When someone cuts you off in traffic or posts a conspiracy theory online, there's that voice in your head that says "I would never." But would you really never? If you had lived their exact life - same parents, same friends, same traumas and triumphs - you'd probably be doing exactly what they're doing right now.

This sounds like a recipe for pure empathy, right? Just imagine walking in everyone's shoes and forgive everything? Yeah right. Because this insight cuts both ways. If we're all just products of our circumstances, what happens to personal responsibility? Should we stop expecting better from people because "they can't help it"?