Sharing is Not Only Caring

Humans are bombarded with interaction at almost all times of the day. Some consider this constant input to be overwhelming and stressful, while others thrive off of another person's energy. Whatever way humans view the interactive world around them, most people fail to truly appreciate the value of a shared moment. Since people are in constant contact with each other, by way of technology and work settings, there are many spontaneous moments that one experiences with another stranger. As shown in the TED talk with Charlie Todd, some people remain initially closed off to the idea of sharing an absurd experience with a stranger. The "no pants" subway prank featured a girl who was being filmed, unbeknownst to her. When this girl first encounters the unusual experience of seeing various men without pants in a public setting, she is confused, and perhaps a little bit scared. Initially, she made no effort to acknowledge that others in the subway car were sharing the same experience as she. But, the girl eventually noticed two other men reacting to the strange situation with laughter. After seeing this reaction, the girl laughed at the absurdity of the situation along with the men. The girl shifted to being uncomfortable viewing the spectacle alone, from finding a certain humor when she shared the experience with those around her. Perhaps if humans make more of an effort to acknowledge the strangers around them, and seek to share spontaneous experiences with them, people will be happier. They might be able to make laughter out of discomfort, just like the girl, by simply sharing an experience.