Can Performative "Outrage" Be Trusted?

Simon Stapleton
Exploring the hidden psychology behind leadership, ambition, confidence and performance | Founder of Openmind™ Psychometrics and Truthsayers Neurotech®

November 8, 2024

Performative outrage: the flashy, loud, and often theatrical outbursts we see from celebrities, influencers, and, yes, even some of our friends on social media. It’s the moral grandstanding, the high-octane reactions, the hashtags, and sometimes the outrage that catches headlines. But here’s the kicker – in a world where every thought, reaction, and hot take can be amplified at a moment’s notice, how much of it is genuine, and how much is simply an act? Can we actually trust performative outrage, or is it just another tool people use to navigate – or manipulate – the landscape of public opinion?

Let’s cut through the noise and figure out where performative outrage truly stands.

What is Performative Outrage?

At its core, performative outrage is a display of anger or indignation, often delivered in public and meant to show others how morally upstanding or righteous someone is. While authentic outrage is a genuine reaction to something unjust or offensive, performative outrage tends to have a few distinguishing traits:

1. It’s attention-seeking: The outrage is designed to attract an audience, typically via a social media post, a public statement, or even a full-blown press release.
2. It’s superficial: It rarely delves into real issues or solutions; it’s more about the display than the depth.
3. It’s trendy: Performative outrage often centers on topics that are hot-button or current. It fades as quickly as it appears when the topic isn’t trending anymore.

Performative outrage isn’t new – people have been posturing morally for ages. However, the internet has made it more visible, giving anyone with an internet connection the power to broadcast their views.

Where Performative Outrage Shows Up

You’ve probably seen it everywhere, from celebrities who apologize in elaborate statements over perceived slights to brands boycotting or “canceling” each other over trivial differences. But, it’s on social media where performative outrage flourishes.

• Celebrity Statements: When a celebrity says something controversial (or even accidentally offensive), they’re often pressured into a public apology. But many times, the apology doesn’t read as genuine; it’s worded to calm the mob and avoid further damage to their reputation.
• Brand Marketing: Companies are notorious for tapping into social outrage when it suits them. They’ll support causes with hashtags and slogans, but too often, it’s about capitalizing on a trend rather than a deep commitment to change.
• Social Media Users: We all know someone who loves to hop on the outrage bandwagon, loudly condemning an issue and then forgetting about it two weeks later when the next scandal emerges.

Why Do People Engage in Performative Outrage?

There’s no single answer to why people engage in performative outrage, but here are some common motivators:

• Social Capital: Being vocal about social issues can increase one's social standing, especially in communities where social awareness and “wokeness” are valued.
• Fear of Missing Out: There’s a real “FOMO” element to it. If everyone else is outraged about something, some people feel pressure to be outraged too, fearing they’ll be left out if they don’t participate.
• Influence and Visibility: For influencers, brands, and public figures, showing outrage can be an easy way to stay visible and relevant. Outrage can drive engagement – retweets, shares, and comments – all of which are social currency.
• Moral Superiority: Some people genuinely enjoy feeling morally superior. By publicly denouncing others, they get a rush of righteousness.

The Pros and Cons of Performative Outrage

While performative outrage often gets a bad rap, it’s worth noting that it can have both positive and negative effects. Here’s a look at both sides.

Pros:

• Increased Awareness: Even if performative, outrage can still bring attention to issues that need visibility. Sometimes, the sheer volume of voices can compel change, even if every voice isn’t sincere.
• Group Solidarity: People can feel a sense of unity by standing with others on a cause, even if they aren’t personally affected.
• Accountability: Performative outrage can put pressure on people and institutions to act responsibly and remain accountable.

Cons:

• Erodes Trust: When outrage becomes performative, people may begin to question whether any outrage is genuine. This cynicism can make it harder to spot true issues that need attention.
• Creates Division: Performative outrage can lead to polarized conversations, where everyone’s shouting and no one’s actually listening.
• Shifts Focus Away from Solutions: Outrage alone rarely leads to meaningful change. Without follow-through, it’s just noise, which distracts from real solutions.

Can Performative Outrage Ever Be Authentic?

This is the paradox of performative outrage – it’s possible for outrage to start as performative and become genuine. Someone might initially join a cause to follow a trend, but in learning about the issue, they may develop authentic feelings. Alternatively, someone could begin by genuinely caring about a cause but, due to social media dynamics, end up amplifying their emotions for the sake of visibility.

So, yes, there’s a chance that a spark of sincerity can exist in even the most performative displays. However, without deeper engagement – real donations, actions, or time dedicated to causes – it’s often impossible to separate the genuine from the staged.

Is Performative Outrage Dangerous?

It’s easy to brush off performative outrage as harmless posturing, but it can actually have harmful consequences, especially when it drowns out real activism. Here’s how:

• Dilutes Real Movements: When a movement becomes trendy, the focus often shifts from the original goals to a distorted version. This can discredit the movement, especially when those engaging aren’t genuinely committed.
• Enables “Cancel Culture”: Performative outrage can fuel cancel culture, creating an environment where people are punished for minor missteps or old actions, without a path to redemption.
• Breeds Public Fatigue: People get tired of outrage after a while. If every issue is met with the same fervor, people start tuning out, leading to desensitization.

Can You Trust Someone’s Performative Outrage?

The short answer: It depends. It’s difficult to assess the authenticity of anyone’s reaction, especially when it’s delivered online. But here are some signs that can help you judge:

• Consistency: Do they continue to engage with the issue, even when it’s not trendy? If they consistently bring up causes they care about, they’re more likely to be genuine.
• Follow-Up Actions: Are they taking real steps to support the cause? Outrage should ideally be paired with action – whether that’s donating, volunteering, or speaking up in relevant spaces.
• Level of Knowledge: Those who are genuinely concerned usually know more than the surface-level details. They’ll talk about specifics rather than just parroting slogans.
• Tone and Approach: Genuine outrage often has a different tone – it’s usually calmer, more focused, and less about moral superiority and more about concern.

How to Avoid Getting Sucked into Performative Outrage

Social media is a breeding ground for performative outrage, and it’s all too easy to get swept up. Here are some ways to keep yourself grounded:

• Be Critical of Trends: Just because something’s trending doesn’t mean it’s important or worth your energy. Assess whether it’s a cause you truly care about before joining in.
• Engage in Private Reflection: It’s easy to hit “share” or “like,” but take a moment to reflect on the issue before you react. Ask yourself why you’re outraged – is it a gut reaction, or is it something that aligns with your values?
• Focus on Local Action: Real change often starts at the grassroots level. Instead of joining in on online outrage, consider looking for ways to help causes in your own community.
• Hold Yourself Accountable: If you’re publicly outraged about an issue, follow through. Whether it’s making a donation, educating yourself, or volunteering, make sure your outrage leads to action.
• Seek Diverse Opinions: Don’t surround yourself with echo chambers. Seek out multiple perspectives on an issue, even if they challenge your own beliefs.

Does Performative Outrage Have a Future?

In the end, whether performative outrage can be trusted is less important than whether it’s productive. If we start measuring outrage not by its volume but by its impact, we may finally be able to separate the signal from the noise – and maybe, just maybe, turn down the volume on outrage altogether.

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