseas as an atheist and stayed an atheist throughout my time in the military. While I respected the Taliban, and understood their convictions, I just could not respect their sharia law barbarism. Women deserve a certain amount of respect. They do not deserve to be kidnapped and decimated for not wearing a burqa. They do not deserve to be slaughtered for trying to learn. The Taliban's convictions destroy lives, and must be crushed, changed, or destroyed.
If everyone had some degree of empathy: We'd ALL be living a lot differently than we do now. Because unless you, yourself were evil, you couldn't abide with it in your presence.
As an American I find this video deeply inconvenient. Thankfully after being up for over two years, it has less than a quarter of a million views. I shall now watch Gangnam style again, and forget. forget... forget
Empathy is great place to start, but please continue on to true COMPASSION! That's where you find TRUE and lasting peace! I blog about this all the time !
Mike, thank you for stepping up @18 to do what you thought was right, and for being willing to put your life on the line for your comrades, family, community and country. I am so grateful there are so many incredible men and women willing to do that. I'm so sorry we send you on these kinds of missions. I much prefer the incredible tactical support the military gives in times of disaster.That should be the top mission! Anyway, I hope you find peace with all of it. Please be kind to yourself, too.
I wish people around the world would realize a lot of Americans are empathetic! This is what is so frustrating about reading comments that say "blah blah blah stupid Americans. Everyone hates Americans." Yes, I am an American. Yes, our government does a lot of messed up stuff. BUT, do I have any say in what my government does? Yeah, sure maybe about 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000001%, if even that much. Please, don't miss the point of the video and show empathy toward most Americans too.
لم أكن اعتقد أن هنالك احد يفهم ما يدور حول هذه الحرب كنت اعتقد أنهم فقط يصدقون ما تمليه عليهم وسائل الإعلام أو ما تريد وسائل الإعلام أن يعتقدوا بأنه الصواب شكرا لك سام ريتشارد
Everyone who feels strongly about an issue should take the time to try and honestly argue that issue from the opposite viewpoint. To really try and prepare a convincing argument against the view they normally hold. For a few, it might change their mind completely. For others, they might find a few points they agree with and modify their stance. But at the least, hopefully most would be able to at least respect and understand the view, even if they don't agree with it.
Not all Americans are "asleep" concerning these matters. Many Americans even soldiers are waking up. Please search for WINTER SOLDIER on you tube to hear soldiers speak the truth about what goes on in Iraq that we don't see or know about. Very powerful!
@Tmmz1107 Hahah I totally agree, I remember attending Dr. Clemente's class and just losing myself to his experiences and stories, it got as far as people just attending his lectures without even finding space to sign in his class, however you have to give Sam Richards some credit hes a phenomenal speaker!
I am happy he illustrated this point, if the rolls were reversed and Americans were fighting for freedom, we would see this is a Crusade against innocent people.
@x13nick13x Yep. It's the perspective of a sociologist. To put your feet into someone else's shoes. It's the truest perspective and experience of empathy.
The rage, passion, and concern saturated his voice in a way that no one should be able to deny. He takes all that "be nice" hollow metaphor you learn in school, and really illuminates it in an accessible way. This is powerful!
.....and Marlon Brando had a great performance in Apocalypse Now.
I'm lucky to say that I was one of the 725 students who took Sam's class last semester. And for those of you who think that Sam is trying to "manipulate you" into thinking that empathy is the main problem that we have when it comes to war, you're wrong. As with any TED talk, speakers INVITE the audience to listen to their ideas. It's YOUR choice to listen, to engage, to understand, and to share their ideas. Once the speaker has left the stage, it is up to YOU to decide if you want to enlighten yourself with those ideas.
Lovely and thoughtful comment.
Valerie Buenafe please watch video of Jim Nduruchi called Viola re Jigger Victims in Kenya
That is true, every single thing in internet for us to listen, to watch, to go into to, it's up to us. The TED talks we hear, the ideas we seek for, the life's perspectives we're searching for, are all here. Once again, it's up to you to grab the ideas or just identify with them. Well said Valerie
Valerie Buenafe well put. I agree with you. In my job every day i try to prevent my patients to be infjantilzed (the way society leads them to be) so the feel more responsable of their actions.
As you say Valérie, you don’t need to feel manipulated each time someone says something accurate that you didn’t think of.
Richards is a marvelous human being.
You ARE lucky and right in your assertions. The choice is ours to give or to take in this life. Unfotunately it's not always easy to give with a society that praises the consumption and the self-interest.
This speach made my cry. And i am a 53 year old experienced MD.
I volunteer to translate this to Arabic because if someone volunteers to add it the video (dunno how to do that).
I believe we all need to step out of our shoes and have a more open perspective about the world. I'm really pleased to see something that is not a hate message towards us, Arab Muslims. Thanks Clevonamerica for sharing this!
One of the most fascinating TED talks I've seen in a while.
It's scary that there are people who could give this a thumbs down. That's really worrying. This is a very important video/understanding.
I bet having class with this man's incredible
it is
Soc119. Search it. You will find him and his lectures.
If you like classes where the professor just talks the whole time and you get quizzed on readings you read for homework and nothing in the class. It's his stage so if you enjoy that, youll enjoy the class.
@@chipheuston4064 ......and a stage is all it is. You, sir, appear to be the kind of person that can see through the nonsense. Think "dramaturgical analysis" from your intro to SOC class. You have restored my faith in the critically thinking student, albeit briefly, as the more posts I read will likely steer me in an opposite direction.
100%!!! Beautiful talk!!! We need to start seeing ourselves not as merely individuals, but PART of a greater COLLECTIVE. Empathy is what makes us human... Sending love to all who needs it
I don't see what is so amazing about this lecture. Are people so unempathetical that these view points have never crossed their minds before seeing this lecture? Really?
Yes, maybe
Yes! You have hit the nail on the head -- Sam is trying to muddy the water -- He is not sympathetic -- He is fearful of adequately left wing policies -- such as government guaranteed full employment at the 'union rate' terms and conditions.
This is very analogous to the militarization of the inner city spaces in the USA. We tell stories of "those people" but rarely do we ever try to understand what its like to be there.
I have him as a professor this semester. Sam Richards is the man!
This video should be played in schools everywhere. This kind of thinking seems so rare that it's frightening.
I can't believe this video is already almost 3 years old but only has so few views. What a great talk.
Be empathy is essential part of to be sociologist ,i am from Ethiopian , i would like to add one thing human being cant live alone but some people miss this point. thank you for your sweet speech............ empathy
I'm astounded that this video does not have millions of views.
This is perhaps one of the most truthful videos that I have ever seen. So unbiased coming from the source is such a fresh breath of air. I, myself don't see anything but the truth & fairness in all people. This video should be mandatory for everyone to take a see & if you have any ounce of love & justice, you will shut your filthy mouth & open your ears & eyes.
So shut the hell up & listen for once in your life. It might do you good. Since you profess so adamantly of your lover of God.
The man is doing therapy - getting us to be insightful about our thoughts, beliefs and actions.
I wish more people would listen to this guy.
Thank you for making the pupil more understanding, you make me happy for saying what i thing about the reality of the situation in Iraq
greetings
a person from Iraq
Best way to make things going on around us easy to understand, "Empathy".
Thanks for your guidance.
This guy's talk beats every roller coaster ever in human history
My lack of empathy makes one side of these examples as easy to understand as the other. Empathy is the key to curing this problem because the problem is malfunction of empathy to begin with.
Thank you for this video, the message at the end is something we all forget about!
'Step outside your tiny little world and step inside the tiny little world of somebody else... and suddenly with out realizing it you're seeing the world differently.'
Fantastic speech! One of the very best I have seen! Congratulations, Mr. Richards.
Never have i ever seen someone straight-forward and truthful as this man!
It saddens me to see any dislikes for the video.. whether or not you agree with his opinion, it's still an extremely thought-inspiring speech if you ignore the politics and actually make the effort to empathize
This is the greatest Ted Talk of all Ted Talks.
I'm an American and this video has been an eye opener for me. I am thankful for this mans work in teaching us all about how we feel as humans as a whole. SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH YOUR FRIENDS I'LL DO THE SAME. So that we can begin to have empathy for one another/ to understand and work towards bettering our world for ourselves and our children, where we can all feel safe and to love, have happiness. Peace my friend :)
Sometimes I feel happiness when I listen to beautiful lecture like this
I had Sam Richard's for my Soc 001 class. The first day of class he asked people to raise their hands in regards to why they thought we'd gone to war. Oil won out, no contest. He agreed to that. He's well aware that it was for the oil.
As a graduate student, I'll probably not be able to his course. But it was a pleasure listening to him at TEDx.
Such a brilliant talk with understandable examples, empathy exists in every one of us and I hope we all can increase our empathy to people who we love and who who we don't.
Do a little reading dear boy.
This little word, empathy, gives chill to my spine. I am trying to reconnect this word to nihilism, passivity and permissive society
this was amazing. I've only been studying sociology for a week and i have learned so much.
this was amazing because it helped me with empathy.I have autism which makes it hard for me to understand others emotions,so for me to be able to feel empathy from the different perspectives proposed in this video...is just amazing.
The most important video an American will ever see. 20 minutes to change your life.
Great lecture. Empathy is a powerful thing.
This experiment could be applied to so many conflicts in our world.
Empathy is the foundation of all ethics
Everyone should watch this.
This is one of the most thoughtful and insightful talks on the subject I have ever seen. Sam Richards presents his viewpoint with devastating comprehensiveness.
Sam is anything but typical he actually acts on his beliefs and helps people in other countries. His speeches are just to get people thinking about things they usually don't think about. He would never tell you how you should think but questions you on all your beliefs and thoughts to get you thinking about what you truly believe.
I believe this would be the appropriate time for America to see this video...
THANK YOU SIR FOR UNDERSTANDING AND EXPLAINING OUR POINT OF VIEW
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to take a minute and challenge myself to “ put myself in other peoples shoes” you’re sharing a very beautiful message and I wish you all the best in spreading the message.
Best, Khaled
i am crying this is so touching! best TED ralk ever ever
I absolutely love his passion and tone on this topic
There are many people who need to learn to do this. Peace.
Best 19 minutes I spent today.
This is fantastic ! Truth is truth.
An awesome way to learn about empathy. You might like this, people!
You are one of your Kind Sam, Stay Blessed!
Emapthy: something every human needs to learn
Spelling: something everyone needs to learn
Not everyone can. The Narcissist for example. They can't change.
sam richards is the man!!!! i attended some classes and he really stimulates ur mind and make you see different perspectives of everything!
Thank you for revealing the truth. I truly respect you!!!!!!!!
Amazing lecture, being a Pakistani i can now understand the feelings of Anti American feelings that alot of my countrymen have. I wish things could have been better!
I cried when I pictured the freedom fighter hugging his kid telling him not to worry because he will be back, then leaving the house never to return.
@dgrove21 I think the point in the first three minutes is that Americans would probably be doing this to the Chinese under those conditions. It's not about a culture but about circumstances. Some 100,000+ civilians have died in these wars and Americans are joyous in the streets, singing, saluting flags, dancing all of the time. As a family member of one of those innocents, I'm sure you'd feel something about all of that celebration. That's the point of the talk.
Interception of perception is the key to logical sequence and rationality. Understand what that means and you can understand everything
if you are a soldier in another country-you are the monster commiting war crimes-if you are a soldier standing in your own country -you are a hero trying to defend against the monster. it's pretty simple.
We've lost the ability to empathize because we're too isolated. We watch only our favorite channels, read only our favorite websites, listen to only our favorite talk shows. We expose ourselves only to those sources of information that already agree with us, and they in turn drag us even farther apart, nudging us with baby steps. You already think x and y, and here's z to think about.
We need to get people thinking for themselves again. We need to stop isolating ourselves, and start listening.
im with him in every word he just said but not only muslim iraqies felt about americans that way .. but christian iraqies too , and im one of them !!
Very good. Empathy is most definitely the basis of understanding. I also believe it is inexorably linked to the "Golden Rule".
Sam Richards has done it again... amazing talk!!!!
As a social scientist, I could see where he is coming from. Agreed, the examples are rather extreme, but that was the point! Addressing a gathering in the USA about empathy, what better topic to choose than the Iraq war. But the emotions around it are so strong that I can see why the message did not reach.
The message is this, "I might not agree with what they are doing, but I UNDERSTAND..."
Isn't that what empathy is about?
this is a very touching speech
Brilliant.... love this guy. Said it all...
I wish everyone had the spirit of the native americans
My tears are being held back listening to this Man.Thank you Jesus.Can you feel it me?
Pleas Americans wake up
Thanks a lot for this video ... we need more people like you
Bless you
Wow, I am impressed .
Thank you Dr.Richards.
I can only semi relate to this. I went overseas as an atheist and stayed an atheist throughout my time in the military. While I respected the Taliban, and understood their convictions, I just could not respect their sharia law barbarism. Women deserve a certain amount of respect. They do not deserve to be kidnapped and decimated for not wearing a burqa. They do not deserve to be slaughtered for trying to learn. The Taliban's convictions destroy lives, and must be crushed, changed, or destroyed.
One of the best and most important TEDtalks ever!
I appreciate what this wonderful man said
This is the truth
great talk
GOD BLESS THIS MAN!
If everyone had some degree of empathy: We'd ALL be living a lot differently than we do now. Because unless you, yourself were evil, you couldn't abide with it in your presence.
As an American I find this video deeply inconvenient. Thankfully after being up for over two years, it has less than a quarter of a million views. I shall now watch Gangnam style again, and forget. forget... forget
as an Egyptian.. as a muslim.. I want to say Thank you from the bottom of my heart
Did anyone else cry?
Empathy is great place to start, but please continue on to true COMPASSION! That's where you find TRUE and lasting peace! I blog about this all the time !
It is true, we have to stop social engineering. We have to stop making assumptions. We need to riser higher and coexist or we are doomed.
you're 100% right.
Mike, thank you for stepping up @18 to do what you thought was right, and for being willing to put your life on the line for your comrades, family, community and country. I am so grateful there are so many incredible men and women willing to do that. I'm so sorry we send you on these kinds of missions. I much prefer the incredible tactical support the military gives in times of disaster.That should be the top mission! Anyway, I hope you find peace with all of it. Please be kind to yourself, too.
@wretchedyo Agree agree agree. Love that the world's waking up to this
I wish people around the world would realize a lot of Americans are empathetic! This is what is so frustrating about reading comments that say "blah blah blah stupid Americans. Everyone hates Americans." Yes, I am an American. Yes, our government does a lot of messed up stuff. BUT, do I have any say in what my government does? Yeah, sure maybe about 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000001%, if even that much. Please, don't miss the point of the video and show empathy toward most Americans too.
لم أكن اعتقد أن هنالك احد يفهم ما يدور حول هذه الحرب
كنت اعتقد أنهم فقط يصدقون ما تمليه عليهم وسائل الإعلام أو ما تريد وسائل الإعلام أن يعتقدوا بأنه الصواب
شكرا لك سام ريتشارد
Everyone who feels strongly about an issue should take the time to try and honestly argue that issue from the opposite viewpoint. To really try and prepare a convincing argument against the view they normally hold. For a few, it might change their mind completely. For others, they might find a few points they agree with and modify their stance. But at the least, hopefully most would be able to at least respect and understand the view, even if they don't agree with it.
best video i have ever seen.
16:36 there he should get the last skeptic.
Thanks Mitsue, .....too bad most people don't see from this perspective
If humans are to survive we must do this. This is the way we evolve. Not technology.
Excellent lecture
the word "terrorist" explains it all Mr.Sam
this video is the most important video on youtube..i am changing my path because of it...bravo
bret
Man this guy is AWESOME
Not all Americans are "asleep" concerning these matters. Many Americans even soldiers are waking up. Please search for WINTER SOLDIER on you tube to hear soldiers speak the truth about what goes on in Iraq that we don't see or know about. Very powerful!
Best 20 minutes in my academic life!
@yeben Sam Richards fully understands this and it's not the point of the talk. Your final statement is the point of the talk.
thank you MR. Sam and thanks to clevonamerica for sharing this video .
@Tmmz1107
Hahah I totally agree, I remember attending Dr. Clemente's class and just losing myself to his experiences and stories, it got as far as people just attending his lectures without even finding space to sign in his class, however you have to give Sam Richards some credit hes a phenomenal speaker!
I am happy he illustrated this point, if the rolls were reversed and Americans were fighting for freedom, we would see this is a Crusade against innocent people.
@x13nick13x Yep. It's the perspective of a sociologist. To put your feet into someone else's shoes. It's the truest perspective and experience of empathy.