13 makes a good point. The more people there are, the less likely it is for someone to help. It's just the logic that "someone else will help," but when everyone thinks that, no one helps.

there is also the will it inconvenience me or no, put me in danger or not type effects too that rn through these types of things. also settings and how others perceive the victim...I.e. is victom a 'bum' , drunk, stoned, then they tend to think victim deserves really doesn't need help rather than maybe that person is having a stroke, heart attack, hypoglycemic crisis etc. I watched a video in my social sociology class of a man trying to crawl across a street in the rain, repeatedly collapsing. many cars drove around him, pedestrians stopped, looked and carried on. not one person stopped to help. When the class was asked about the man...barely anyone thought he might be anything but drunk instead of someone in a medical crisis. Very sad it is the immediate thought we tag onto any actions out of the norm.

*of *their

I have shamed my family. -commits seppuku-

This is actually how I read it the first time around. I had to re-read the last sentence a couple of times to understand it.

i know what video you're referring to; the musician was Joshua Bell, a world famous violinist. but this FML was nothing like that

Also, many people wouldn't recognize Joshua Bell if they saw him. While he is indeed very famous in the classical music world, he isn't well-known enough among the general population for any more than a few passers-by to notice him. (I believe 5 people actually did notice him, and one person stopped to talk to him, if I recall correctly.)