Great points. I just recently read The Shame Machine which I think did a good job walking the line between the value of shaming, for example pointing out corporate hypocrisy and the people responsible for making harmful, systemic decisions, and overly aggressive personal shaming which leaves no room for redemption or change.
I feel like I mainly agree with your points stated above, but I still think there are many examples where shame can be useful. The issue is when people don't consider power dynamics. For example, Elon Musk has a lot of power. I don't think it's valuable to shame him directly and confront him, but I think there is value in pointing out his shameful behavior to others. Both so people don't try to emulate it, and to discourage a cultural shift that glorifies behavior like that. There is not much a regular person (with little structural power) can do besides pointing out the harms that person is causing, which in the best case will cause them to feel shame and change their behavior.
But you're right, shaming students is not a good strategy, especially when the thing that helps people learn most is their personal relationships with teachers/mentors.
Well said
Great points. I just recently read The Shame Machine which I think did a good job walking the line between the value of shaming, for example pointing out corporate hypocrisy and the people responsible for making harmful, systemic decisions, and overly aggressive personal shaming which leaves no room for redemption or change.
I feel like I mainly agree with your points stated above, but I still think there are many examples where shame can be useful. The issue is when people don't consider power dynamics. For example, Elon Musk has a lot of power. I don't think it's valuable to shame him directly and confront him, but I think there is value in pointing out his shameful behavior to others. Both so people don't try to emulate it, and to discourage a cultural shift that glorifies behavior like that. There is not much a regular person (with little structural power) can do besides pointing out the harms that person is causing, which in the best case will cause them to feel shame and change their behavior.
But you're right, shaming students is not a good strategy, especially when the thing that helps people learn most is their personal relationships with teachers/mentors.