From Kristof's article in NYT this morning ...

Some research suggests that wealth may impede empathy. One study at UCB finds that drivers of luxury cars are more likely to cut off other motorists and ignore pedestrians at a crosswalk. Likewise, heart rates of wealthier research subjects are less affected when they watch a video of children with cancer. Likewise, the wealthiest 20% of Americans give 1.4% of their income to charity, versus the poorest 20 percent who give 3.5%.

So how do we increase empathy? Having people think about suffering activates the vagus nerve, which is linked to compassion. Uplifting stories about sacrifice, as well as prayer, meditaiton and yoga. Feelings of awe, like seeing incredible images from space. Going out in nature. Spread of affordable fiction in 18th century expanded empathy by making it easier for people to imagine themselves in the shoes of others.