S1E47: Online shaming, public blow-ups: Can we talk civilly without labels or rage?

May 15, 2025

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When it comes to hard conversations, are we quick to shame, label others or lash out?

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

In this episode, we explore why it’s so hard to unpack difficult topics without getting angry, rude, or shutting down.

Whether it’s inconsiderate commuters, vaccine debates, or matters about race, we now have to navigate more difficult conversations. And more people seem on edge – both online and offline.

So how can we have a discussion about issues that matter without blowing up or checking out?

Natasha sits down with Ms Audrey Low, founder of leadership consultancy Designing Trust, and Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin, cultural change strategist and founder of Common Ground Civic Centre and Consultancy, to unpack Singaporeans’ seemingly short fuses, public shaming and mob justice, and explore how we can respond more constructively.

They also talk about why labelling people as “woke” or “social justice warriors” can shut down discussions even before they start.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:14 Are Singaporeans an angry bunch?

6:50 The psyche of trolls and why people drop rude comments

10:09 What do cavalier, unkind comments say those who post them?

18:33 Why discussions about racial issues get heated?

24:50 Using labels like “woke” and “social justice warrior” can shut down conversations

37:38 How to be open to perspectives that they don’t agree with

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN