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TWENTY-SIX

RED HERRINGS

What Does Red Herring Mean?

Red her·ring - something, especially a clue, that is or is intended to be misleading or distracting. A red herring is something used as a distraction to have you aim your gaze with the objective of missing what is actually going on. It is to draw attention to the issue yet distract what is actually happening. It is a believable distraction meant to mislead. In the case of celebrities, their “bad behavior” (but really what they have NOW deemed “bad behavior”) is the distraction the group shaming points at. Yes, this is called group shaming – and it is adult bullying. The media is literally encouraging you to be an adult bully. Have you thought about that? You’re being trained to bully all while teaching your kids not to bully. They are turning everyone into bullies not by default but to enrage groups and keep them passionate and angry towards one thing while diverting your attention from the actual issues at hand.

This trend of using red herrings in public discourse has a more insidious effect: it subtly trains individuals to engage in bullying behaviors, particularly in the realm of cancel culture. When the media sensationalizes certain actions or words of public figures, it often invites mass criticism and shaming, a form of collective bullying. This phenomenon is particularly rampant on social media, where people can attack and “cancel” others from behind the safety of their screens. The problem with this behavior is that it lacks a context of overstanding and often disregards the nuances of situations. Instead of fostering a culture of open dialogue and forgiveness, it promotes a punitive and judgmental environment. People start believing it's acceptable to bully or ostracize someone for a perceived mistake, often without the full story or an opportunity for the person to explain or learn. This behavior is not only harmful to the individuals targeted but also to the society at large, as it discourages honesty and growth, replacing these values with fear and conformity.

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