--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Soon after Justine Sacco’s shaming, I was…" description: "\"“Soon after Justine Sacco’s shaming, I was talking with a friend, a journalist, who told me he had so many jokes, little observations, potentially risq..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/jon-ronson-1772_friendship_soon-after-justine-sacco-s-shaming-i-was_1298749.png" --- # Soon after Justine Sacco’s shaming, I was talking with a… ![“Soon after Justine Sacco’s shaming, I was talking with a friend, a journalist, who told me he had so many jokes, little observations, potentially risqué thoughts, that he wouldn’t dare to post online anymore. “I suddenly feel with social media like I’m tiptoeing around an unpredictable, angry…” quote by Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/jon-ronson-1772_friendship_soon-after-justine-sacco-s-shaming-i-was_1298749.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/jon-ronson-1772_friendship_soon-after-justine-sacco-s-shaming-i-was_1298749.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd6/jon-ronson-1772_friendship_soon-after-justine-sacco-s-shaming-i-was_1298749.png) > ““Soon after Justine Sacco’s shaming, I was talking with a friend, a journalist, who told me he had so many jokes, little observations, potentially risqué thoughts, that he wouldn’t dare to post online anymore. “I suddenly feel with social media like I’m tiptoeing around an unpredictable, angry, unbalanced parent who might strike out at any moment,” he said. “It’s horrible.” He didn’t want me to name him, he said, in case it sparked something off. We see ourselves as nonconformist, but I think all of this is creating a more conformist, conservative age. “Look!” we’re saying. “WE’RE normal! THIS is the average!” We are defining the boundaries of normality by tearing apart the people outside it.”” [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Social media feels like a volatile, unpredictable parent, stifling nonconformity and fostering conformity **In simple terms:** Online platforms can be hostile, pushing people toward normalcy Key Takeaway Navigate social media mindfully, protect individuality Themes media conformity psychology Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - online posting - public discourse - personal expression - mental health awareness Key Concepts social pressure digital culture Questions to Reflect On - What strategies help maintain authenticity online? - How does fear of backlash shape public conversation? A Different Perspective Silencing dissent can limit free expression and innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conformist Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformist-conservative-3755714/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Justine Sacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justine-sacco-4257634/) [Sacco Shaming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacco-shaming-4257633/) [Shaming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaming/) [Shaming Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaming-talking-4257635/) [Social media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-media/) [Tearing apart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tearing-apart/) [Twitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twitter/) ## Related quotes > [“In Ferdydurke, Gombrowicz got at the fundamental shift that occurred during the twentieth century: until then mankind was divided in two--those who defended the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/in-ferdydurke-gombrowicz-got-at-the-fundamental-shift-that-occurred/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [It's not a good idea to define the boundaries of normality by tearing apart people who are outside of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/it-s-not-a-good-idea-to-define-the-boundaries-of-normality-by-tearing/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [“We are defining the boundaries of normality by tearing apart the people outside of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/we-are-defining-the-boundaries-of-normality-by-tearing-apart-the/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [“Look! We're saying. "We're normal! This is the average!" We're defining the boundaries of normality by tearing apart the people outside of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/look-we-re-saying-we-re-normal-this-is-the-average-we-re-defining-the/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [In the early days of Twitter, it was like a place of radical de-shaming. People would admit shameful secrets about themselves, and other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/in-the-early-days-of-twitter-it-was-like-a-place-of-radical-de/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [In the midst of a burning-hot shaming, calling for patience and context and understanding and empathy can really land you in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/in-the-midst-of-a-burning-hot-shaming-calling-for-patience-and/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [Shaming is powerful and useful. 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