Understanding Cancel Culture: The Viral Phenomenon Shaking the Digital World!

Kapanlagi.com - The Indonesian remake of the film "A Business Proposal" seems to be facing major issues in terms of viewership. One of the reasons is the controversy involving its main actor, Abidzar Al-Ghifari. During a promotional session for the film, Abidzar revealed that he had only watched one episode of the original Korean drama and firmly stated that he did not need K-Drama fans to watch his film. This statement immediately sparked public outrage, which then called for a boycott or cancel culture movement against the film.

This case is just one example of the increasingly rampant cancel culture phenomenon, especially in the fast-paced social media era. Although often seen as a form of social punishment, cancel culture also ignites heated debate due to its potentially vast consequences.

So, what exactly is meant by cancel culture? Is it a form of social justice, or does it pose a threat? The Liputan6.com team has compiled various information to explain this phenomenon in depth. Check out the complete explanation that will provoke our thoughts about the impacts and implications of cancel culture in our society.

1. What is Cancel Culture?

Cancel culture, or the culture of cancellation, is a modern social phenomenon that shakes the online world, where voices of dissent can echo rapidly through social media. Unlike conventional boycotts, cancel culture leverages the power of online networks to express massive rejection against individuals or entities deemed offensive.

According to Merriam-Webster, it is the practice of collective cancellation to show dissatisfaction, while the Cambridge Dictionary highlights behavior that withdraws support for someone. In practice, cancel culture often manifests through calls for boycotts, withdrawal of public support, and pressure for controversial figures to apologize.

Anyone can become a target—from celebrities to ordinary people—if they get caught up in actions or statements that provoke the anger of netizens.

2. History and Development of Cancel Culture

The phenomenon of cancel culture may not be new, but it has now gained prominence amid the rapid flow of social media. Starting from a Tumblr blog in 2010, particularly within the fandom community "Your Fave Is Problematic," this concept began to unveil the dark sides of idols and public figures deemed problematic, triggering calls for boycotts that can now easily spread across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Since this term became popular in 2018, especially after several celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kanye West became targets of boycott campaigns, even former US President Barack Obama has spoken out, highlighting its negative impacts that often tend to be more damaging than bringing about change.

In Indonesia, although public figures' mistakes were often forgiven in the past, now, with the rise of social awareness and the power of social media, many must face significant consequences from this culture.

3. The Impact of Cancel Culture on Individuals and Society

Cancel culture is often viewed as a weapon for demanding accountability, but its effects are much broader and more complex. For those who become victims, the psychological pressure they experience can be very heavy, often leading to anxiety, depression, and even job loss.

Not only that, the social stigma attached makes it difficult for them to regain trust, while the opportunity to learn from mistakes is often stripped away. On the other hand, those who engage in cancel culture are not exempt from negative impacts; the frustration and anger that continue to brew can make them increasingly emotional, while empathy for the mistakes of others slowly fades.

It is not uncommon for those involved in this action to receive backlash criticism for being excessive. At the societal level, the effects are even more profound: freedom of expression is threatened, polarization between pro and contra groups sharpens, and the information that circulates is often unverified, potentially leading to defamation.

Cancel culture, with all its complexities, serves as a mirror of the social dynamics that we need to observe wisely.

4. Is Cancel Culture Always Bad?

Although cancel culture is often viewed negatively, it actually has the potential to bring about positive change if applied wisely. By harnessing this power, we can challenge discrimination, racism, and sexual harassment, and encourage individuals and companies to take responsibility for their mistakes, which in turn can trigger better social change.

However, we must be cautious, as cancel culture can be harmful if used to attack without giving a chance for improvement, or if based on unclear information, leading to cyberbullying that damages mental health.

Therefore, it is important to recognize that cancel culture is not the only solution; educational approaches and open dialogue can be more constructive alternatives in addressing issues.

5. How to Wisely Respond to Cancel Culture?

If you want to confront the phenomenon of cancel culture in a more constructive way, there are several smart steps that can be taken. First, make sure to verify the truth of the information before diving into the current.

Give individuals the opportunity to apologize and correct their mistakes. When expressing opinions, avoid hate speech or acts of cyberbullying that will only worsen the situation.

Instead of focusing on punishing individuals, it is better to direct attention to broader and more meaningful changes. Cancel culture can serve as an effective tool if used wisely; however, if it merely becomes a means of mass bullying, its impact can be far more damaging than beneficial.

(kpl/frr)