Survey: Public Opinion on Cancel Culture

Cancel culture has become a polarizing topic in recent years, as public figures face public backlash for saying or doing offensive things. The idea of canceling someone refers to blocking, boycotting, or shunning in a professional or social setting. The process of canceling someone often begins with public backlash, fueled by politically progressive social media—leading to calls for accountability and disciplinary action.

Cancel Culture: A Tool for Justice or Senseless Mob Rule?

To some people, cancel culture is an imperative tool for social justice, as it enables collective action to combat power imbalances between public figures and the communities they may harm. However, conservative politicians and pundits argue that cancel culture has become a form of senseless social media mob rule.

It is crucial to note that actually ending someone’s career through cancel culture is difficult, as few public figures have truly been “canceled.” While they may face considerable negative repercussions and calls for accountability, very few have experienced career-ending consequences.

J.K Rowling and the Limits of Cancel Culture

For instance, J.K Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, faced intense criticism from her own fans for her transphobic beliefs. However, after publishing a transphobic manifesto in 2020—ironically, her book sales increased tremendously in Great Britain.    

Additionally, according to a Real Research blog, Hogwarts Legacy received backlash from the community due to Rowling’s statements, which were widely criticized by the trans community and their allies, led to calls for a boycott of her books and movies and the highly anticipated Harry Potter game.

Striking a Balance Between Accountability and Free Speech

The debate around cancel culture raises vital questions about accountability, power, and free speech. While holding public figures accountable for their words and actions is essential, cancel culture can also be seen as a form of censorship that stifles free speech and the exchange of ideas.

Moreover, cancel culture can often be weaponized to target individuals for political or ideological reasons rather than genuine concerns about their behavior. This can lead to a chilling effect on free speech, where people may feel afraid to express their views for fear of being “canceled.”

Hence, Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on cancel culture to gather further insights on this subject. Hurry and answer the survey on public opinion on cancel culture on the Real Research app from March 12, 2023, and win 60TNCs as a reward.