Writer Jon Ronson on how shame rules the Internet

Jon Ronson's new book, "So You've Been Publicly Shamed," explores the "strange phenomenon of the participatory ­Internet," writes Choire Sicha in the New York Times.

From time to time, it seems as if every user of social media rises up as one to ­denounce, shame and remove an apparently deserving victim. The first few times Ronson witnessed this, he was intrigued -- even exhilarated. "When we deployed shame, we were utilizing an immensely powerful tool," he writes of his initial reaction: "The silenced were ­getting a voice. It was like the democratization of justice." Or was it? His view turned gradually darker.

MPR News Kerri Miller talked with Ronson about public shaming.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.