So, this morning I sit down in one of my "go to" spots to crank out a 10 item to-do list that I emailed myself late last night. (I know, sad when you are emailing yourself). Due to the loud talkers that frequent this "go-to" (a coffee house that will remain nameless), I tend to throw on some headphones in order to focus. Well, of course, I remove them for a moment only to find

They are discussing the overall feel of the space in relation to a handful of homeless folks that show up from time-to-time. A few lines from the conversation:

"It is becoming like a homeless shelter..."

"I was getting pissed off at myself because I was getting frustrated. Why am I frustrated?"

A paraphrased version of what followed: "I have to treat her like a customer, because she... is a customer. I mean - it's hard because you want it to be comfortable - but you don't want it to be too comfortable. Maybe we're too comfortable?"

Throughout the conversation it was implied that "she" (a particular homeless person) had not been around lately - that maybe it had something to do with a conversation or two with some of the employees. One of the employees concluded the exchange with...

"Where did she go?"

Little did they know, I had been asking the same question.

As "she" is a woman who I had gotten to know over the past few weeks. Someone who attends the same church that I do. Someone that would pay for her own coffee. Someone that I saw a manager having a conversation with encouraging her to setup shop elsewhere.

If any of you happened to catch NPR's "Talk of the Nation" this afternoon (listen here), you found yourself in the middle of a fascinating discussion. The topic was "Numbed by the Numbers" - a conversation on how the media's use of numbers typically enhance our detachment from a particular situation or reality. Over 200,000 deaths in Darfur in the last 4 years. 300 anticipated homicides in Baltimore (every year). 101 U.S. deaths in Iraq during the month of June alone. Up to 2 million people sleep "homeless" on any given night.

Ellen Peters , a research scientist at Decision Research, provided some interesting insight on the topic. She stated that throughout their research that most people are more willing to donate and/or support 1 person as opposed to "many" or "multiple" people. For example, most people would be more inclined to support a particular individual (with a name and a story) as opposed to the thousands dying in Darfur.

This lack of interest or concern of the masses she deemed "compassion fatigue" - something that she says "sets in" even when 1 ADDITIONAL PERSON enters the picture. (1 over 2)

Whether your own experience is in agreement or not, "WHY?" becomes an interesting question.

Back to this morning. What I didn't tell you is that the dialogue between the two employees began as a small conversation about the homeless "in general" as well as a group of homeless that shows up to the coffee house on Sundays.

Somewhat interesting... but I took little to no interest in the conversation until a particular individual (she) was discussed.

Why is this?

My ears perked. I stopped what I was doing. I intently listened as now the conversation involved someone that I know. Sure, someone I know very little about; but, someone that I do know. Someone that I looked for when I pulled into the parking spot this morning next to her favorite seat. Someone who has a story. Someone who has a name.