The Miscalibration of Shame

Has society become hopelessly shameless? Or utterly shamed?

There’s too much shame where there shouldn’t be—around things that signal growth or discernment (like sobriety, being a ‘beginner,’ or having a normal body). Meanwhile, there’s not enough shame where there should be—around the things that quietly erode trust and social fabric (AI abuse, flaunting luxury next to suffering, casual dishonesty in dating profiles). 

Perhaps the world could do with a little more shame. But what does that really look like in practice? How do we retool our personal and professional relationships with shame? Who should have the power to decide what is and isn’t worthy of shame? How do we balance permission and prohibition?  And when it comes to brands, do they have an ethical obligation to help us recalibrate shame? Can they? Where do they fit in, especially in today’s tumultuous business and cultural climates?