So You've Been Publicly Shamed

Justine Sacco's ill advised tweet of “Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding I'm white!” was sent out to a mere 170 followers. Somehow, in the 11 hour span of her flight, she landed to find she had become a worldwide phenomenon with people demanding she be killed, raped, arrested or, at the very least, fired.

This overzealous outrage has gotten out of hand. It's one thing when a vocal online community can bring corporate entities down a notch. It's only thing entirely when it ruins the lives of otherwise unremarkable folks. Sure it's a single tweet, but no snowflake ever feels like it caused the avalanche.

It's certainly stirring up discussion online. Which is a big part of the problem I have with the book. Between the interviews, think pieces, criticism, podcasts and reviews it felt like I'd already read most of the book already. It's like finally getting to watch the movie and all the best parts were already in the trailers.