Questioner: In light of our topic, one thing that really comes to mind is the concept of cancel-culture.
I am just summarising what it really means. Individuals on the platforms of social media or digital platforms, in general, have a kind of justice system, where someone can be kicked out because of things that they said maybe ten or twenty years ago. Maybe he/she is a completely different person now; maybe there is something small that was found in their character or blemish. Certain cases of course are terrible. Certain people obviously need to be called out on such cases. But what are your thoughts on ‘cancel-culture’ today, where there is a sort of social media court and judiciary system that goes on?
Acharya Prashant: It always existed. It always existed at all levels. It's just that social media has amplified it.
When I hear of people being ‘cancelled’, the one thing I ask myself is, ‘Why do they worry about it?’ If you are being rightly called out, as you said, there are instances, when it's important that something or some person be exposed. Then they should take it rather as a blessing and feel grateful where their weaknesses or follies have been exposed that would allow them, help them to be better. And if they have been unduly subjected to non-sense, then again. They should be grateful that a community that they needlessly belong to, has rejected them.
This kind of ostracization is actually redemption—thank you for kicking me out! Thank you for cancelling me!
