Why is this subject, “The Cancel Culture Curse,” important in the world?
The social phenomenon of cancel culture is affecting our everyday lives. And large corporations and A-list celebrities are not the only ones in danger of becoming victims of cancel culture. The average person is at the most risk and is the least able to fight back. The reputations and livelihoods of people everywhere are in jeopardy because mob justice does not offer a presumption of innocence. Internet trolls – or as I call them in my book – “cancel vultures” act as judge, jury, and executioner, shutting down debate and making all mistakes permanent.
What is the pressing issue right now, and how are you addressing it?
The most pressing issue is that cancel culture is fundamentally un-American. It negatively impacts our society by shutting down open discourse and civil discord that our democracy depends upon. Making a comeback was once a celebrated ideal in America, but the cancel culture movement has also taken aim at the values of forgiveness and compassion, which used to be cornerstones of our value system. Cancel culture exposes the everyday citizen to the threat of being canceled for even the most minor of offenses, taking away the ability for them to apologize, make amends and improve. Rather than relying on tried-and-true means of holding someone accountable, like the judicial system, internet mobs are taking it upon themselves to act as the judge, jury, and executioner, and the sentence they impose as punishment can very often be disproportionate to the offense and permanent.
I am addressing this issue in my book firstly by defining precisely what it is we’re talking about so that we can build proper discourse around the issue. I have analyzed the phenomenon of cancel culture and identified six essential elements that separate warranted controversies from instances of cancel culture. I have also provided a detailed playbook for readers to defend themselves against being canceled by the so-called “cancel vultures,” who thrive upon picking apart those who are left to die on the side of the Internet highway.
Evan Nierman Biography
What is your background in this subject?
As Founder and CEO of a crisis management firm that regularly deals with the fallout from cancel culture, I have spent years helping people navigate challenging situations and protect their reputations at times when their lives were being torn apart by online mobs. My new book, The Cancel Culture Curse: From Rage to Redemption in a World Gone Mad draws on my personal observations of the sometimes-irreversible damage that can result from cancel culture.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a big soccer fan and was the captain of my college soccer team at George Washington University.
What are your passions outside of your career?
As a husband and proud father of two beautiful children, I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy volunteering with various community projects locally.
Are there any social causes that you believe in and support?
At Red Banyan, we regularly dedicate significant resources to pro-bono work for charities and community organizations doing great work. Outside of our agency, I volunteer with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and sit on the Broward Executive Council of the American Israel Public Affairs committee. I also regularly get involved in social action projects through my synagogue and a charitable group for business leaders I work with in Parkland and Coral Springs.
What is next for you?
My strategic communication firm Red Banyan has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years and our sights are set on continued global expansion. I’ve set a lot of ambitious goals for the team and myself in the year ahead and have some interesting projects in the works. I also plan to continue raising awareness around the negative impacts of cancel culture, as well as helping people and businesses to defend themselves against unwarranted attacks aiming to tarnish their reputations.
The Cancel Culture Curse
Tell me about your book.
Cancel culture is an insidious force in society today. In the seconds it takes to make one regrettable social media post—or wind up on the wrong side of a false accusation or misunderstanding— reputations, relationships, and careers are destroyed. “The Cancel Culture Curse” explores an evolving world in which people cannot make mistakes and where no apology or change of heart can deliver forgiveness. The playing field is no longer level, thanks to vengeful internet mobs.
We once celebrated comebacks in America, but now the road to redemption is often being blocked by those on the internet who seek vengeance for being offended, and want that vengeance to have permanent consequences. In my book, I take on these and other thought-provoking questions about this force that is so greatly impacting our society. I define clearly for the first time what cancel culture is and is not through six identified characteristics and outline how not to become the movement’s next victim. The Cancel Culture Curse also includes fascinating case studies and interviews with well-known victims of cancel culture, including Peter Boghossian, Mumford & Sons Co-Founder Winston Marshall, and “San Francisco Karen,” among others.
Top 5 Worst Apologies From Video Game Companies(Opens in a new browser tab)
Where can people buy the book?
“The Cancel Culture Curse: From Rage to Redemption in a World Gone Mad” will be available beginning April 11th on Amazon.
