"[Orwell] realised that he didn’t know how everyday people lived, so his experiments in the late 1920s and 30s of tramping in London were a form of travel really, or experiential adventuring. He was trying to experience how other people lived, to get a taste of their lives. By doing so, he discovered that empathy isn’t something that makes you good but something that is good for you. So for me, Orwell is one of my great empathic heroes." (emphasis mine)
I admit that, in spite of all the education and opportunities to learn I had, this thought never even crossed my mind. I feel so stupid. For instance, if you look at Jesus not in religious but simply in moral or philosophical terms, isn't that the whole point of his teachings? The interviewee makes another great little point about the difference between empathy and sympathy, which in an instant crystallized Buddhist teachings for me. Pretty sure you will find something on this list...
Orwell's "The Road to Wigan Pier" is his study of working class life. A modern version is "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America", by Barbara Page. That predates the "sharing" economy, on which the definitive book has not yet been written. "What's Yours Is Mine", by Tom Slee, may be helpful.
http://fivebooks.com/interview/roman-krznaric-on-the-art-of-...
I especially liked this:
"[Orwell] realised that he didn’t know how everyday people lived, so his experiments in the late 1920s and 30s of tramping in London were a form of travel really, or experiential adventuring. He was trying to experience how other people lived, to get a taste of their lives. By doing so, he discovered that empathy isn’t something that makes you good but something that is good for you. So for me, Orwell is one of my great empathic heroes." (emphasis mine)
I admit that, in spite of all the education and opportunities to learn I had, this thought never even crossed my mind. I feel so stupid. For instance, if you look at Jesus not in religious but simply in moral or philosophical terms, isn't that the whole point of his teachings? The interviewee makes another great little point about the difference between empathy and sympathy, which in an instant crystallized Buddhist teachings for me. Pretty sure you will find something on this list...