Have you ever wondered how a simple expression, a thought shared wrongly or interpreted in a distorted way, can turn into a merciless collective judgment? Welcome to the era of Cancellation Culture, a phenomenon that began in 2014 in the United States, with social media as the main stage. But is this spectacle of digital lynching really as ephemeral as some suggest?
For those who have never come into contact with this term, being “cancelled” means being excluded and the target of various judgments, whether for expressing something in the wrong way or being interpreted in the wrong way. It’s a very fine line.
Judgment habits are nothing new. If we look back at history, we will see public squares where people gathered to watch executions, feeding a dubious sense of justice or, perhaps, a morbid pleasure in witnessing other people’s misfortune.
Social networks did not create the cancellation, they just gave everyone a voice. Before, people thought, but didn’t have much opportunity to express themselves; Now everyone has a megaphone. However, the use of this megaphone often lacks wisdom, resulting in a barrage of offenses. Moralists distribute rules about what “should” or should not be done or thought, focusing more on others than on ideas.
There is an evident paradox: the defense of freedom of expression coexists with the mania of wanting to monitor what others say and think. Defenders of democracy often become the first to dictate rules. Is believing in “political correctness” really necessary? Can’t we just disagree?
To reflect on these questions, it is worth mentioning Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist who wrote the book ’12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos’. In his first chapter, he says: “Ideologies replace true knowledge, and ideologues are always dangerous when they gain power, for simplistic, know-it-all behavior is at the price of the complexity of existence.”
Honestly, who are we to judge? As Mrio Srgio Cortella rightly puts it, we are all “underground vices”. More empathy, understanding and less judgment are essential. It’s okay to disagree; The issue is when disagreeing turns into a crusade to tarnish someone’s image simply due to a difference of opinion, whether against public figures, brands or even those closest to us.
In an era where internet access facilitates the sharing of opinions, we forget that behind each “profile” there is a person of flesh and blood. Virtual cancellation transcends screens, reaching real lives and damaging not only reputations, but also emotional well-being.
Many feel like “cancelling” each other, assuming that everyone has the same experience, access and understanding of the world. However, these cancellations are often motivated by extremely superficial reasons. Imagine how boring life would be if everyone shared the same opinion? Diversity is the essence of progress.
In view of this, the appeal is clear: do not “cancel”. Dialogue, explain, listen and debate. True education and learning lies in the ability to understand diverse perspectives. In a virtual world marked by polarization, empathy becomes our only lifeline.
* This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the vehicle
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