The entire world had become corrupt and evil. Immorality had become a normative lifestyle. Yet, we find no indication that this rampant miscreancy was noticed by anyone other than Hashem. He observed the situation and responded accordingly. Why did anyone not challenge the reprehensible manner in which the people were acting? Rav Simcha Zisel M’Kelm responds that, specifically because everyone was obsessively involved in sin, their perspective of evil was distorted.
One whose glasses are tinted blue will see blue wherever he looks. Even if someone points out the folly of his ways to the sinner, he will not take notice while he is submerged in the mire of sin. He must first have a hirhur teshuva, thought of repentance. This small inspiration is the beginning of the withdrawal of the cloud of subjectivity which distorts his vision. He can then take a hard look at his sins and initiate their expiation.
