Is mask-shaming effective?
+ New BLM mixtape & Zoom workshop this Sunday
Masks were widespread during the 1918-1919 influenza epidemic. They were also vehemently opposed. 50m people died around the world.
Earlier this week, I looked at differing viewpoints on the efficacy of shame during the pandemic. UPenn law and psychology professor, Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, believes social distance shaming is useless and potentially dangerous, while NYU associate professor, Jennifer Jacquet, has been advocating for the use of shame for years.
In the end, I agree with Jacquet when she writes, "Shame's service is to the group, and when it is used well and at the right time, it can make a society better off."
The “right time” seems impossible to find at this moment. But, as I conclude, we have to use the tools in our arsenal. Shame has long played a role in keeping individuals in check. Of course, it worked better in small settings where everyone was accountable for their actions. It’s too easy to hide behind an avatar today. In the public square, however, shame has proven to be a motivating force for change, as Jacquet details throughout her 2015 book.
The thing most on my mind: the opportunity we’re squandering. We have a real opportunity to discuss biology, medicine, and health care right now—to teach ourselves and our children about the complexities of science and nature, and our role in nature. Instead, we’re wasting valuable time and energy debating nonsensical ideas.
And so we revert so shame because the higher road is too steep to climb, which is a shame. There’s plenty of room for everyone to fit.
Shortly after I published the article, Jacquet tweeted back with a recent update on her thoughts on the topic. I highly recommend her follow-up on GEN.
I also had the chance to chat with R.P. Eddy, the co-author of Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes. The CEO of global intelligence firm, Ergo, Eddy previously served as Chief of Staff to Richard Holbrooke, Senior Adviser to Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson, and Senior Policy Officer to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He was an architect of the Global Fund to Prevent AIDS, TB, and Malaria. He's lived, breathed, and studied pandemics for decades. He is the man that, if we had a functional government, would be helping lead us through this mess right now.
It was inevitable that we talked about conspiracy theories. Eddy has been working on pandemics at the highest levels of government for decades. When I ask about current theories floating around, his reply is eye-opening.
"Conspiracies are all based in some healthy place. These people are probably concerned about government surveillance and personal freedom. They believe every aspect of the Edward Snowden story; they believe this microchipping story is the next step. They're not wrong that we should watch and be aware, but they're wrong in thinking that we're falling for it right now."
Speaking of conspiracy theories, I recently launched a new podcast, Conspirituality, with Matthew Remski and Julian Walker. Every Thursday we discuss the intersection between right-wing conspiracy theories and left-wing wellness utopianism. In today’s episode, we do a deep dive into the QAnon-fueled videos and posts by Dr. Christiane Northrup, which have gone a bit off the rails lately.
Every Monday, I write a subscriber-only email discussing mental and physical health, new scientific studies, optimization tips, and more. Please consider subscribing.
My latest mixtape is dedicated to artists with something to say.
Finding Balance : Zoom Workshop
Sunday, July 12 | 10-11:30 am PST | $15 | Free to Substack subscribers
This month’s Zoom workshop will focus on balancing postures: leg and arm balancing as well as mind balancing once the flow is over. Paying Substack subscribers get access to my monthly Zoom workshops (as well as the archives), as well as my weekly Monday morning newsletter, EarthRise Wellness.
