Ep 35. Episode 59

In episode 59 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver season 2, the host tackles the issue of public shaming. He discusses how social media and the internet have made it easier for people to publicly shame others, often with little to no context or understanding of the situation. Oliver examines how public shaming can have serious consequences, both for the person being shamed and for society as a whole.

Oliver begins the show by highlighting some recent examples of public shaming, such as the case of Justine Sacco, a woman who tweeted a controversial joke before boarding a flight and was subsequently shamed on social media. He discusses how these types of incidents often result in people losing their jobs, being forced to leave their homes, or even facing physical harm.

Oliver then delves deeper into the topic, examining the history of public shaming and how it has been used throughout history to enforce social norms and punish individuals who break them. He discusses how public shaming was once a tool of the justice system but has since become a tool of the internet mob.

Oliver talks about the psychological effects of public shaming, including the trauma and long-lasting damage it can cause the person being shamed. He also emphasizes how public shaming can lead to a "cancellation culture," where individuals are immediately deemed worthless for one mistake and are shunned from society forever.

Oliver then explores the bigger picture of public shaming, discussing how it can be used as a tool of censorship and how it can ultimately chill free speech and open discourse. He highlights how cancel culture stifles intellectual curiosity and debate and reinforces echo chambers, leading to increased polarization and division.

Finally, Oliver offers some solutions to the issue of public shaming, including the importance of empathizing with others and engaging in productive discourse instead of immediately resorting to shaming and canceling. He stresses the importance of context and nuance and encourages viewers to think critically when engaging with controversial issues.

Overall, episode 59 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver season 2 is a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of the issue of public shaming. Oliver provides a balanced and insightful analysis of the topic, highlighting both its negative and positive aspects while offering practical solutions for moving forward.