Is Cancel Culture a Form of Ethical Justice or Digital Mob Rule?

The debate over whether cancel culture represents ethical justice or digital mob rule is rooted in the evolution of public shaming and accountability practices throughout history. Public forms of social punishment have existed for centuries, from medieval stocks and public trials to boycotts and protests aimed at individuals or institutions. These methods served as tools for communities to enforce social norms and values. Cancel culture, a term popularized in the late 2010s, describes the phenomenon where individuals, often public figures, face widespread criticism, loss of reputation, or career consequences due to actions or statements deemed offensive, harmful, or unethical. Unlike historical methods, cancel culture operates primarily through digital platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, enabling rapid, large-scale reactions without formal legal processes.