I guess when the online world and social media came as one of the developments facilitated by technology, people, many of them didn't have a foresight of the problems we see it pioneering today. From one concern to another, it leaves people, at least some, considering if this gift of technology is worth the issues emanating from it constantly and from time to time. Nevertheless, we need this technological development and we see how helpful it has been.
One of the issues and concerns with the online world, and that which seems to have a prevalence in modern day and time is the cancel culture. This is when people online rally together and collectively criticise, reject and withdraw support from someone. It can even call for them to be ignored by brands, organisations, and not to be associated with. That could be a lot for a person to handle, right? Especially if you understand how vile people can be online.
Not many are able to bear it. In fact, many won't be able to, especially when they've taken time and effort to build a life in the online space. This is usually because they said or did something considered offensive and unacceptable. From the look of it, celebrities and public figures are usually the ones who suffer more from this cancel culture since they have the audience and online presence, so even the little things they say or do go far and wide.
Cancel culture however, can affect all. Sometimes, it's the little unexpected things that go viral and consequently get one cancelled. Nevertheless, we can't take away the fact that some things people say or do are actually offensive and wrong, and that calls for attention to the matter, asking for them to be confronted for that unacceptable thing because there's a need to address such things to somehow maintain and sustain sanity, and what's right.
If only that were the case. But it's not. What should be positive correction and rebuke turns into anger, hate and the destruction of the person. How far is too far? Where is the line drawn? These are important questions to ask. It's necessary because we can't say people shouldn't be positively corrected for the wrong and offensive things they say or do, even if there's the claim that it doesn't hurt anyone, one of the fallacies I've come to know in life.
I say this because we can think of and mention some disturbing and unacceptable things that if someone did or said them and somehow affected us, we wouldn't just let it go by so as to be nice or so. I also think that doing so can be pushed too far when people try to go the route of cancelling others. Even before a person makes their case, they're sometimes cancelled and left with a negative tag that goes from the online world to physical life and affairs.
Perhaps, it's a matter of double consideration here. People shouldn't be ignored for the unacceptable things they say or do, but should also be left to the law, especially when they're or will be punished. If possible, make a defence for themselves. Taking laws into hands isn't usually a viable option. People can also change, and what if they were wrongly interpreted or misunderstood? The online space is unforgiving, so let's also be mindful of what we say or do.
Image is AI generated.
