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Using Collins Dictionary, the word ‘Cancel’ means ‘to revoke or annul: to delete: to cross out’, and the word ‘Culture’ means ‘The total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which constitutes the shared bases of social action: The total range of activities and ideas of a people. We expect that nearly everyone reading this has come across an instance of modern Cancel Culture. Whether that be a canceled actor, comedian or writer. This group project will look into the history of Cancel Culture, contemporary examples of Cancel Culture and from these attempt to predict the future of this phenomenon.
‘Cancel culture’ seems to often be a popular opinion (even if it is a vocal minority) going up against traditionally held beliefs and in some cases, widely regarded facts for better or worse.
What do you think can be done to tackle ‘Cancel Culture’ in a fair way? For example a court trained and given the power to rule on such things might do a better and fairer job of ruling and introduce a degree of structure. Any ides discussed by your team, the pros and cons?
Cancel Culture is something that is happening a lot on social media. Therefore I don’t think we can really have a fair way to deal with it. The best option is to have a discussion rather than to just cancel everyone. But it is hard on social media to do that. Moreover cancel culture depend on what people think so it’s really difficult to have it structure. Because we all don’t have the same way of thinking so what might be offensive for one might not be for someone else which create conflicts. At the end it’s really about how people behave and how they respond. And it’s hard to structure that.
‘Cancel culture’ is concerning where it genuinely restricts freedom of expression and tarnishes people’s reputations with misinformation, but I feel it also useful in combating powerful figures with a lot of influence over a high number of impressionable ‘fans’ or supporters, and who are otherwise unaccountable for their words or actions, and it can often merely be a consequence of those words or actions. Do you think there is a way to balance holding such figures to account without traversing down the ‘slippery slope’ of authoritarianism and censorship, or will it largely be one or the other?
I think it depends on the person who is being cancelled. Sometime what we call cancel culture is just holding someone accountable for their actions. If the person being cancelled understand why and is open for discussion and apologies then it is only their actions that got cancelled. Many people today almost got cancelled but because they apologize they still have a successful career.
In many cases there are laws already in existence which would stop influential people from spreading information which could be described as hatred or misinformation. The trouble with recent government legislation (according to critics) in places like Scotland is that the definitions of hatred are too vague and the everyday citizen may not know what is or isn’t acceptable to say. Especially if it is a subjective issue like trans rights. As we’ve seen with Covid guidance, it’s impossible to create a set of rules which covers all bases.
Do you think that “cancel culture” is an entirely new thing invented as society has become more willing to stand up for their believes/became more easily offended. Or you do you think it is replacing something similar from the past?
I think cancel culture existed for a long time maybe not under this name. It became a thing when people decided enough was enough and also cancel culture becomes very toxic when people are really easily offended and take things out of their context.
Replacing something similar from the past. There are examples throughout history of people being ‘cancelled’ for unpopular views. Social media has made made it more widespread.
Do you guys think that cancel culture is as intense nowadays is it was in the historical examples you gave?
It is pretty intense nowadays. It is easier to be cancelled because more and more topics are becoming taboo ( gender, racism, sexual orientation, money…) and people don’t tolerate that much mistakes concerning those topics.
Do you believe cancel culture is a truly new concept or is it just a coined name to replace something that was already happening in the past?
We do not believe that the concept is something new. Several terms have been used in history essentially meaning the same thing as it does now. Take the American boycotting of the British for example, essentially the cancellation of an entire nation.
Do you think that, despite the current trends and history, there is a chance for cancel culture to die out or at least become less prevalent in the future?
No. It’ll continue as its human nature. It may take different forms though. Our essay covered this point in more detail.
Do you think that cancel culture could just be seen as a current trend as, for example, on platforms like tiktok it tends to be whoever other people are hating on or cancelling others join in. Do you think eventually people realise how harmful it is and stop.
They won’t stop, I’m afraid. Unless the platform is removed. Human nature and history suggests it never ends.
do you believe the effects of cancel culture can be reversed if the person were to take accountability and apologise sincerely for their wrongdoing, or is it truly merciless? Furthermore, if the accusations made were to come out as false, can the damage done to their reputation be irreversible despite innocence? if so, is this a sign cancel culture has been taken too far?
Good points here. The issue with CC is that the target may have done nothing wrong and therefore shouldn’t have to apologise. The issue of false accusations will only change when social media platforms are held accountable for their content. Until then, untruths will be spread relatively consequence free.
Do you think cancel culture is actually detrimental to famous people or celebrities? With examples like Ansel Elgort or Louis C.K seemingly coming away unscathed for past deeds.
Celebrities know which way their bread is buttered. Most keep quiet or join the crowd. There are few exceptions. When JK Rowling came under fire for her comments on trans issues, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson metaphorically threw her under a bus, despite the fact that her books made their careers.
A recent example of cancel culture recently has been Travis Scott due to the deviating performance at his shows. Do you feel we have the right to cancel people in situations close to this? Some claim it wasn’t his fault and others say he should be cancelled as he could see what was going on around him. How do we collectively know when cancel culture goes to far especially in terms of the celebrity’s mental health. (Disclaimer the events at astroworld are horrifying I’m not taking sides just wondering)
Do you think cancel culture is more focused on smaller, less consequential problems than it is on big issues, if so why has this become the case? Also, do you believe that cancel culture doesn’t allow the opportunity for change and growth?
I think it focused on whatever the topic of the day is. It has always been this way. Change can only occur when it has popular consent, some elements of cancel culture try to affect change before that popular consent can be achieved. For example, the gay rights movements of the 1980s and 1990s looked to persuade people that gay men and women were the same as everyone else only with a different sexual preference. This was very successful. The current LGBTQA+ movement focuses on what makes us all different. This has caused some contention in my opinion.
It’s at the same time equally as frightening as it is amazing. Unfortunately, in this day and age of fake news, misinformation and god knows what else it may end up doing more harm than good in the long term. Just because you don’t like what someone says doesn’t mean you hold a higher moral ground than they do…
Do you think, with the rise of ‘Cancel Culture’ and the impact it can have, that there could be a negative domino effect on things like free speech?
Given that people who’ve fallen victim to Cancel Culture, rightly or wrongly have sometimes had everything crumble around them. Do you think people might become afraid to speak out on certain topics, or feel as if they can’t in fear of being ‘Cancelled’