Understanding Society's Obsession with Celebrity Scandals: A Deep Dive into Public Outrage and Justice Addiction

Understanding Society’s Obsession with Celebrity Scandals: A Deep Dive into Public Outrage and Justice Addiction

Reader’s Question:
I’m having trouble understanding the people who get so worked up over the scandals of celebrities, especially regarding infidelity and allegations of coercion in sexual acts. While I can see the concern when it comes to criminal behavior, I find it shocking to see posts on social media saying things like “Don’t forgive ~” or “Don’t allow ~ to
make a comeback,” especially when it has nothing to do with them personally. Why are they so passionate about criticizing others’ misconduct? Watching a society bound by compliance and a showbiz world that succumbs to that pressure is quite disappointing. I often feel that they should invest more energy into their own lives.

Thoughts on the Enthusiasm for Others’ Scandals

Recently, I’ve noticed an overwhelming amount of criticism on social media regarding the scandals of celebrities. Especially when it comes to infidelity and allegations of coercion, seeing so many voices saying “Don’t forgive!” or “Absolutely no comeback!” honestly surprises me. What drives such passion? Sometimes, when I come across these posts, I find myself thinking, “Why do they get so heated over someone else’s issues?” Even though it has nothing to do with me, I can’t help but feel a sense of discomfort. I remember a time when I went to a comedy show with friends, and one of the jokes was about a celebrity’s infidelity. The whole venue burst into laughter, but it made me ponder for a moment, “Is this really something to laugh about?”

The Just World Hypothesis and Justice Addiction

While thinking about this, I was struck by a comment that mentioned the “Just World Hypothesis.” According to this theory, people react strongly to others’ scandals because they wish the world to be fair. In other words, there’s a psychological belief that those who do wrong should always be punished. Certainly, if that feeling is at the core of their reactions, I can understand the idea of “working together to eradicate evil.” However, what I question is whether they are genuinely acting for the benefit of society or if they’re simply caught up in “justice addiction.” I think we should also focus more energy on valuing our own lives and those around us.

The Impact of False Accusations

That said, I was taken aback by the mention of “false accusations and wrongful arrests.” The mistrust towards the police in Japan must be intense for those who have experienced it, and I occasionally find myself wondering, “Can I really trust them?” A friend of mine once got caught up in a minor trouble and was questioned by the police, and he was genuinely distressed, saying, “I haven’t done anything wrong; why is this happening to me?” Hearing stories like this makes me think that while it’s fine to criticize others’ misconduct, valuing the people around us might be even more important. It’s great to work together to eradicate evil, but we shouldn’t forget to cherish the small acts of justice in our daily lives.

What Do You Think?

So, what do you all think? Do you believe we should react to others’ scandals or invest more energy in our surroundings? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I want to deepen my understanding while listening to your opinions, and I’d be happy to find common ground. If you have any interesting stories about everyday events, please feel free to share!