Comment by ChrisMarshallNY

Just that we consider "others," (with the exception of a close entourage) to be "non-player characters." Basically, shallow simulacrums, with no feelings, standalone, not connected with others, and that can be "disposed of," or "forgotten," with no personal consequences.

We don't have to allow anyone other than ourselves, any agency or consideration.

That makes it very easy to reduce everyone else into one-dimensional caricatures, easy to attack, dismiss or neglect.

Like I said, this has always been a feature of normal human tribalism, but it seems to have gotten a shot of steroids, sometime recently.

I have found, for myself, that closely interacting with as many others as possible; especially ones that challenge me, has helped me to avoid that.