The Gist

Jon Ronson, Imam of Shame

When the Internet gangs up to publicly shame an individual, what’s that really about?

What compels us to gang up on individuals online?

Mills Baker/Flickr

Listen to Episode 468 of Slate’s The Gist:

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On The Gist, we explore an abuse of power taking place on social media. Journalist Jon Ronson shares why he was compelled to tell the stories behind the public shaming of Jonah Lehrer and Justine Sacco. He’s the author of So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, now out in paperback. For the Spiel, meet Wisconsin’s Jimmy Boy.  

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