Great Britain’s heightened state of security in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing. Photograph by Katie Chan

The Manchester bombing is just the latest example of man’s inhumanity to man. But it’s hardly the only one.

There’s the caning of two men in Indonesia for no other reason than they engaged in gay sex.

Then there’s the Trump budget, the anti-Robin Hood, taking from the poor to give to the rich.

These examples are not all equal. Those who would be affected adversely by the Trump budget and the caned men are at least still alive, which is more than you can say for the 22 souls lost in the Manchester Arena bombing May 22.

But what these three have in common is a fear of the other that leads to hatred. What is wrong with people? Have hard times and technology calcified their souls? Is this just the animal side of human nature? Has it always been there?

Or is it about power – the power of a bomb, the power of government? In other words, do people act in a corrosive, destructive way because they have the power to do so?

All the more reason for us to double down, to show compassion to others, to hold our leaders accountable to that compassion.

Education can help. It’s a spur to enlightenment. But it’s not enough. There are plenty of educated people who care nothing for others. You’ve got to feel for others and you’ve got to be moved to act on those feelings.

Such empathy is the only thing that will save us.