It seems like if the statement is literal, then it’s self-disproving, since the person cares enough to say that, and the person who they were saying that to cared enough to say whatever they said or did prior. Also the likelihood of no one (as in, no human I guess?) caring about what they had to say seems very low, and chances are a large number of other people probably would care, too.
If the statement isn’t literal but more rhetorical, then I’m not sure what it means, but I suspect it basically just means “I don’t care” (as in the person who says “No one cares” doesn’t care themself and wants to express this in a way that seeks to hold more weight by asserting that all other people feel the same sentiment as them, even though arguably they demonstrably care somewhat if they went out of their way to say that, I guess depending on effort required, or perhaps didn’t care originally but then developed some degree of care as a result of the annoyance they felt at being exposed to something)… or maybe it just means “I don’t like what you said/did” or “I’m annoyed by you”… alternatively it could mean “I think you’re stupid/worthless”, “I disagree with you” or “I don’t want you to speak/speak about this again”, or similar.
Anyhow, what is the most appropriate way to respond to this? It seems like an emotionally charged statement that warrants, perhaps being completely ignored, or maybe a measured response seeking to find some understanding or common ground, though a witty retort could be appropriate if respectful (I don’t believe 2 wrongs make a right, unless the first wrong somewhat necessitates the second, if that makes sense). That said, I’m open to hearing any kind of replies that might be given, regardless of how cordial/civil (or not) they are.
It’s like “fuck”, it means several different things depending on context.
For example, there’s also the meaning of lamenting that people seem too cavalier, ignorant, or dismissive of something you feel is important.
But you’re right, the meaning in context is sometimes unclear and there are better ways to communicate your feelings.
As for responses, you could always go with a polite “What do you mean?”
I was playing an online team game the other day. A team mate was banging on about how well he was doing and how he was going to post a video to tiktok, I said “dude, no one cares”, he didn’t post anything after that.
I actually really regret it and wish I could be a more positive person, I’m not sure how though.
It has been my experience 100% of the time that if someone says “No one cares” they in fact do care. People who don’t care say nothing.
So I pretty much agree with your assessment that it’s Self-disproving.
Whether the person saying it actually cares or not is irrelevant. They’re saying it to be rudely dismissive of what is being said while simultaneously trying to sound like a badass for attempting to speak for everyone else.
i.e., Being assholes for clout.
It’s schoolyard bullshit that shows the person saying it still has a bit of growing up to do.
