The Hidden Cost of Public Shame: Who's Really Profiting?

Dr. Eleanor Vance · 2026-10-11

Have you ever scrolled through your feed and felt that knot in your stomach? You know the one—when you see someone being torn apart online. Or maybe you've been that person. The one everyone's pointing at. It's a strange thing, isn't it? We've built this massive digital world that connects us, but it also seems to thrive on our worst moments. Public shame has become a kind of currency. And let's be honest, there are people making a lot of money from it. I recently came across a conversation that stopped me in my tracks. Jack Russell Weinstein, host of *Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life*, sat down with Cathy O'Neil to talk about this very thing. They dug into online humiliation, consumer manipulation, and the ethics of exploiting human insecurities. It's the kind of discussion that makes you want to put your phone down and just think for a minute. ### The Business of Humiliation Here's the uncomfortable truth: shame sells. Social media platforms are designed to keep us engaged, and nothing engages quite like a good old-fashioned pile-on. Every like, share, and comment on a shaming post is a tiny vote for more of the same. The algorithms don't care about context or nuance. They just know that outrage gets clicks. But it's not just social media. Corporations have gotten really good at making us feel bad about ourselves. Think about it: you're not just buying a product; you're buying the promise of being better, thinner, smarter, more successful. The entire advertising industry is built on a foundation of "you're not good enough yet." And that's a tough pill to swallow. ### The Ethics of Exploitation So, is it immoral? That's the question Weinstein and O'Neil wrestle with. On one hand, you could argue that we're all consenting adults. We choose to use these platforms. We choose to buy those products. But is it really a choice when the game is rigged? O'Neil, who's written extensively about the dangers of big data and algorithmic bias, points out that these systems are designed to exploit our psychological vulnerabilities. They know exactly what buttons to push because they've studied us. They've turned our insecurities into a science. And here's the kicker: the people profiting from this system are rarely the ones being shamed. The executives at social media companies aren't the ones getting dragged on Twitter. The CEOs of beauty brands aren't the ones feeling ugly. There's a massive power imbalance, and it's being monetized. ### What Can We Do About It? Now, I'm not suggesting we all delete our accounts and move to a cabin in the woods. That's not realistic. But we can start by being more aware. Every time we engage with a shaming post, we're feeding the beast. Every time we buy into the idea that we need to be fixed, we're lining someone else's pockets. Maybe the first step is just to notice. Notice when you're being manipulated. Notice when you're about to pile on. Notice when you're feeling bad about yourself because an ad told you to. As Weinstein and O'Neil suggest, philosophy isn't just for academics. It's for everyday life. It's for those moments when you're scrolling at 2 a.m. and wondering why you feel so terrible. The answer might just be that someone designed it that way. So, the next time you see a public shaming unfold, ask yourself: who's really profiting here? The answer might surprise you. And maybe, just maybe, that awareness is the first step toward something better.