Or should that be how to cultivate cancellation? Hard to say, but then that's what you get with new teeth...

I recently encountered the term " cancel culture " in the popular press but had no idea exactly what it meant. The computer's dictionary was no help and my 1909 Mirriam-Webster was little better. I started to think it was just a buzz phrase like " hare trigger " and "water pump ".

Fortunately, Google could supply the answers - it is right up with the latest trends...possibly because it has caused them, or can get advertising revenue thereby. Whatever...apparently cancel culture affects celebrities badly. They are stripped of reputation and favour, though in most cases they still get to keep their money and big cars. People seem keen to find reasons to sneer at and decry them based upon opinion, power, and money.

In short - it's the Mob howling with the torches and pitchforks - only this time it is through the alleyways of social media instead of 18th century Paris. They still want heads on pikes but they want to be seen to be virtuous and sophisticated while doing the shrieking. They try to bite but try to be a Noam Chompsky while doing it.

Well, not being a celebrity anywhere but in my own mind, I wondered if I had ever been cancelled...and I suspect I have been. At the time I just thought it was being ignored. It happened a lot at parties when I was a teenager and has contributed to my life-long aversion to teenage parties. I ring up the police and report 'em.

The Google entries about cultural cancellation gave a set of tips on how not to be cancelled. They included being careful in commenting on social issues and not using humour. And apparently if you have been relying on influencers to save you, it doesn't work. I suspect that if you are seen to be wearing a red letter " A " or heard to disapprove of Cotton Mather that you'll also be in trouble with the cultural cleaners.

I'll tell you right now - I'm getting rid of the black cat and the broom. And I'm putting the picture of Senator McCarthy back up in the place of honour on the wall...

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