What makes us human, I think, is our compassion. This is what compels us to care for other members of our species and what binds us within our social groups. Group membership has long been a key to human survival, since as humans we're pretty weak on our own but absolutely frightening en masse. Back in the pre-DVD era, belonging to a group could keep you fed, clothed, and generally alive, since a bunch of humans can take on woolly mammoths and sabre toothed tigers. Whereas one human would become lunch, several together can serve lunch!

So here's the question: what changed??
We live in the time of the myth of the liberal individual fighting for their own private realization of the American Dream. Power of the group? Not so much anymore. In fact, caring for others is viewed as a weakness if it extends beyond the realm of Xmas foodbank donations or attending a silent auction. Have we then created a society where compassion is a liability, something to be selected against in the great game o' evolution?

At least that would explain why people's compassion glands seem to be shrinking without my having to resort to cynically thinking that humans are just turning into nasty, selfish little f**kers.