Paul GrahamVerified account

There is an easier way to gain status and strengthen social bonds within a group. Broadcast the bad behavior of others. People are more likely to join in this activity

It is more fun for group members. Canceling people offers status, social solidarity, and fun distraction at little cost

Attempting to move up and failing can be hard to accept. But trying to bring others down and failing is not as unpleasant. It provides opportunities to identify other adversaries. What or who is preventing you from bringing your target down? People can unite around that question

If you’re a 6 on the social ladder, working up to a 7 is hard. But scheming to bring a 7 down to a 5 is easier. And more thrilling. It is much easier to unite people to bring a 7 down to a 5 than to lift themselves up from a 6 to a 7

Uniting to bring someone down has another benefit: a filter mechanism to identify committed group members

Broadcasting bad behavior of others forces people to respond. Those who agree the person should be canceled can be counted on. They're loyal

But those who ask for evidence, or debate the behavior, or question the propriety of cancel culture They have revealed themselves to be uncommitted

Cancel culture is not going away The social rewards for taking someone down are too immediate and gratifying