Public Shaming

"With this book, Jon Ronson says he hopes to make people aware of the real-life damage

we inflict when we hoist our online pitchforks and torches and demand someone's destruction

as the price for their errors."

Jon Ronson

So You've Been Publicly Shamed

(Interview on Musings, produced by Parnassus)

In the 1800's, public shaming came to an end, and none too soon.  It is of interest how it has returned through the use of the Internet.  Through careless remarks, unleashed judgment, and unsubstantiated facts, people are going online with statements and then finding themselves publicly humiliated.  Even though the initial comment might be socially unacceptable or politically incorrect, what right do we have to counter attack with equal harshness?  

The speaker usually responds by saying they were 'kidding' or misunderstood, but why would a person disrespect themselves by using false humor or slander?  Why float dark humor onto the Internet if you really don't believe it to be true?  The counter attacks have led to job dismissals and embarrassments beyond imagination.  In doing so, have we not made a mountain out of a mole hill by bringing more fuel to it?  We all need to be accountable for what we say, when we say it, and how we state it.

We can come across jokes or articles or quotes upsetting to us; but, can we not be above such insensitivity in our response or can we not respond with our personal truth without being lesser than our potential?  We have the option of moving along to something else or if we feel challenged, indeed respond; but do so integrity.

Think before you speak.  

Respect yourself as well as others.  

If you can't say something nice ...