Social Media-Based Public Shaming Has Gotten Out of Control

Are people so busy fiddling with their electronic devices that they can no longer resolve disputes face to face?

It certainly seems that way lately. The insane tale of Adria Richards' dismissal from SendGrid is just the latest example of the social media-based public shaming trend. Don't get me wrong. I am in no way endorsing Richards' firing and especially not the horrifying comments and threats she received through social media. Nor am I in any way saying that she got what she deserved

However, there is a case to be made that this whole incident could have been avoided with one real-life conversation.