back from the borderline digital scapegoats and the ritual of outrage
Nov 18, 2025
In the digital age, a single misstep can spark mob outrage, transforming individuals into targets of public shaming. The podcast delves into the psychology behind this phenomenon, exploring concepts like projection and mimetic desire. It highlights the thrill of outrage, how distance dissolves empathy, and the neurological rewards of cruelty. Meanwhile, it contrasts the chaos of social media with the structured accountability of courtrooms, underscoring the need for mercy alongside justice in our collective response to wrongdoing.
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The Thrill And Emptiness Of Outrage
- Outrage gives a quick moral high that feels like justice but often leaves emptiness afterward.
- The crowd's condemnation functions as a ritual that reassures participants of their righteousness.
Projection And Mimetic Outrage
- Projection and mimetic behavior drive people to attack traits in others they refuse to face in themselves.
- Outrage spreads because imitators validate each other, converting crowds into mobs against one target.
The Cycle Of Digital Shaming
- Online shaming follows a predictable cycle: offense, herald, pile-on, collapse, silence, reset.
- The process lacks repair, producing repeated spectacles rather than meaningful accountability.
