15 chapters across the catalog
Mask Mandates and Social Media, Ice Bucket Challenge Comparison
The current social pressure to wear masks is compared to the viral nature of the Ice Bucket Challenge, described as a form of self-moral licensing. In the Netherlands, masks are derogatorily referred to by some as "face diapers." An anecdote is shared about a woman being removed from a train in Rotterdam for a mask violation.
Moral Self-Licensing, Corporate Social Responsibility Study
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that "Corporate Social Responsibility" (CSR) programs can lead to increased employee misconduct through "moral self-licensing." The theory posits that when individuals do something perceived as "good," such as wearing a "pussy hat" or supporting a corporate charity, they feel licensed to act selfishly or dishonestly in other areas.
Patrick Stewart Citizenship, Virtue Signaling
Actor Patrick Stewart announced his intention to apply for U.S. citizenship to "fight" the Trump administration. This action is identified by a listener as "virtue signaling," a term describing actions taken to demonstrate one's moral character to others without necessarily solving a problem.
New research suggests that "moral outrage" on social media is often a form of self-interest used to reinforce one's status as a good person. The hosts discussed their personal strategies for "preemptive blocking" on Twitter to manage interactions with obnoxious or self-righteous users.
Moral Self-Licensing, Standing Rock Facebook Check-ins, Iranian Green Movement
The concept of moral self-licensing is examined through the lens of over one million people "checking in" at Standing Rock on Facebook to support pipeline protesters without being physically present. This behavior is compared to previous digital activism trends like the 2009 Iranian Green Movement and changing profile icons for various causes. Such actions are characterized as innocuous gestures that allow individuals to feel they have contributed to a cause while avoiding substantive action.
Malcolm Gladwell, Moral Licensing Theory
Author Malcolm Gladwell discussed "moral licensing" in the context of female political leaders like Julia Gillard and Hillary Clinton. Gladwell argues that once a society breaks a barrier by electing a woman, it often feels "licensed" to subject her to extreme misogynistic vitriol. The hosts dispute Gladwell's claims of "undue scrutiny" toward Clinton.
The hosts analyze the rapid global adoption of the French tricolor flag on social media profiles as a form of "moral self-licensing" and "mind control." They critique President Obama's speech for nearly confusing the French motto "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" with the American "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," suggesting the rhetoric was poorly prepared.
Moral Self-Licensing, Red Nose Day and Menstruation Taboos
The concept of "moral self-licensing" is discussed in the context of charity trends like Red Nose Day and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The hosts critique a new "awareness" campaign involving "tampon selfies" intended to break taboos around menstruation. They argue these social media trends allow people to feel virtuous without actually contributing to a cause.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and "Moral Self-Licensing"
The Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Association launched a controversial new campaign featuring a man who claims he was diagnosed with the disease after failing to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge. Critics describe this as a form of "moral self-licensing" and compare it to predatory chain letters that use guilt to drive donations. The campaign is viewed as a manipulative extension of the viral 2014 fundraising phenomenon.
Moral Self-Licensing, Lyme Disease, and the Lime Challenge
The concept of "moral self-licensing" is explored through the lens of viral charity challenges. A new trend involving eating a lime for Lyme disease, reportedly promoted by Ryan Seacrest and Yolanda Foster, is criticized as a superficial gesture. The segment notes that the high citric acid in limes can damage tooth enamel and that the challenge has no logical connection to the disease.
The "Avon 39" walk to end breast cancer is cited as an example of "moral self-licensing," where participants feel they have fulfilled their social duty by performing a difficult physical task. The marketing encourages walkers to "become the hero you want to be," focusing on personal achievement and "blisters as a badge of courage." Critics argue these events do little to actually solve the underlying medical issues while providing a psychological "out" for participants.
Lauren Smith, daughter of a No Agenda knight, received a top grade for her essay and speech on "moral self-licensing." The hosts discuss the concept and apologize for their previous skepticism regarding the academic reception of the topic.
Knighting of Sir Kristan and Dame Lauren Smith
Kristan Smith of Lincolnshire is knighted, and his 13-year-old daughter Lauren's Damehood is acknowledged. The hosts discuss Lauren's school essay on "moral self-licensing," a concept previously analyzed on the show, and play a requested jingle featuring Hillary Clinton.
Moral Self-Licensing, Family Medicine, Dr. Sharkey
Dr. Sharkey, a professor of family medicine, writes in about introducing the concept of "moral self-licensing" to his students. He satirizes the concept by suggesting a doctor could announce support for a patient's cause, dump ice water on their own head, and consider the medical problem solved.
Moral Self-Licensing, Ice Bucket Challenge Psychology
Stanford University research from 2010 defines "Moral Self-Licensing" as a phenomenon where past good deeds liberate individuals to engage in later immoral or problematic behaviors. The Ice Bucket Challenge exemplifies this by allowing participants to "license" themselves against donating $100 by performing a public act of dousing themselves with water. This psychological shortcut provides the appearance of morality without the actual cost.
