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

Dr. Eleanor Vance · 2026-10-11

Have you ever stopped to think about how much shame is floating around online? It's everywhere—call-out posts, viral humiliation, and that sinking feeling when you see someone get torn apart in the comments. But here's the uncomfortable question: are social media platforms and big corporations actually making money off our collective shame? That's exactly what Jack Russell Weinstein and Cathy O'Neil dig into on the podcast *Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life*. ### The Shame Economy: A Modern Gold Rush We're living in what you might call a "shame economy." Every time someone gets publicly humiliated, it drives clicks, shares, and engagement. And engagement is the currency of the internet. Social media companies don't just host these moments—they profit from them. The more outrage, the more time we spend scrolling, and the more ads we see. It's a cycle that feeds on our worst instincts. But it's not just about viral posts. Corporations have gotten really good at tapping into our insecurities. Think about it: ads that tell you you're not good enough, not thin enough, not successful enough. They create a problem, then sell you the solution. It's manipulation, plain and simple. Cathy O'Neil, a mathematician and author of *Weapons of Math Destruction*, points out that this isn't accidental. It's by design. Algorithms are built to maximize engagement, and nothing engages quite like shame—whether it's the fear of being shamed or the thrill of shaming others. ### The Ethics of Exploiting Insecurity So, is it immoral? That's the million-dollar question. On one hand, you could argue that people choose to participate in social media. But when platforms are engineered to exploit psychological vulnerabilities, choice becomes a bit of an illusion. We're not just users; we're products. Our attention is sold to advertisers, and our insecurities are the bait. > "The attention economy is not just about wasting time; it's about monetizing our deepest fears and insecurities." – Cathy O'Neil That quote hits hard because it's true. Every time we like, share, or comment, we're feeding a machine that profits from our emotional reactions. And the worst part? We often don't even realize it's happening. ### What Can We Do About It? Awareness is the first step. Understanding that these platforms are designed to keep us hooked can help us break the cycle. Here are a few practical ways to push back: - **Curate your feed**: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself. Follow ones that uplift and inform. - **Take breaks**: Regular digital detoxes can reset your relationship with social media. - **Think before you share**: Ask yourself if you're contributing to a culture of shame or helping to build a more compassionate online space. - **Support ethical platforms**: Seek out social media alternatives that prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics. It's also worth having conversations like the one on *Why?*—because the more we talk about these issues, the more we can demand change. After all, the world doesn't have to profit from shame. We can choose to build a different kind of economy, one based on respect and empathy. ### The Bottom Line The next time you see a viral shaming post or an ad that makes you feel less-than, remember: you're not just a bystander. You're part of a system that profits from your emotions. But you also have the power to opt out, to demand better, and to create a culture that values people over profits. It's not easy, but it's worth it.