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Posted

I once read a story about ostracism working. Girl A loses cellphone. Girl B finds phone. Girl A calls phone and asks for it to be returned. Girl B refuses. Girl A publicizes events. Girl B is spammed by people from the internet shaming her. Girl B returns phone.

 

I was talking with a buddy of mine and wanted to share this story with him despite it being kind of a weak argument for ostracism as a solution to isolated immorality in a free society. I figured if I could find an article with the specifics, it would help the argument.

 

Google thief shame return and be prepared to be blown away at how much people are already using this tool to combat theft! And this is without any formal effort to track such things for the sake of "the public good."

Posted

Most humans are social creatures, and ostracism has a strong effect.

 

In the case of humans who are anti-social, ostracism at least keeps them from bothering other people so much.

Posted

Curious, how did girl a know the identity of girl b in order to ostracise her? I think this particular story was made up, or at least omits some critical information. Your point though, is entirely valid. Ostracism seems to work quite well. If only it was used more often aganist lying politicians and violent parents etc.

Posted

A lot depends on what you mean by "working" ... What's the end game? Is it just to get the phone back? Has other damage been done? Is ostracism the same as shaming someone?

Posted

Is ostracism the same as shaming someone?

 

I don't think so. If you steal my phone and I tell people "quickstine stole my phone," then any shame you experience comes from within. For that matter, shame that doesn't come from within is dishonest.

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