Whose Problem Is It?

The original Spider-Man movies with Toby Maguire have multiple cringy scenes that have established it into a fountain of memes. One well-known meme is Peter Parker’s line “I missed the part where that’s my problem,” which he says after he is berated for allowing a robber to escape with a wrestling promoter’s money. This meme is usually incorporated into situations throughout the rest of the trilogy or used with other people’s problems in real life.

While the meme is hilarious, it coincidentally sums up the attitude of most of the population, whether or not they are aware of it. Not a lot of people jump up and down for an opportunity to assist with a situation outside their immediate concern. However, this should not be categorized as just a neglectful, thoughtless attitude.

The Bystander Effect explains that people are less likely to aid someone when they are part of a group. It’s not that they are lacking sympathy for unfavorable circumstances, but rather, they conclude that someone else will help, therefore, they don’t have to. This is referred to as the diffusion of responsibility. Even someone who is usually very helpful can be unknowingly trapped by this social psychological convention.

When people do become aware of the problems other people face, it’s easy to make excuses to not get involved. A person might see an issue that already has another person, group, or organization backing that cause, therefore, what difference can he make?

Others choose not to be involved because it either doesn’t pertain to them or they falsely believe someone else will stand up. Nobody really pays attention until the problem becomes in some way personal.

If everyone believes that another person will help or purposely chooses to refrain from aiding, there will be no progress, and problems will probably worsen. Because Peter Parker abstained from apprehending a robber, it resulted in the death of his Uncle Ben. Not getting involved caused damaging consequences that he could not see, and the same goes for us.

This is not to say that refusing to help will invariably result in losing a loved one, but the repercussions normally fall on the ones who failed to receive aid, and those repercussions can be severe. It goes without saying that people should not wait for a problem to become personal to lend a hand. Think of the story of the Good Samaritan.

In Luke 10:30-37, a man was traveling to Jericho from Jerusalem when he was attacked and left for dead by thieves. Both a priest and a Levite came across him, but instead of helping, they “missed the part where that’s their problem.” Thankfully, a Samaritan was also traversing on the same road.

Instead of passing the man by like the religious figures did, the Samaritan cleaned and wrapped his wounds, put him on his donkey, took him to an inn, and paid for his stay and care. The Samaritan was also planning to pay any extra expenses when he made his way back. What would have happened to the man if the Samaritan “missed the part where that’s his problem” and passed him by as well? The man would have most likely died.

Before Uncle Ben died, he told Peter, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is probably the most famous quote in any Spider-Man movie and the catchphrase that Peter Parker lives his life by. It can also be applicable to us. The phrase resembles a section of Luke 12:48 that states, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” If we have the power to help someone else, we should do what we can, instead of just ignoring it.