The "world" as most people on HN define it consists of the more stabilized parts of the Earth, perhaps because the participants in both HN and media come from those parts. So, I'll hazard a guess that the "world" cares more about French editors being slaughtered because it brings the violence uncomfortably close to home. Also, perhaps more people of the "world" can relate to the French editors than poor African villagers.

It's a sad state to be sure. Until we have some kind of common ground, it is harder to feel empathy. I will admit that I was much more shocked by this attack than the slaughter that you mention, which I even now know little about.

People don't really care about fighting extremism, they just want to be right.

The whole things is just a charade. Not because we suddenly want to stand up for free speech and civil rights. But because we are so terribly afraid of being just as wrong as the extremists. That we would know of, if not instigated, the terrible faith of hundreds of thousands of muslims in the last decade and didn't really do anything about it.

Yeah, I agree with what you're saying. As I get older, I get pretty depressed about certain aspects of the state of the world. I have three kids, and I want them to experience the wonderment and beauty of the world that I saw growing up.