When we think of the use of public shaming as a punishment in the Scarlet Letter, most people jump to dismiss it as a big mistake. However, in the article "Is There Anything Useful About Cancel Culture?" Jennifer Forestal explores how public shame can actually help both an individual and their community. Her article is a part of the Greater Good Science Magazine from the University of Berkeley. The article examines the pros and cons of public shaming, with the added perspective of the effects of social media.

Public shame is a strong way of holding one another accountable in a community. It is important in situations where there is a lack of authority, such as a democratic society. Forestal writes that "by harnessing social pressure, public shaming can both motivate people to change their behavior and deter future violations by others". Public shaming makes use of the human desire for validation to the advantage of the community.

A big part of what determines if public shaming is beneficial or not is the context. Forestal names three requirements:
1. The people involved "must recognize shared social norms"
2. The person being shamed "must care about their reputation"
3. The public shaming "must be accompanied by the possibility of reintegration, allowing the shamed to atone and be welcomed back".

Forestal also points out the impact social media has on public shaming. The effects of online shaming are much larger and long-lasting than any that could come from a confined community. Pointing back to her requirements for public shaming to thrive, Forestal notes that "most online shamings... do not take place in this kind of positive social context." While social media may be effective at making the punishment more powerful, it often doesn't make it beneficial for the individual.

Today, public shaming similar to that depicted in The Scarlet Letter has a pretty bad reputation as a form of punishment. However, it has been shown to be effective and even beneficial, provided the right context. According to Jennifer Forestal, what determines whether the shaming will be beneficial ultimately depends on not only the individual but the closeness and efforts of the whole community.