Public Affairs Conference - Shunning and shaming in the modern era

Live Zoom webinar panel session (see conference website for Zoom link)

Many people have been told “you should be ashamed of yourself” or “shame on you.” For some, shaming is a more acceptable way of modifying behavior than using physical or other forms of punishment. Technology and social media have opened powerful new platforms for people to accuse and shame others. Often, lies are spread without evidence, and the words are recorded for perpetuity. The terms cancel culture, calling out and calling in are often heard in the media. Whether these are new concepts or methods as old as humankind, what do they illuminate about the present American society? How does shame change or deter behavior? What is the price of public ridicule in terms of stress, depression and internalized low self-worth? How can people better express disagreement without furthering divides?