Book Review: "So You've Been Publicly Shamed" by Jon Ronson

For starters, I’ve got to say how many times I’ve recommended Ron Johnson’s book So You've Been Publicly Shamed¹ only to remember later that his name is Jon Ronson. (Sorry, Jon)

I have not been the victim of a “jump on the bandwagon” public shaming (yet… and never, I hope). We are now all familiar with the unsavory nature of cancel culture and mindless censorship. The public whipping that some have incurred, whether unjustly or justly, has sobered us all and led to a more tentative, fearful posture for us all.

Ronson’s book is a truly unsettling but deeply interesting collection of stories. He tracks down, interviews and recounts the public shaming experiences of some really ordinary people who found themselves the target of venomous social media mobs.

The book is an easy read, and the stories keep you engaged in a “can’t look away” kind of way. I wish Ronson had toned down his language in places. His regular profanity doesn’t add to the book’s importance at all.

Here are a few notable quotes: