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In what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every…

“In what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every spectacular incident of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often unnoted and invisible...” quote by Stephen Jay Gould
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“In what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every spectacular incident of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often unnoted and invisible...”

Stephen Jay Gould

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Acts of kindness vastly outnumber evil, yet the latter receives more attention, highlighting a bias toward sensational negativity.

In simple terms: Kindness is far more common than evil.

Key Takeaway

Notice and amplify everyday kindness.

Themes

kindness evil visibility bias

Mood

hopeful critical

Type

sociological inspirational

When to use this quote

  • news consumption
  • community building
  • education
  • media analysis

Key Concepts

social psychology moral philosophy cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we better recognize unseen kindness?
  • What systems can highlight positive actions?
A Different Perspective

Negativity bias can make kindness seem rare.

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