E22 Jon Ronson on Public Shaming

In this episode it was my great pleasure to be joined by Jon Ronson. Jon has worked as a columnist for TimeOut and the Guardian, has made lots of excellent tv and radio, has written multiple bestselling books, and co-wrote the movie Frank. We met in Dublin's elegant Merrion Hotel to discuss Jon's latest book; So You've Been Publicly Shamed, and I was delighted to discover that Jon is as curious, entertaining, and warm in person as he comes across in his books. Shamed explores the recent renaissance of public shaming. If the internet thinks you've abused a position of privilege watch your back because we're coming to destroy you. And it is us doing the destroying, not some malignant, distant, 'they.' Social media has given us the power and it's gone to our heads. We are the angry mob with tweet shaped pitchforks. Just think of Justine Sacco. In Shamed we are guided throught the absurd by Ronson's trademark humour, compassion, and empathy. Empathy is important because, as Jon discusses in our conversation, we are all only one ill-advised tweet from being the next target. This episode is shorter than usual as Jon was on a whirlwind promotional tour but luckily I managed to get one of Jon's last interviews before he returns to New York where he's currently based. Enjoy the episode. Dave For all the episode notes, visit the blog at inspirelandpodcast.com