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:
- 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.
- It’s superficial: It rarely delves into real issues or solutions; it’s more about the display than the depth.
- 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.
