Evaluating the scene created by holidaymakers hitting the slopes indifferently to what was happening in surrounding hotels while bodies were still being searched for in the debris of the hotel fire in Kartalkaya, Head of Sociology Department Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan stated, “This scene, bringing together pain and entertainment in the same frame, clearly shows that we need to question the point we have reached today in terms of empathy and social sensitivity.”
“Previously, there was a common consciousness of ‘being a nation’ in sorrow and joy; this enabled us to unite in the face of disasters, sharing pain and fostering solidarity,” said Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan, adding, “Especially the thought of ‘nothing happened to me, so I’m lucky’ appears as a defense mechanism used to ignore pain and keep it mentally at bay.”
Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan, Head of Üsküdar University Department of Sociology, evaluated the scene created by holidaymakers hitting the slopes indifferently to what was happening in surrounding hotels while bodies were still being searched for in the debris of the hotel fire in Kartalkaya.
Holidaymakers hitting the slopes indifferently…
Regarding the events after the fire, Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan stated, “While bodies were still being searched for in the debris of the hotel fire in Kartalkaya, the scene created by holidaymakers hitting the slopes indifferently to what was happening in surrounding hotels once again deeply wounded our consciences as a society. This scene, bringing together pain and entertainment in the same frame, clearly shows that we need to question the point we have reached today in terms of empathy and social sensitivity.”
We are witnessing a significant erosion of concepts such as mourning, solidarity, and neighborliness
Stating that concepts such as mourning, solidarity, and neighborliness, which have deep roots in our society's cultural memory for centuries, are largely eroding, Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan continued:
“In the past, when there was a funeral in our close vicinity, let alone enjoying ourselves, we would even refrain from turning on the television or radio at home. This approach, which did not even deem loud laughter appropriate, showed how Anatolian wisdom harbored a deep culture of empathy. Such an attitude was not just a rule of etiquette but also a reflection of feeling the pain of the grieving in our hearts. However, today we see this sensitivity gradually weakening. When it comes to major disasters such as forest fires or earthquakes, some segments of society who are unaffected continue their lives as if nothing happened, which is the most concrete indicator of this. Yet, in the past, there was a common consciousness of ‘being a nation’ in sorrow and joy; this enabled us to unite in the face of disasters, sharing pain and fostering solidarity. Today, unfortunately, it is not difficult to observe that this sense of sharing has weakened.”
Both our reflexes of solidarity are blunted and our culture of empathy is eroding!
Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan, also noting that various factors lie behind this change, said, “Firstly, with the widespread adoption of modern urbanization and individualism, we have come to prefer retreating into our private spaces rather than seeing ourselves as part of a collective structure. Focusing on our own lives and problems pushes social responsibility and sensitivity into the background. Thus, both our reflexes of solidarity are blunted and our culture of empathy is eroding. Additionally, today's popular culture is built upon the mottos of ‘living in the moment’ and ‘enjoying life.’ Consumer culture constantly drives us to pursue new experiences, shopping, and entertainment. Within a constantly changing, rapidly flowing agenda, social pains and losses quickly fall off the agenda.”
The thought of ‘nothing happened to me, so I’m lucky’ ignores the pain…
On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan stated that the impact of social media in this process is undeniable, continuing:
“News about social pains and losses circulates very quickly but falls off the agenda just as quickly. This situation sometimes opens the door to ‘desensitization.’ In the past, sorrows experienced at a local level were felt and shared by those around for a longer time; whereas now, people constantly encountering images of disasters from all corners of the world can quickly get used to even extraordinary situations. Especially the thought of ‘nothing happened to me, so I’m lucky’ appears as a defense mechanism used to ignore pain and keep it mentally at bay.”
Respecting those who mourn and the lost is one of society's fundamental values…
Despite all these developments, Prof. Dr. Barış Erdoğan pointed to the fundamental truth that should not be forgotten, stating, “Pain lightens when shared. Mourning, or at least showing respect to those who mourn and the lost, is not merely an old tradition; it is also one of the fundamental values that make a society a society. If we want to protect these values, we need to take steps to revive solidarity and strengthen empathy. Social responsibility and sensitivity are possible not only in moments of pain but also by keeping collective consciousness and human values alive in all areas of daily life. Carrying the spirit of solidarity that exists in our common past into the future is a duty that we all must undertake shoulder to shoulder.”