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I still don't understand "cancel culture." It seems the equivalent of a random person saying "I put a voodoo curse on you." What non-mythological power does it

I still don't understand "cancel culture." It seems the equivalent of a random person saying "I put a voodoo curse on you." What non-mythological power does it invoke? Does it ever lead to mainstream, widespread shunning? The next part I don't understand is the weak culture of profuse and repeated apologizing and contrition for a "microaggression." This is something Bill Maher harps about from time-to-time. Finally, the culture of competitive, and sometimes crybully, victimhood is tedious and nauseating. Why does everyone have to outdo themselves to be the biggest victim? Are you "The Man" to be collectively punished and assaulted if you don't have enough victomology points?

jhrmnn 5y ago
Cancel culture is just a modern form of ostracism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostracism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostracism
fossuser 5y ago
> "Does it ever lead to mainstream, widespread shunning?" It seems like the answer to this is yes? or at least enough to have serious life consequences for those that find themselves on the wrong side of it. Losing your job, losing your spouse, losing your reputation, it's basically a form of ex-communication that can have serious consequences. Mob justice is not a great thing independent of specific instances, there's a reason we moved as a society to courts - they're not perfect, but they're better. Cancelling also conflates two things often, but the mob response is similar. There are people 'cancelled' because they discuss ideas that others disagree with. I think this is the most objectionable. Then there are people cancelled for (often, but not always sexual) behavior - this is more nuanced in the sense that the action may be (but is not always) wrong, but the mob justice is wrong too. There is also a wide spectrum of behavior here that ranges from mild to actual crime, and in the public 'mob justice' sphere (rather than a court) often nuance is lost and the truth is lost too. We have a criminal system, courts, and the presumption of innocence for a reason.

jhrmnn 5y ago

Cancel culture is just a modern form of ostracism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostracism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostracism

fossuser 5y ago

> "Does it ever lead to mainstream, widespread shunning?" It seems like the answer to this is yes? or at least enough to have serious life consequences for those that find themselves on the wrong side of it. Losing your job, losing your spouse, losing your reputation, it's basically a form of ex-communication that can have serious consequences. Mob justice is not a great thing independent of specific instances, there's a reason we moved as a society to courts - they're not perfect, but they're better. Cancelling also conflates two things often, but the mob response is similar. There are people 'cancelled' because they discuss ideas that others disagree with. I think this is the most objectionable. Then there are people cancelled for (often, but not always sexual) behavior - this is more nuanced in the sense that the action may be (but is not always) wrong, but the mob justice is wrong too. There is also a wide spectrum of behavior here that ranges from mild to actual crime, and in the public 'mob justice' sphere (rather than a court) often nuance is lost and the truth is lost too. We have a criminal system, courts, and the presumption of innocence for a reason.