Molly

“There’s an inherent theatricality to church,” writes the critic Alissa Wilkinson, “and a furtive spirituality to theater. In form, they’re similar: Everybody crowds into a room, usually sits facing the same direction, and focuses on a central action — at least for a while.” Alissa uses those parallels to explore a number of recent shows that dance

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Even small mistakes can bring heavy costs in a viral world where content can live forever and everyone can see it. Mistakes can be met with intense criticism by multiple individuals with whom one has no underlying bond. Apologies are often mocked, and any signal of re-acceptance can be mixed or vague. Instead of gaining an experience of social

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the idea of “humiliation rituals” becomes less about grand conspiracies and more about structural inevitabilities. It’s not that anyone is forcing us to humiliate ourselves; it’s that we’ve come to equate being known with being exposed.

This creates an unchecked culture of humiliation, and makes the social media world for Gen Z a place where accountability is absent and cruelty is rewarded. Each viral clip brings more attention to not just the one in front of the camera, but behind the camera as well. While the person being filmed is embarrassed, the one filming walks away with a... See more

The fear of online exposure doesn’t just stop certain young men from asking girls out — it can plant seeds of resentment that threaten to fracture gender relations for a long time.

The threat of public shaming makes normal interactions risky and at times can lessen the chance young men will pursue relationships or go on dates.

Trends such as “fail compilations” or “cringe challenges” — posts showing awkward mistakes or uncomfortable situations meant to make others laugh — encourage people to document embarrassing moments. Popular Instagram accounts post people’s dating profiles, text conversations, and awkward pickup lines. Sometimes they’re anonymous, but not always.... See more

“Send it, bro,” one friend said, “but screw it up and it’ll be screenshotted.” He didn’t send the text.

Until then, we’re stuck with the question that kicked this all off: is everything a humiliation ritual? Maybe not everything . But the more accurate question might be – how much of ourselves are we willing to give away just to stay visible? And when the likes dry up, what exactly are we left with?