On the Media: "Reputation" – December 31, 2021

Hosted by Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger, "On the Media" delves into the intricacies of media phenomena shaping today's societal narratives. In the "Reputation" episode, released on December 31, 2021, the hosts explore the contentious topic of cancel culture, its origins, implications, and the broader impact on free speech and societal discourse.

1. The Cancel Culture Debate

Brooke Gladstone introduces the episode by highlighting the polarized views on cancel culture, framing it as either a genuine epidemic or an overblown societal gripe:

• [00:00] "An epidemic of cancel culture. Or maybe an epidemic of whining about cancel culture. Depends on who you ask."

Michael Hobbs raises questions about the actual impact on free speech:

• [00:09] "What are the statistics indicating that speech is less free now than it used to be? We're in like a free speech Xanadu."

2. Origins of Cancel Culture

Gladstone traces the term "cancel culture" back to Black Twitter, emphasizing its initial use as a means to express disdain for public figures:

• [00:16] "Tracing the origins of the term cancel culture, as frequently happens, leads back to black Twitter."

Clyde McGrady elaborates on its original, less severe connotation:

• [00:22] "It was mostly used to express disgust or or disdain for some celebrity who did something that you didn't like. And you're like, eh, I'm done with this person. I don't deal with them. They're canceled."

3. Cancel Culture vs. Political Correctness

The discussion shifts to the relationship between cancel culture and its predecessor, political correctness.

Michael Hobbs provides historical context, noting that the term has evolved from being a critique within left-wing movements to a broader societal concern:

• [03:40] "The first reference that I could find to it was actually in China under Mao... it was a way within left wing movement organizing of saying, ugh, you're trying to impose the standard of purity."

He contrasts this with Rush Limbaugh’s appropriation of the term in the late '80s:

• [04:01] "Rush Limbaugh did something in the late 80s that was actually very innovative. He started doing segments on his show that were basically the dumb liberal of the week."

Max Tawney humorously illustrates the exaggerated fears stemming from political correctness:

• [04:35] "I'm thinking about this, I see we're going to have pregnant cheerleaders. You're going to have the football team break the huddle and the cheerleaders break water."

Hobbs criticizes the reliance on anecdotes over statistics, arguing that it fuels moral panic:

• [05:03] "The tropes of political correctness have come back in word for word, exactly the same form... it's the same moral panic."

4. Analyzing the "Canceled People Database"

To assess the legitimacy of cancel culture claims, Hobbs examines the "Canceled People Database," highlighting the diversity and often exaggerated nature of listed cases:

• [05:56] "It's basically a crowdsourced effort to identify every single case of people who have been, quote, unquote, canceled."

He points out numerous inaccuracies and the conflation of unrelated incidents:

• [06:45] "You find that mostly these stories aren't even true."
• [08:16] "There was actually more Shakespeare's taught more than any American author... they’re no longer going to require that."

Hobbs argues that genuine threats to free speech are often overshadowed by inflated cancel culture narratives:

• [09:01] "In journalism, it's not necessarily a matter of whether or not they are true. It's a matter of whether or not they matter."

5. Personal Experiences with Cancel Culture

Max Tawney, an associate professor, shares his firsthand experience with cancel culture, illustrating its impact on academia and personal reputation.

He recounts a controversy that arose from his critique of a keynote address, leading to widespread backlash:

• [18:57] "I've been accused of trying to placate white people. I'm trying to have black students be as empowered as possible..."
• [20:14] "I wouldn't have done this if I didn't think I was talking to mature academics... I was talking to middle school mean girls."

Gladstone and Tawney discuss the disproportionate focus on high-profile cases versus the negligible impact on average individuals:

• [11:46] "The Central park dog walker who threatened a birdwatcher with the police. That's Amy Cooper. And Rachel Dalazal."
• [12:03] "There's a limit to how many of those kinds of cases can happen per year."

Tawney emphasizes that real threats to workers often stem from economic factors rather than social media controversies:

• [12:33] "For most workers, it's not that their social media posts are going to be seen by their boss... it's going to be that they are laid off because there's a giant pandemic."

6. Legislative Impacts and Moral Panic

Hobbs draws parallels between past and present moral panics, arguing that societal fears often lead to restrictive laws:

• [14:07] "The political correctness panic of the 1990s produced a nationwide systematic wave of Republicans defunding higher education."
• [15:03] "With this cancel culture stuff, we're seeing state legislatures going after the 1619 project... trying to ban whatever critical race theory is in schools."

He warns that exaggerated fears about cancel culture can lead to real-world legislative actions that restrict free speech:

• [15:48] "Panics get whipped up over anecdote after anecdote after anecdote and then real systemic attempts to do exactly the thing that the moral panic is about. Free speech."

7. Cultural Appropriation of Cancel Culture Terminology

Clyde McGrady explores the roots of the term within Black culture and its subsequent appropriation by the mainstream, often in derogatory contexts:

• [26:36] "Politically correct had a similar trajectory... Maybe, you know, there'll be a show called Cancel Culture... as long as it is politically useful to do so."

He provides historical examples of how Black slang has been adopted and transformed by broader society:

• [32:13] "Which is an ironic twist because usually black slang is appropriated for its proximity to cool."

McGrady asserts that the term "cancel culture" retains its relevance as long as it serves a political purpose:

• [33:50] "I mean, who knows? We may still be saying cancel culture as long as it is politically useful to do so."

8. Distinguishing Between Call-Out and Cancel Culture

McGrady uses Justin Timberlake as an example to differentiate between mere criticism and full-fledged cancellation:

• [30:44] "Justin Timberlake... people weren't saying, time to boycott Justin Timberlake... They just announced, I am done with this dude."

He argues that most instances labeled as cancel culture are simply personal rejections rather than coordinated campaigns to damage reputations:

• [31:36] "They weren't calling his record label saying, you know, you should drop Justin Timberlake... He's still doing fine, still releasing music."

9. The Future of Cancel Culture Terminology

McGrady reflects on the potential longevity of "cancel culture" in the American lexicon, likening it to past terms like "politically correct":

• [33:46] "Maybe there'll be a show called Cancel Culture, but it's about 50 years later and we're still saying politically correct, so who knows how long?"

10. Conclusion: The Nuances of Reputation in the Digital Age

Throughout the episode, "Reputation" meticulously dissects the multifaceted phenomenon of cancel culture, arguing that while certain high-profile cases like Harvey Weinstein represent genuine consequences for misconduct, the broader narrative often exaggerates its prevalence and impact. The hosts and guests underscore the importance of distinguishing between personal accountability and societal moral panics, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of reputation in the digital era.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Hobbs on the misuse of "cancel culture":

  • [10:06] "But you're not saying that every invocation of cancel culture is misapplied, are you?"
  • [10:13] "I don't know of a single case of a quote unquote cancellation where that word adds rather than subtracts to the meaning."

• Max Tawney on academic discourse:

  • [22:53] "The lack of academic discourse. We can't ask questions anymore. It's called trolling."

• Clyde McGrady on the origins:

  • [26:36] "Politically correct had a similar trajectory... Maybe, you know, there'll be a show called Cancel Culture, but it's about 50 years later..."

This summary encapsulates the critical examination of cancel culture presented in the "Reputation" episode of "On the Media." By weaving together historical context, personal anecdotes, and cultural analysis, the podcast offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of how reputation is managed and manipulated in contemporary society.