I think this is largely accurate. There are unfortunate “witchhunts” where nuance and understanding are totally eschewed in favor of self-righteous mob mentality, but this is nothing new.

I don’t think I’m saying anything particularly novel when I say that the biggest problem with this discourse is that every form of consequence for ones actions is labelled “cancel culture” by bad faith actors. I was caught doping up my racehorse and now my victory is considered illegitimate? Cancel culture. A large number of people on Twitter don’t like something I, a very wealthy public figure, did? Cancel culture.

But there IS a vindictive, bloodthirsty streak out there that I think is maladaptive at best. I don’t think anyone should be fired or destroyed for something stupid they said a decade ago, for instance, and I think real evidence for past wrongdoings needs to be evaluated before a mass shunning or divestment happens. When a motivated group of people all complain at once though, employers/orgs get scared and capitulate.

(I’m broadly talking about the liberals and left here mostly, but only because I’m much less familiar with whatever “self-policing” goes on on the right.)

I’m not sure what Obama brings to this discussion, but uh… Thanks, Obama.