It's like Kierkegaard's example of the mob who collectively intimidates but every member argues they have contributed virtually nothing, and so any sort of responsibility is simply dissolved.

Anyone who is responsible needs to be aware of the holistic system that they're part of and that they are enabling rather than just their own little world. That's no excuse.

Consider this menu of possible ways to be associated with a human rights violation:

- Do it yourself.

- Be a part of the chain of command that ordered it.

- Be commanded by the chain of command that ordered it.

- Be part of the same organization as the one that contains the chain of command that ordered it.

- Be a member of the society that contains the organization that contains the chain of command that ordered someone to do it.

- Be a member of another society, that could have tried to stop it, but didn't.

Where do we switch from participant to accomplice to bystander to "completely uninvolved?"

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.

edit: In case it isn't clear: You just chose sides right there in your comment.

yes - and I've done incredibly well during it. I also know change doesn't come for free. the sad thing is the bigger the companies the smaller the spines of the individuals working there.

We all put thoughts into our own well being. When sufficiently comfortable or successful at that we start caring for people we interact with on a daily basis. When that too is a reasonable success we start doing stuff for people we interact with less frequently. At some point you can chose to go look for people who need our help, do something for the town, the city, the country, humanity etc There is tremendous joy to be had in this process and it builds character. I admire people like that.

People who don't do it are missing out. They in stead keep telling themselves they can't do anything for others knowing they are lying. The endless rationalization of the irrational takes a huge amount of time until they graduate themselves in the DIY course in psychopathy. In their ego trip they end up feeling sorry for themselves. In their self inflicted blindness to what misfortune looks like the self pity knows no boundaries. Also: no one loves me! I wonder why that is? They keep trying to spend money to buy happiness but all they get is cheap thrills. Some end up in a pathetic cycle where all they can do is expand their wealth, ignoring even their partner and their kids. They don't have time for that, they have important other things to do. I pity people like that. If I can think of some way to help them with their condition I will do the responsible thing.