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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
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
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How do we think about cancel culture?
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Cancel culture must be cancelled

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Cancel culture discourages dialogue and creates a climate of fear

Cancel culture threatens to destroy the lives and livelihoods of its victims for holding unpopular views. In this, it creates a social environment in which few have the courage to express themselves for fear of being attacked.
Andrew Yang
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The Argument

There is a contradiction in a movement that claims to dismantle institutionalized oppression, yet thrives on fear mongering. Cancel culture refers to boycotting a person's career or public platform in response to allegations of misconduct, often in the form of distasteful comments or opinions. People use this method to respond to and counter views they see as harmful to society. But when their attacks focus on the people themselves, and their livelihoods, it raises the stakes in a way that people aren't ready to deal with yet. Cancel culture involves effectively shunning a person out of their jobs and out of society. The threat of this kind of exile creates fear online and in the real world. People become afraid that they will become the next target, the next person to be exiled. What's more, they almost expect their favorite celebrities and personalities to be exiled as well, as more and more renowned figures get "cancelled." Rather than create a more equal society, cancel culture fosters discord, fear and a social hierarchy built on conflict. Instead of encouraging dialogue, it makes people withdraw their voice. People no longer feel comfortable speaking freely; after all, they don't want to be the next person cancelled.

Counter arguments

Cancel culture serves to deter the spread of views that are objectively and irrevocably opposed to modern society, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. If racists and sexists feel stifled by this movement, that’s good; they should be, and that’s the point of this movement. But such people are the only ones who have cause for fear. For everybody else, cancel culture actually creates a more liberating environment; one free from hate and prejudice, and those who propagate it.

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Rejecting the premises

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This page was last edited on Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 20:10 UTC

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