Shaming

 Shaming was one strategy of the Catholic Church. Shaming is at the root of bullying. Shaming is a tactic of weak people. Shaming is sometimes a ploy of parents. Shaming often falls on those of different gender, ethnicity, race, disability and more.

But the most subtle and pervasive use of shaming is in the strategies of advertising and marketing. We must outdo the Jones with the fastest and most beautifully appointed car. We must have the new kitchen or bath. Wives in expansive, sparkling kitchens offer us nee cleaning products. In-style is the key to being accepted, even if we must throw out yesterday’s fashions.

We are shamed into buying more, having more, wanting more, living beyond our means, accumulating much useless stuff. We are shamed into defining ourselves by our stuff and being ourselves by being like the influencers.