Brings to mind the way this word has been twisted lately. People create stigma (stain imposed from without) but call it shame (pain felt within). Something more than just linguistic drift is behind that conflation imo. Also, completely agree with your sentiment.
Since I've shilled for Strauss/Howe in the past, might as well keep on truckin. They posit a "social motivator" for each turning: High (1946-1963): shame Awakening (1964-1984): conscience Unraveling (1985-2006?): guilt Crisis (2007?-??): stigma
