This is an interesting post on the true value of kindness.
I would argue that kindness has indeed drastically changed the world:
1. Jesus teaching of the golden rule
2. Martin Luther King Jr non-violent resistance
Still I think the premise that kindness can fall on deaf ears is correct. However the majority of humanity has empathy!
https://freemansperspective.com/why-kindness-doesnt-change-the-world/