You: "What I'm hearing from you is...I tend to append links without a sufficient 'Abstract' to help you decide whether or not you should delve into it, and given your time constraints that puts you off...am I getting "warm"? ...
I get it. But, I see a lot of headlines, and click bait, that I ignore on a regular basis. I'm really good at it. A mildly interesting headline will not lead me to click.
And here is the thing: A failure to click on an emotional link does not mean a general lack of empathy for the issue. Granted, I only have a certain amount of concern to dole out, so I do pick my issues. I long ago decided I can't solve all the world's problems. And, I recently realized I can't solve the nation's problems. I vote. That is all. How upset do I need to get about issues over which I have no control? I just don't think that is healthy. So, I worry about problems closer to home now. You shouldn't assume that means I have no empathy.
You: ...it is totally up to you as to whether you avail yourself of the material, plus you can quit reading anytime you wish... This notion of "Homework Assignments" is beginning to look like a well-worn "trope", but it's your call on that.
Yeah...there is a lot of stuff on the Internet to read. I don't get through my own reading materials. I often close tabs that I myself opened, because I don't have time to read them. Why would I spend energy and time on a tab someone else suggests to me if they can't spend the energy and time to try to make it sound interesting or useful to me? It just feels like I would be caring more about it than they do.
You: ...I always brought data...perhaps that approach has stayed with me and partly explains why I append so many journal articles...they may sound like "Assignments", but I'm just trying to provide more than a simple opinion.
Attaching appendices to a report, and then not providing the report...that is the problem. If you are to give a presentation, or argue for a point, you should do it. Don't just show up to the meeting, and handout the raw materials that led to your conclusion, then accuse people not caring like you do when they get up to leave the room. That's not good advocacy. Weave the data into your cogent argument. Take the time to distill your position to key principles so people can say, "Hmmm. That may be interesting. Maybe I will look further into that."
This is, after all, an internet forum, not a nuclear reactor design team meeting...and it is not even primarily a political forum...although I know it seems like it is.
You: Let me know if you see any progress here.
So far.... :-)