Academic Work
Reconstruction Web Quest:
Freshman Reflection Writing Assignment/Final Writing Assessment
English Deforestation Video
The Picture of Dorian Gray Writing Assignment
Research Paper – Cancel Culture
Cornelius Shea
Amber Roderick
English 11 Honors
10 May, 2024
Why Cancel Culture Is Not Healthy
In a world where social media amplifies every voice, and every mistake, cancel culture has emerged like a double edged sword. Cancel culture is the practice of holding people accountable for their actions on the internet by calling them out and publicly shaming them. The idea of cancel culture has been around for a long time, the term was first coined in the early 2010s but made a huge surge in popularity around 2020. While the intention of cancel culture is to hold people accountable for their actions, it can also negatively impact someone’s mental state as well as their personal life, it also discourages critical thinking skills in fear of being ostracized, which leads to cognitive dissonance.
One of the primary concerns surrounding cancel culture is its adverse effects on the mental health of those targeted. Being subjected to public shaming and online harassment can have devastating effects on individuals’ self-esteem, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Research suggests that cyberbullying and online harassment are strongly associated with adverse mental health outcomes, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. As highlighted in a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), individuals subjected to public shaming and online harassment experience heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. The constant barrage of negative comments and threats can make existing mental health issues and even lead to suicidal ideation in extreme cases. Also, the permanence of digital footprints means that the repercussions of being “canceled” can haunt individuals indefinitely, continuing a cycle of psychological distress.
Furthermore, the perpetual fear of being “canceled” can create a toxic environment where individuals are constantly on edge, afraid to express themselves authentically for fear of backlash. This culture of fear and anxiety not only stifles creativity and innovation but also perpetuates a cycle of negativity and distrust within online communities. As such, cancel culture contributes to a broader climate of toxicity and intolerance that undermines the well-being of individuals.
Beyond mental health implications, cancel culture often results in severe repercussions in the personal and professional lives of its targets. “In canceling, there is very little control over how severely a person is punished in relation to the severity of their offense. The imbalance between a person’s infringement and the punishment can be seen in the case of JK Rowling, a renowned writer who has vocalized her admiration for people with non-conforming orientations. However, she recently shared her outlook on gender and sex, and this has led many to label her as a transphobe. In her statement, Rowling spoke on her own behalf and, relying on her experience, gave arguments for her position. This relatively benign approach did not save Rowling from public harassment not unlike that received by violent criminals, sex offenders, and others who are clearly much more reprehensible.” Basic beliefs that not only do not directly affect many people but also have an argument behind it are often seen as just as bad as a convicted felon. A case study conducted by the University of Central Florida (UCF) sheds light on the real-world consequences faced by individuals who have been canceled. From loss of employment opportunities to social ostracization, the fallout can be devastating. Even after issuing apologies or attempts at redemption, individuals may find themselves permanently branded by their past mistakes, hindering their ability to move forward in life.
Moreover, the indefinite stain of online shame means that individuals may struggle to move on from past mistakes, as they are continually reminded of their lack of good judgment by their digital footprint. “Yes, the Internet never forgets. And so when someone slips up and says or does something unacceptable—even if it’s harmless—they risk being canceled instantly in today’s hypersensitive world. The more famous the person who committed the offense is, the longer they will be remembered. In this case, a possible course of action is to completely leave all the “spotlight” and sit out for some time in an information vacuum. However, it is not guaranteed that after returning from “silence mode,” users will not remember the person’s past sins.(Sus, Viktoriya)” This lack of forgiveness and redemption perpetuates a culture of unforgivingness and intolerance that undermines the principles of growth and personal development. Instead of promoting accountability and rehabilitation, cancel culture often serves as a wall or barrier to individuals’ ability to learn from their mistakes. An article by the New York Post stated, “In 2022, Dr. Carole Hooven went on Fox News to talk about her book “Testosterone,” making the argument that we should be compassionate and respectful to trans people while still recognizing that biological sex is real. She was targeted by Harvard administrators and eventually left the university.(NYPost)” This is showing that regardless of what is said, people also pick and choose what they want to hear or see when someone says something.
Cancel culture fosters an environment of fear and conformity, discouraging individuals from engaging in critical thinking and open conversation. “In instances where someone has done something particularly egregious, perhaps committing a serious crime such as sexual assault, the case to cancel may seem clear-cut. But in other instances where certain behaviors may be more questionable than seriously problematic, deeper thinking, which requires time and effort, about the person and issues is required but rarely happens. ‘The instant nature of social media means that very large, complicated social issues get condensed into one sentence, one minute for TikTok [videos] or just a photo on Instagram,’ Koontz says. ‘Everything is becoming very succinct, and it both discourages nuanced discussion and encourages all-or-nothing stances. Cancel culture is ‘You’re all good, or you’re all bad,’ and human nature is much more complicated than that.’(Dudenhoefer, Nicole)” The lack of proper thinking about what the person did and what the punishment should be because of the short form content and low attention span people have on the internet results in punishments not always fit for the “crime.” As explained in an article from Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, the fear of being targeted leads to self-censorship and the suppression of differing opinions. In such an atmosphere, genuine dialogue and constructive criticism are stifled. The pressure to conform to prevailing norms, lest one face public condemnation, undermines the principles of intellectual diversity and free expression essential for a healthy democratic society. In an environment where conformity is rewarded and differentiating yourself is punished, individuals may feel pressured to conform to the norms and opinions, even if they conflict with their own beliefs or values. This fear of being canceled can lead to self-censorship, people hold back on their differing opinions and end up leading to less meaningful conversations.
Cancel culture, though often criticized for its perceived toxicity, can be viewed as a necessary mechanism for accountability. In a world where powerful figures and institutions have historically gone unchecked, cancel culture provides a platform for people to speak up against injustice. By holding individuals accountable for their actions, whether they are celebrities, politicians, or any other normal person, cancel culture is a culture of accountability. Furthermore, the threat of being canceled encourages people to educate themselves and become more aware of the impact of their words and actions on others, ultimately leading to a more empathetic and inclusive society. As suggested by Carreón et al. (2020), cancel culture serves as a form of social control that empowers individuals to confront harmful behavior and demand accountability from those in positions of power.
Moreover, cancel culture can be seen as an expression of free speech and collective action. In democratic societies, individuals have the right to voice their opinions and hold others accountable for their behavior. Cancel culture serves as a tool for people to exercise this right collectively, particularly in cases where traditional systems of justice have failed to address systemic issues such as racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. While it is important to ensure that cancel culture does not devolve into mob mentality or unjust persecution, its existence reflects the power of individuals to demand accountability and advocate for positive change in their communities and beyond (Carreón et al., 2020).
In conclusion, although cancel culture can show accountability and educate people, it represents itself as unhealthy and has significant negative impacts on individuals’ mental health, personal lives, and critical thinking skills. While apparently aimed at promoting accountability and social justice, cancel culture often devolves into a cycle of online harassment, public shaming, and moral outrage that does more harm than good. It is important to critically examine the consequences of cancel culture and work towards fostering a more compassionate, empathetic, and intellectually rigorous online culture. By promoting forgiveness, understanding, and open conversation, we can strive to create healthier and more inclusive environments where individuals are empowered to learn, grow, and thrive.
Written Citations
(Nicole Dudenhoefer ’17), “Is Cancel Culture Effective?”, Accessed On April 20, 2024, “Is
(Solon, Olivia), “The Wolf That Cried Cancel Culture”, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at
Santa Clara University, Accessed on 20 April, 2024, Written 16 September 2021 “The Wolf That Cried Cancel Culture”
(Boddy, Clive R.), National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, “The Wolf That Cried Cancel Culture”, Accessed on 20 April, 2024, Written 2019, “The Wolf That Cried Cancel Culture”
(Brad Brenner), “The Psychology of Cancel Culture: Impacts on Mental Health.”, Therapy
Group of DC, Accessed On 20 April, 2024, Written 2 January, 2024, “The Psychology of Cancel Culture: Impacts on Mental Health.”
(Carlow), “How Counselors Are Dealing with the Impact of Cancel Culture on Mental Health”,
Carlow University, Accessed on 20 April, 20204, Written 8 December, 2022, “How Counselors Are Dealing With The Impact of Cancel Culture on Mental Health”
(Lyons, Alesandra Dublin, Heather Z.), “Why Cancel Culture Is So Toxic and How to
Effectively Hold Folks Accountable, according to Social Media Experts”, Business Insider, Accessed on 20 April 2024, Written 28 October 2022, “Why Cancel Culture Is So Toxic and How to Effectively Hold Folks Accountable, according to Social Media Experts”
(Sus, Victoria), “Is Cancel Culture Toxic? Pros & Cons”, The Collector, Accessed On 20 April
2024, Written 15 August 2023, “Is Cancel Culture Toxic? Pros & Cons”
(Collinsworth, Braden), “Why We Need to Cancel Cancel Culture”, Medium, Accessed On 20
April 2024, Written 15 February 2023, “Why We Need to Cancel Cancel Culture”
(Dubenhoefer, Nicole), “Is Cancel Culture Effective?”, Pegasus Magazine, University of Central
Florida, Accessed on 20 April 2024, Written on 20 September 2020, “Is Cancel Culture Effective?”
(Lukianoff, Greg), “How Cancel Culture Not Only Silences – but Also Kills.”, New York Post,
Accessed On 21 April 2024, Written 14 October 2023, nypost.com/2023/10/14/how-cancel-culture-kills/
What if the Axis Powers Won WWII Writing Assignment
What would the world be like if the Axis Powers won World War II? Well it surely would not be better than the world right now. Most of the world would be under totalitarian or fascist rule, places like Japan would keep their own government, rather than being occupied by the United States, and so much more.
We’ll start off with Germany. First of all, they would have power over most of Europe, also sharing their space with Italy and other countries, although most other countries would most likely not have nearly as much or any territory. Germany would most likely still be under totalitarian control, but there is always the possibility that could change. Hitler would have had a massive influence over the world and many cultures and religions would be nearly extinct, as long as they did not fit into the Aryan race.
Italy would be much larger. After having sided with Germany and the other Axis Powers they would have gained much land. Mussolini would have spread his fascist beliefs all over Europe, influencing many still-standing countries. The country would have grown to incredible heights, and who knows, maybe they would be feeding their people a strict diet of pizza and pasta.
Japan would not be anything like it is today. It would have its own government, as the United States would have never been able to occupy it with their government. Japan today is a very technologically driven country. Most of their work is from making technology, this is mostly because of how small and mountainous it is and how little agricultural space they have. This would be completely different had the Axis Powers won, as Japan would have most definitely grown their government to new, and with Tojo’s rule, more brutal heights, getting more land from the war, and also conquering more land. There is the possibility that if they were to go to war with China, they could lose everything, but if they were to get help from other countries, then probably not.
The United States and Russia would be no more. Both countries, if still standing, would have been shrunken down to incredibly small areas. Most of the United States would be divided up by the Axis Powers and so would Russia. Stalin would definitely be dead as he would have never gone down without a fight, and Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston Churchill would most definitely have been executed along with many other people in high government positions.. Britain and other Allied Powers would probably either be extremely small, after losing all their land due to the war, or non-existent.
In all, the world would be a terrible place. We would have horrible rulers, we would not be free, and so many more people would have died. I believe that although a lot of this could have happened, most people would not stand up for this kind of stuff, and there would have been revolutions, protests, and other things in many countries, potentially being successful and making a change.
Dystopian Story:
A True Story
