Conflating fatalism with irresponsibility is a popular opinion. There are many paths to this mindset but most are reactive and instinctual, not intentional at all.

For example, the wounded sometimes struggle to find courage, the betrayed sometimes hesitate to trust, and underdogs sometimes give up early. People are people.

It’s important to understand this because scolding or shaming a discouraged or weary person for not doing enough usually does more harm than good. If you want someone to help change something, you must

1. Convince them that change is actually possible,
2. Inspire them with how much better things could be, and
3. Show them what they can do to affect that change.