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

Dr. Eleanor Vance · 2026-10-11

Have you ever scrolled through your social media feed and felt a knot in your stomach? Maybe you saw someone being publicly humiliated for a mistake, or perhaps you've been on the receiving end of online shaming. It's a gut-wrenching feeling, and it's becoming all too common. But have you ever stopped to think about who might be profiting from all this shame? That's the question at the heart of a fascinating discussion between host Jack Russell Weinstein and data scientist Cathy O'Neil on the podcast *Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life*. ### The Business of Humiliation Social media platforms and corporations have turned public shame into a lucrative business. Every time someone gets dragged online, engagement skyrockets. More clicks, more comments, more shares—all of which translate into ad revenue. It's a vicious cycle: the more outrageous the shame, the more eyes it attracts, and the more money flows in. But it's not just about ad dollars. Companies also exploit our insecurities to sell products. Think about it: the beauty industry thrives on making you feel inadequate about your appearance. The self-improvement industry capitalizes on your fear of not being good enough. Even tech companies profit from our anxiety about staying connected. ### The Ethics of Exploitation Is it moral for businesses to profit from human insecurities? O'Neil argues that it's a form of manipulation. When companies deliberately stoke our fears and anxieties to sell us solutions, they're not just selling products—they're selling shame. And social media amplifies this. Algorithms are designed to show us content that triggers strong emotions, including shame. The more we engage with that content, the more we're served. It's a feedback loop that keeps us hooked and keeps the profits rolling in. ### What Can We Do? So, what's the solution? O'Neil suggests that we need to be more aware of how these systems work. We can start by questioning the motives behind the content we consume and the products we buy. Are we being manipulated? Are we participating in someone else's shame for entertainment? > "The first step is to recognize that shame is being weaponized for profit," O'Neil says. "Once we see it, we can choose not to play the game." We can also support platforms and companies that prioritize ethical practices. And we can demand better regulation of social media algorithms to prevent the amplification of harmful content. ### A Call for Empathy At the end of the day, behind every shamed individual is a human being with feelings. It's easy to forget that when we're behind a screen. But if we can cultivate empathy and think critically about the systems we're part of, we might just be able to break the cycle. So next time you see a public shaming unfold online, ask yourself: who's really profiting? And is it worth the cost to our collective humanity?