I recently saw a YouTube video that was titled Random Acts of Kindness where through several clips from the internet the YouTuber was explaining and displaying people being kind to others (relatives, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, and animals). These were as varied in their setting as they were in their participants.
The first thing that caught my attention was the word random. This word is defined as “Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective: synonym: chance.” I gather by the use of this word the one posting these clips is suggesting that acts of kindness are not common. Without knowing when the clips were recorded it is difficult to determine the span of time all these clips encompassed. But the idea is that they were “caught on camera” sporadically and not expected or scripted. With that in mind, I started to wonder if this was accurate or is it possible that many if not most people are kind when they see someone in need or distress? None of the clips would reflect the person showing the kindness to be a “hero”. The presentation was more of an “average” person taking time to help someone/something that needs assistance.
Now I know theologically that no one is good except God (Luke 18:19). And I am seasoned enough to know that the news media flourishes on bad and anxiety-driven stories that will drive viewership and revenue. However, I think there is enough evidence that the average person would stop to help another person in need. The world of panhandling and street corner begging depends on the kindness of others. Non-profit organizations depend on people being kind and generous to help their cause. The whole of society is dependent on people being kind enough to be civil and peace/law-abiding. So are acts of kindness really that “random”? Or is it true that there are a lot of these acts that are simply just not “notarized” by a camera?
I think the YouTuber just used that term because it is well known of a cliche and works to get folks to click on the video.