Does Cancel Culture Encourage Groupthink?

Photo Courtesy: Glenn Carstens-Peters, Wikimedia Commons

Cancel Culture is not a novel concept. The act of publicly shaming individuals for moral misconduct can be found throughout history. However, in the age of social media, everyone has the ability to use their voice and platform. It has now manifested into a tool to ostracise and boycott individuals or companies for violating social norms or committing objectionable offenses.

This can, of course, be a positive thing. People, especially those of influence or power, should be held accountable for their actions. I think we can all agree that alleged abusers, racists, or homophobes undoubtedly warrant scrutiny. For example, without the power of social media and collective online activism, the MeToo movement would not have reached the heights it did. Many celebrities were rightfully called out, and it led to many people feeling empowered and finally having a voice. Nevertheless, there is a thin line between accountability and falling into an unproductive chasm of hive-minded mob behaviour– a phenomenon akin to Groupthink.

Cancel Culture, at times, can devolve into a culture of moralistic condemnation, internal policing, and an obsession with individual purity. When someone says something ignorant, tone-deaf, or just has an uninformed viewpoint on certain issues, the response within online discourse does not encourage education or productive discourse. This binary approach assumes malicious intent, labelling individuals as inherently bad and hence ‘cancelled, rather than allowing for growth or understanding.

Influencer and TikToker Madeline Argy recently faced intense backlash for a video she made joking about how she used to tell people how she wanted to live in a sundown town in the US before she became aware of what that actually entailed. Her comment section was filled with users calling her out for joking about such a sensitive topic. Despite the acknowledgment of her ignorance and an attempt at self-reflection, the response was disproportionately harsh, highlighting a lack of nuance in understanding the intent behind the actions.

The nature of social media amplifies this as these complex issues get further condensed and sensationalised into an emotionally triggering caption on Instagram or a short, thirty-second TikTok designed for maximum engagement. Discourse is increasingly becoming very short and attention-grabbing, and this trend not only hinders nuanced discussions but also promotes extreme, either-or positions, despite human nature being much more intricate than such binary perspectives suggest. This relates to the overarching negative effects of social media on society in general.

This leads to societal pressure for conformity and a fear of not saying anything outside of the norms, leading to a culture of uniformity that can only be labelled as Groupthink. The consequence is a watering down of meaningful conversations, conflict resolution, and constructive debates. Complex issues are diluted into a black-and-white discourse where, if the majority wants to be perceived as morally correct, they need to adopt the ‘right’ stance.

Mark Fisher’s thought-provoking essay "Exiting the Vampire Castle” acknowledges and critiques certain trends within leftist activism, emphasising the need for a return to more inclusive and class-oriented politics, focusing on structural issues rather than engaging in divisive internal battles. This primary focus on identity and moral witch hunts, in his view, has taken away discourse and solidarity from class and materialism. Guilt- and shame-oriented social activism further just divides and ostracises movements. You cannot build a strong social movement where everyone is afraid that if they say one thing out of line or are misinformed about any certain topic, they will be ostracised from the movement.

We need to work on moving past this culture of condemnation and creating spaces for disagreement where relevant. Conformity and Groupthink must give way to critical thinking and nuanced discussions. While a society rooted in values devoid of hate, racism, or homophobia is desirable, enforcing these values through positive reinforcement and inclusivity is key. Maybe then we can work towards a more harmonious and less polarised society.