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How do we think about cancel culture? How do we think about cancel culture?
Cancel culture is critical for democracy Cancel culture is critical for democracy
Cancel culture is a myth Cancel culture is a myth
Cancel culture must be cancelled Cancel culture must be cancelled
There's no such thing as cancel culture There's no such thing as cancel culture
Cancel culture redresses systemic oppression Cancel culture redresses systemic oppression
Cancel culture is being weaponised by a privileged elite Cancel culture is being weaponised by a privileged elite
Cancel culture is a valuable form of protest that asks society to prioritize justice for victims over perpetrators’ comfort Cancel culture is a valuable form of protest that asks society to prioritize justice for victims over perpetrators’ comfort
Cancel culture typifies the snowflake mentality Cancel culture typifies the snowflake mentality
Cancel culture represents a shift in public accountability Cancel culture represents a shift in public accountability
Cancel culture is a byproduct of smart technology Cancel culture is a byproduct of smart technology
Cancel culture may not be widespread. Cancel culture may not be widespread.
Cancel culture discourages dialogue and creates a climate of fear Cancel culture discourages dialogue and creates a climate of fear
Cancel culture is an insidious form of virtue signalling Cancel culture is an insidious form of virtue signalling
Cancel culture exists to promote a ruthless mob mentality Cancel culture exists to promote a ruthless mob mentality
Cancel culture is rooted in the ethics of white supremacy Cancel culture is rooted in the ethics of white supremacy
Cancel culture endangers democracy and freedom of expression Cancel culture endangers democracy and freedom of expression
Cancel culture represents a crisis where free speech is silenced Cancel culture represents a crisis where free speech is silenced
Cancel culture incorrectly assumes that morality is binary Cancel culture incorrectly assumes that morality is binary
Cancel culture strengthens the surveillance state Cancel culture strengthens the surveillance state
'Cancel Culture' needs to be properly defined 'Cancel Culture' needs to be properly defined
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How do we think about cancel culture?
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There's no such thing as cancel culture

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'Cancel Culture' needs to be properly defined

The way in which this phenomenon is argued, tends to be diluted down to the point where it's rendered frivolous. A proper description needs to be determined if we are to take it seriously.
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The Argument

There is an ongoing dispute by all sides as to how to define this cultural phenomenon. We have an extreme view on one side that denies it exists and is merely a shield with which to avoid legitimate accountability by people of 'privilege' (which can define a wide group of people depending on the circumstances). On the other side, we have those who claim that any and all criticism levelled at them is a form of oppression and should be condemned. Thus you have those who deny that 'Cancel Culture' is even real. One can describe “cancel culture” as a situation in which a person is subjectively aggrieved but the legal route is not an option. As a result, repercussions are sought through shaming or ostracism taking the form of a type of “erasure” towards the 'offender', whereby the 'aggrieved' does not wish to be reminded of the 'offender’s' existence. The 'aggrieved' demand that those in their periphery follow suit by: a) not mentioning the 'offender's' name online (or when they do replace some letters with asterixis). Or b) ensuring that if the 'aggrieved' and those willing participants to his/her cause are "exposed" to this person unintentionally via another medium, then they are to declare that medium is guilty of committing an offence to the 'aggrieved' and must face similar repercussions to the 'offender' unless they “repent”. Therefore, sending a signal to other mediums warning them to not have any reference of the 'offender' so the 'aggrieved' does not have to be reminded of them in their day-to-day life.

Counter arguments

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

This page was last edited on Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020 at 19:25 UTC