Post 1,333: The Power of Shame

I think shame is useful, and that we use it every day. We put a big sign that says this street is one way, so the person who goes the wrong way knows they are doing something they should not be. Now, if there is absolutely no one around, then it is not really shameful, because I am not inconveniencing anyone. If there is just one person there though, the shame stops me from doing the wrong thing.

This is just one example; however, we use this tactic all the time. Getting that teenager to take a dang shower, pushing a teammate to go faster, simply just getting up and going to work every day. I would say these can be very good uses of shame.

Take it by the instance though. Shaming someone who is sick and can’t make it to work every day is probably a bad use. Telling that teenager they are ugly if they don’t conform to my beauty standards is being selfish. Pushing someone who is doing it for fun to do it so I can win is thinking myopically.

It always depends on the circumstances. There are absolutely situations where shame is helpful.

~Ryan Lynch

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