{
  "id": 9975452,
  "title": "If we do not stop to help each other, what do we become?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/if-we-do-not-stop-to-help-each-other-what-do-we-become",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-26T11:02:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Lobsters",
    "slug": "lobsters",
    "url": "https://blog.codinghorror.com/if-we-do-not-stop-to-help-each-other-what-do-we-become/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent email, responding to a post about the decline of Stack Overflow, has stirred a profound reflection on the essence of community and support. The author recounts their own experience of navigating academic and professional challenges during a tumultuous period, vividly illustrating the importance of human connection in the face of adversity.\n\nThey detail a tumultuous period in their life, which included active duty in the Air Force, studying remotely while deployed in Zamboanga, Philippines during a siege that left over 100 dead and 120,000 displaced. Despite the chaos, they managed to do their work and studies, often feeling overwhelmed by the demands placed upon them.\n\nTheir experience with Stack Overflow during these trying times was a lifeline. While many encounters were indifferent or dismissive, the random acts of kindness from strangers on the platform meant the world to them. They emphasized that these interactions went beyond answering questions; they gave them a sense of belonging and purpose.\n\nThe author poignantly notes the difference between an LLM (artificial intelligence) and the human touch of a supportive community. They argue that while an LLM could provide answers, it couldn't replicate the empathy and connection that a community provides. These communities, they suggest, are not just repositories of knowledge, but spaces where individuals feel valued and connected.\n\nReflecting on the hollowing out of communities, they express deep concern about the shift towards impersonal, AI-driven solutions. They fear that we are losing something essential, something that can't be replicated by technology alone – the profound feeling of being cared for and part of something larger.\n\nTheir plea extends beyond a technological critique; it's a call to rekindle the spirit of communal support in our digital spaces. They urge that as communities dwindle, we should strive to foster environments where helping each other is not just encouraged, but expected. They pose a poignant question: if we fail to prioritize mutual support, what kind of society are we creating for ourselves?",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}