Shaming on the internet | The Discussion Page
Synopsis
Shaming on the internet
The effectiveness and the limitations of shaming
It is never ok to shame
Shaming is a deliberate violation of human value, and is lashon hara (defamation).
The goal of shaming is to do harm using verbal violence.
It is sometimes ok to shame
There are instances where shaming aims to solve a problem or prevent harm to society.
For example, one might say shameful things about one person in order to protect or warn another person
Summary
Is it ever ok to shame someone in order to solve a problem or to prevent harm?
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The Discussion
Opening Discussion
I agree with Maimonides. Words can really affect someone, and so it’s important to avoid saying something or sharing information that will have a negative effect on someone else, unless not doing so will have some other major negative consequence.
I do not agree with Rabbi Yochanan. I think that his perspective is very biblical and ancient. During his time, I think that this is appropriate, however now this is an impossible request. In the time of war, one must fight for what they believe and yet they are shaming and hurting others, but this is for a cause.
This said, I still feel that we should–to the best of our abilities–help others even if some harm may come to us, but this is based on how one judges the situation.
The Bright Side of Internet Shaming
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-bright-side-of-internet-shaming/
‘Vote shaming’ Trump supporters is fair. What they have done is shameful
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/19/hamilton-mike-pence-trump-voters-safe-space
It is notable that it is still a serious violation of the law to say something “harmful” even if what one says is true. This really preaches the value of pure kindness which is so important. There is no need to say something harmful that may shame someone even if this is true. This will just make someone feel worse about their actions which they most likely already feel badly about. However, if this person does not know that his/her actions are harmful to others or themselves then I believe that it is important to tell this person that these actions are having a negative impact on people even if it may cause shame. When a situation escalates or becomes similar to this one each person must make his/her own judgement call while balancing competing values.
Opening Discussion
Last Posts
I disagree with this article.
No matter if it is human nature or not,
internet shaming is bad and should not be practiced.
‘Vote shaming’ Trump supporters is fair.
What they have done is shameful
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/19/hamilton-mike-pence-trump-voters-safe-space
I disagree with this article. No matter if it is human nature or not, internet shaming is bad and should not be practiced.
Reena Zuckerman
I disagree with this article.
No matter if it is human nature or not,
internet shaming is bad and should not be practiced.
While I do believe what some of the supporters have done is unforgivable and shameful, shaming is never the answer. First of all, many of them are just educated differently and have never commited any violent acts. Secondly, even for the people who have said and done terrible things, you don’t want to respond with the same thing, that makes the situation worse.
Josh Gans
have done is unforgivable and shameful,
shaming is never the answer.
First of all, many of them are just educated differently
and have never commited any violent acts.
Secondly, even for the people who have said and done terrible things,
you don’t want to respond with the same thing, that makes the situation worse.