41 Times Irony Brought Irrational People Back To Reality

These posts are from the This You Comebacks subreddit, an online community dedicated to calling out the hypocrisy of public figures like celebrities and politicians. 

But what exactly about hypocrites draws a person’s ire? According to psychological scientist and Harvard University professor Jillian Jordan, it’s seeing the misrepresentation of the individual’s moral character.

“People dislike hypocrites because they unfairly use condemnation to gain reputational benefits and appear virtuous at the expense of those whom they are condemning–when these reputational benefits are in fact undeserved,” Jordan said.

Hypocrisy puts morality in question, which is why people will never admit to it. According to social psychologist and educator Daniel Stalder, it’s also why politicians will deny such a label and instead perceive themselves as making “politically smart decisions.”

“In addition to denial and rationalization, we may lash out at the accuser in an ad hominem attack,” Stalder wrote. “ If we’re caught changing our position for less-than-noble reasons, we can say we’ve 'evolved.’ It’s a pleasant-sounding alternative to being a flip-flopper”

Much like a haphazard social media post, it would be nearly impossible to take back a hypocritical statement or behavior. However, Stalder says we can address our inconsistent actions in less biased ways, beginning by acknowledging the wrongdoing. 

The next step would be to find a way to move on, regardless of how long the backlash from the hypocrisy lingers.

“It is normal to be inconsistent in the complex lives most of us lead,” Stalder wrote. “How we respond when made aware of it seems more important. Although biased responses are normal, we can also try to acknowledge and take responsibility.”

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