Throughout history people have done horrific things that are large enough to attract attention, but what about a friend, a family member, or even a teacher? There are many ordinary people in this world committing acts that no one notices, simply because they seem insignificant. In the short story, "The Lottery" by Shirly Jackson, everyone is living their lives the same way many people are living today, guilt free. When the day comes to pick a ticket from the lottery, the unlucky person who picks the black dot gets killed. Everyone throws rocks at that one person and is able to sleep peacefully at night. If someone took a stand, the horror might have been stopped, but unlike "The Lottery", "The Perils of Indifference" by Elie Wiesel explains the difference of being different.

"In the place where [Elie Wiesel] comes from, society was composed of three simple categories: the killers, the victims, and the bystanders." Notice how there is not a category of the title, Hero's. Is everyone too ignorant, and find "it so much easier to look away from victims"? No one is the same, but people do show similar characteristics. Being Protective with family, friends and pets is a natural feeling, and if someone did something hurtful to any of them the people within that family or group may feel threatened to do something about it. Following a tradition in a group, even though it may be wrong, can sometimes give one the feeling of security. Following the path less chosen can sometimes lead to greatness, such as in "The Lottery" if someone stood up, the rest may have stood up and then all would be well.

As for myself, I believe that everyone is influenced by the people that they work with, and talk with. I can picture myself protecting someone I love, but I wouldn't end up killing anyone. Doing something to that extreme is not right, and even though some things in the world are thousands of miles from where we live, we should still try to make a difference. Seeing someone die right in front of you seems more horrible, but what about people in the war? Life could be made a lot easier if the smart people would stand up and make a difference compared to the dumb people who think they know what they're doing.