Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps "Public Shaming" with Clare Stephens
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Oct 30, 2025 Clare Stephens, a journalist and author known for her work on public shaming, dives into the chaos of online culture. She discusses how short clips trigger massive backlash and the role of attention-seeking behavior in digital pile-ons. Clare highlights the different experiences of women in media and addresses the gendered double standards faced by women-led platforms. She also reflects on the emotional toll of public criticism and the complexities of representing diverse voices in storytelling. Clare’s insights are both thought-provoking and revealing about cancel culture.
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Context Gets Erased In Viral Clips
- Public shaming often reduces a person's work to a single offending line or clip, ignoring broader context and nuance.
- Clare Stephens notes this selective framing fuels disproportionate backlash and misrepresents intent.
Called Out For Interviewing Tim Minchin
- Clare Stephens describes being criticised for not challenging Tim Minchin in an interview about violent threats on women.
- She defends interviewers' roles as conversational rather than debate-ready and says hindsight often reveals different responses.
Many Online Threats Seek Attention
- Online threats often aim to provoke attention rather than signal imminent physical danger, according to Stephens' experience.
- She distinguishes between real-world violence and performative online intimidation tactics.
