Oh, no, you're quite right - it is terrible. That emotion's quickly beaten out of children, and any signs of it are an easily exploited weakness, or so they believe.

It's one of the reasons I knew Jaka Teken'duis couldn't be trusted - he hasn't an ounce of compassion left in him. Or if, by some fluke he does, he won't show it. Especially not so publicly. [ /end rant ]