The Esau McCaulley Podcast Vaccines, Parental Rights, and the Public Good
Sep 25, 2025
Malcolm Foley, a scholar at Baylor University, joins Esau to navigate the murky waters of modern outrage culture sparked by a viral Phillies game incident. They dive into Florida's decision to eliminate school vaccine mandates, weighing parental rights against public health concerns. The conversation also critiques the current state of Disney, revealing its shift from a family-friendly destination to a luxury experience catering to the wealthy, thereby highlighting issues of inequality and accessibility.
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Outrage Without Proportionality
- Social media amplifies unregulated emotional outrage and flattens distinctions between minor and major harms.
- Esau McCaulley argues public shaming often lacks proportionality and humility when applied broadly.
Phillies Foul Ball Viral Moment
- Esau recounts the viral Phillies home run ball incident where a man gave the ball to his son then to a woman to de-escalate.
- The crowd and internet then misidentified and attacked an innocent teacher, illustrating mob harms.
Resist Viral Shaming
- Avoid joining viral shaming mobs and seek humility about your own past lapses.
- Esau and Malcolm urge restraint: criticize proportionally and prefer local, measured responses.
