Melanie Swan is founder of DIYgenomics, a non-profit research organization founded in March 2010 to realize personalized medicine through crowdsourced health studies and apps. One of the project is ‘Social intelligence genomics & empathy-building’….

If a writer feels nothing for her characters, how can we expect the reader to feel something? Our lack of emotional investment will show on the page. Our characters will feel wooden, stereotypical, and lacking in life. Here are some ideas for deve…

Contrary to empathic distress, love and compassion are positive states of mind that reinforce our inner ability to confront others’ sufferings. If a child is hospitalized, the presence of a loving mother at his side who holds his hand and comfort…

Empathy is the most significant factor in relationshipsRelationships are the most important things we have. Connections with our family, friends, coworkers, and spouses are the most valuable assets we could ever acquire, and they add more value to our …