humanity failed.

[keannu]

Does this expression "humanity failed" common? "fail" in what? Without any object, does it make sense?

ex)...Dark tourism is a pheonomen in which people visit a site where a disaster or tragedy occurred...One example of a dark tourism destination is Ground Zero in New York City...But dark tourism sites are important reminders of times when humanity failed. They can help us learn from the mistakes of the past.

 

[Chicken Sandwich]

NOT A TEACHER

To me "humanity fails" does make sense. I don't see why an object is needed. Is it common? Yes, probably. Here's an example of a headline containing the words "humanity failed" Humanity failed in Sri Lanka | Suren Surendiran | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk.

 

[BobK]

This is a usage in which 'fail' is more like the French faillir - to be deficient. Humanity is personified - humanity, which should have higher standards, fell short of what is to be expected. But you could regard 'humanity' as an abstract noun - that which chacterizes people: when 'humanity fails', people are lacking in humanity (in that abstract sense).

Note, keannu, that the word you wanted is 'phenomenon'. ;-)

b

 

[keannu]

Thanks a lot! You pointed out the translation mistake which uses 1. However, I can't decide if it's 2 or 3. The two are all abstract nouns, and I'd go for 3, but what is it?

1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind. 2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

 

[tzfujimino]

Thanks a lot! You pointed out the translation mistake which uses 1. However, I can't decide if it's 2 or 3. The two are all abstract nouns, and I'd go for 3, but what is it?

1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind. 2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

Hello, keannu.:-D
Does the author mention "the mistakes of the past", which are the cases where "humanity failed"?
If s/he does, it will shed more light on your query.
(I can't see what it means in this limited context, either, actually. It could refer to the terrorist attack or...)

 

[BobK]

Thanks a lot! You pointed out the translation mistake which uses 1. However, I can't decide if it's 2 or 3. The two are all abstract nouns, and I'd go for 3, but what is it?

1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind. 2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

3 - though for some believers 2 and 3 amount to the same thing (people who would regard it as tautologous to say 'Human beings should be humane').

b