“Outrage culture” has permeated the digital age. This refers to our collective tendency to react often strongly negatively to developments in our surroundings.
This anger is usually directed against a perceived violation. When Taylor Swift won her Album of the Year award at the Grammy Awards, the internet was immediately furious with her, apparently unhappy that she didn’t acknowledge Celine Dion, who presented her with the award. is.
It doesn’t matter whether Swift’s actions are considered rude or not. Importantly, the backlash was probably not proportionate to the crime. So this so-called “snub” incident is a perfect example of how quickly and easily people can jump on the online hate train.
Modern anger culture, also known as callout culture and tied to cancel culture, often spirals into a toxic spiral. People hungry for influence compete to make the meanest, most over-the-top comments, stifle open dialogue, and demonize those who make mistakes.
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A story as old as time
Collective anger is not a new phenomenon and is not necessarily a bad thing. Humans have adapted to be highly sensitive to the threat of social exclusion. Being criticized hurts our feelings, which motivates us to change. We learn what this feels like for us and learn how to use it to influence others.
In pre-digital societies, expressing anger to shame someone as a group served an important social function. It reinforced group norms, deterred potential rule breakers, and fostered a sense of order and responsibility within the community.
Expressing anger can also challenge norms in ways that bring about positive change in society. The women’s liberation movement of the late 19th century is a case in point.
Technological innovations in the internet, smartphones, and social media now enable collective uprisings on a global scale. As seen with the #MeToo movement, multiple societies can be affected simultaneously.
When anger swirls
We’ve all seen it play out. Basically, when someone says or does something “controversial,” a few posts draw attention to it and a whirlwind of comments appears, echoing the person in question over and over again. is. bad.
The Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation case is an example of how speech has become harmful, which is difficult to deny, regardless of how you feel about the case.
The collective moral outrage that drives this downward spiral is similar to that of those who brandished pitchforks during the Salem Witch Trials in the 1690s. Sharing similar beliefs helps people feel part of a group.
Furthermore, beliefs expressed in the comments and actions of others on an issue can affect our own emotions, a phenomenon known as “emotional contagion.” As our own emotions run high and our beliefs strengthen, we may be forced to join the chorus of negative arguments.
The overall tone and style of language used by others can also influence how we act and feel. Social modeling shows that if a lot of other people are piling up negative comments, it can make us think it’s okay to do it too.
And the more we are exposed to one-sided discourse, the more likely we are to resist alternative viewpoints. This is called “group think.”
Additionally, social media algorithms are typically set to show us more of what we’ve previously clicked on, making the online experience even more one-dimensional.
Scholars suggest that algorithms can prioritize certain posts in ways that shape the overall nature of comments, adding fuel to the inherently negative fire.
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Two aspects of speaking out
Unlike Salem in the late 1690s, today’s culture of outrage has multiplied in intensity and scale due to changing cultural norms around “speaking up.” The culture of speaking up, combined with the anonymity and global influence afforded by the Internet, is likely to encourage the kind of speech seen online.
For example, over the past 20 years, there has been increased societal awareness that speaking out against bullying is a good thing. This may be related to increased education about bullying in schools. There is also a growing trend to encourage a culture of voice in the workplace. It’s no surprise, then, that many people report feeling confident expressing their opinions online.
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It’s also easier to express negative opinions because you can remain anonymous online. We never directly witness the psychological torment inflicted on the target. You also don’t have to worry about the potential threat to your personal safety that comes with saying the same awful things to someone’s face. Taylor Swift herself sums it up in You Need to Calm Down:
If you say that on the street, it’s a knockout. But as I said in my tweet, it’s a police crackdown.
How can we fight negative emotions?
To overcome the pitfalls of an inhumane culture, we must adopt a more thoughtful approach before engaging in public condemnation. Also consider that a culture of anger runs counter to the moral ideals that most of us admire:
- everyone makes mistakes
- People are worth more than their worst actions.
- People have the potential to grow and change and are entitled to a second chance.
- It’s okay to have a different opinion than others
- Punishment should be commensurate with the crime.
Research shows that positive comments can have a productive counter-effect on a negative spiral. So if you witness a problem getting out of hand online, it’s worth speaking up. Before you click the send button, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you really believe what you are about to say or are you just going along with the group?
- What effect might this comment have on the recipient? Is it still okay?
- Would you communicate like this if you were face-to-face?
By encouraging reflection, empathy, and open dialogue, we can avoid a culture of toxic anger and instead use collective anger as a force for positive change.
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