Unlike Wallace, I don't think empathy is that important because it's not possible, at least if you care you can feel something close to empathy and sympathy . I too sometimes find myself not caring about things ranging from homework to natural disasters. It's that sense of "Who cares, no one bothers me." I have to learn to avoid these thoughts and empathy doesn't apply in this case because I've never experienced a major natural disaster. It is the thought that I cannot simply sympathize with someone, but that I must care for the well-being of everyone around me. This is what needs to be taught, empathy is just a fantasy, but caring enough to act on those feelings is something I try and strive for. It's not easy to do and I find myself losing control of my altruism, but I've had to teach myself that taking care of myself is more important than anything else. This is how the people I watch on the news go out and help those in need, like victims of natural disasters. They have learned to take care of themselves, which I need in my educational “food pyramid”.