Should Cancel Culture Exist?

Cancel culture, despite its recent prominence on social media platforms, has been part of human history in various forms. While its current manifestation is influenced by the 24/7 "On" state of social media, it often lacks the constructive dialogue and humility needed for genuine discourse. Instead, it relies heavily on public shaming and coercion. This article explores the nature of cancel culture and its potential downsides.

The Nature of Cancel Culture

Cancel culture is a form of public shaming that targets individuals or groups perceived to have committed wrongdoing. Unlike traditional public discourse, which allows for the exchange of ideas and the possibility of rectification, cancel culture employs coercion and immediate condemnation.

What Is Cancel Culture?

Cancel culture is really just a particular form of public shaming. What makes it particularly bad for society is that it’s not about discourse; it’s more about coercion. A targeted person is identified, and subsequently, this person is made to be perceived in a negative light. Unlike public discourse, the target often has no way to defend themselves beyond petitioning courts or social media companies to censor such behavior. This coercion effectively influences society to take a view of everyone being guilty, and proof of innocence is required first.

Types of Cancel Culture

Doxxing and Swatting

Doxxing involves posting someone’s personal information, especially where they live, exposing them to potential physical harm. An example from my own experience was when a fellow moderator on a forum accidentally posted an IP address and general vicinity of a user's residence, leading to vocal criticism and eventually the moderator's dismissal. Swatting, on the other hand, is a severe form of doxxing, where fake emergencies are called to the authorities, leading to potential harm and even fatalities.

Review Bombing

Review bombing occurs when negative feedback is systematically posted with disproportionate influence. This form of shaming aims to harm a person, product, or company and is used as a method to coerce a change in behavior or policy. My friend’s business was disrupted due to a coordinated group of users posting negative reviews, despite no clear falling out having occurred.

Doctored Images

Doctored images are a clever (or cruel) tactic used to humiliate someone. They involve manipulating images to change someone's appearance and sharing them with their peers or public. A college friend once had a picture of him giving a blowjob shared on Facebook, leading to widespread ridicule. This kind of public humiliation can have serious psychological impacts.

Exaggerated Posts

The most common form of cancel culture involves exaggerated posts about a person's perceived wrongdoing. These posts are often vague and provide little factual basis, leading to widespread condemnation without proper context. This form of shaming frequently occurs on platforms like Quora, where users lack the humility and objectivity to engage in genuine discourse.

Reasons for the Rise of Cancel Culture

One of the key reasons for the rise of cancel culture is the Trump administration. Donald Trump, a popular target for public shaming, has been perceived to have the power and influence to endure such behavior. Additionally, the President himself often engages in public shaming, setting a norm for his followers. The election of such a leader allowed people to choose this form of behavior, making cancel culture a tool of personal and political satisfaction.

The Dangers of Idols

Through cancel culture, individuals choose to have idols and heroes who are unashamed in performing public shaming. We make idols of ourselves, reflecting our values and societal norms. This culture ultimately affects how we treat others and our ability to engage in constructive dialogue.

Conclusion

Cancel culture, while it may serve as a form of public shaming, lacks the constructive dialogue and humility essential for genuine discourse. Instead of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, it often leads to immediate condemnation and coercion. Society must strive for reasonable conversation, debate, and sharing of knowledge in a humble way, rather than deflection and shouting others down.