Complex Dynamics of Cancel Culture in the Media

Humans lose judgment and make bad decisions. Whether it was a live post or a past incident that resurfaced years later, an offensive photo or video that gets posted on social media, which can lead to mean comments, rejection, embarrassment, and perhaps even a loss of job, friends, and membership in society. While some situations might be easily forgivable, others could instantly cancel a person, brand, or business. The purpose of this chapter is to untangle the dynamic and complex construct of Cancel Culture, explore how to get canceled, clarify getting canceled versus being held accountable, identify the roles (Target, Instigator, Trolls, and Bystander) in a cancel situation, describe strategies for preventing and moving on from Cancel Culture, as well as examine the future of Cancel Culture.