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| Pelourinho da Sé do Porto. |
Looking at this old stone column, I can’t help but shiver imagining the scene centuries ago. The pillory was more than punishment — it was humiliation on display. Strapped into the wooden frame, your every flaw and mistake exposed to the entire town, subject to ridicule, laughter, and jeers. People could throw scraps, spit, or just stare — a slow, grinding reminder that society was watching and judging.
It’s hard not to draw a comparison to today. Social media has become the modern pillory. Mistakes go viral, opinions spread like wildfire, and reputations can crumble in hours. Only the stage has changed; the exposure is digital now. And yet, the core feeling is the same: total, inescapable public scrutiny, a reminder of how sharply society can wield judgment.
Standing here, it’s clear that long before the first tweet or post, human nature already loved a spectacle — and some things never change. 
That is so sad, and yes, it's true. I hadn't thought about social media in comparison to this, but I guess human nature is unchanged.
ReplyDeleteSocial media just makes it worse...
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten the word Pillory. The internet does make things so much worse. If you were trapped in the stocks the town knew, and later you got released, but online access now means the whole world can know. And there is no release as "once online, forever online"
ReplyDeleteYou're so very right. Social media can be just that. For all the good it can do it can also do such harm. Well said.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week, Veronica. ♥
So beautiful picture.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Andreja from Slovenija by Ljubljana
sad and horrible
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the major reasons that I quit Facebook ages ago, Veronica. Humiliating others just isn't in my wheelhouse. I guess human nature doesn't change. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThat writing is so true! What a lovely picture, even though the subject is chilling!
ReplyDeleteRather disappointing that we don't learn from the past and struggle to truly evolve into our higher selves.
ReplyDeleteThat's a profound observation, Veronica! And so true. Striking photo, and your AI image is excellent as well.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what's being shamed, though. Sometimes the ridicule is deserved. Mostly not, of course, but sometimes...
ReplyDeleteYes, you are absolutely right, Veronica! Social media has become a new scourge.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a nice weekend!
That would be pretty humiliating. And yes, you are spot on about social media.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about public humiliation. Why does man kind need this?
ReplyDeleteCathy
I'm surprised they still have that old stone column on display. But I guess it's a reminder of what not to do today. ; ) Have a wonderful May week, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteWow. What a powerful post. So true.
ReplyDeleteI closed my Facebook account a year ago and haven't missed it.
ReplyDeleteVery sad.
You are so right
ReplyDeleteI love your comparison with social media as the modern version. You are so right!
ReplyDeleteDearest Veronica,
ReplyDeleteYou're the very first who let me think about pillory in this way!
Alas, it was so common in our European past history, but I've always thought it to be excessive as humiliation.
Your shot is truly amazing, honestly I didn't know Portugal was so interesting as for art, thank you.
Wishing you a lovely day and weekend ahead
XO Daniela @ ~ My little old world ~
Must have so dreadful back then, it makes one think how it would have been. Not a nice time for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. People don't know how to handle social media either. Society has become so mean-sadly.
ReplyDeleteSo very true! A very interesting analogy. I'm so glad that I am not famous in this era of social media.
ReplyDeleteI think tha the current pillory is worse because it comes to the attention of a greater number of people than in the past.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. I never thought of the comparison of the old way of public shame and our modern social media. Very insightful and unfortunately true.
ReplyDeleteDear Veronica!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, you're right about social media today, and it's all getting out of hand. Poor mouse, Luckily, it's only AI picture.
tragico né? muito triste
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree too, that sums up social media!
ReplyDeleteI think you draw some accurate parallels between old and new forms of humiliation. Good post!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is very true.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that something. I remember when we were children, there was an old stocks in the town square that we kids could put ourselves into. I remember having a good laugh and photos were taken by parents, but as an adult I say, "Oh dear!" We didn't realize the significance back in those days, or that some of these punishments were for merely stealing a loaf of bread because they were starving. I still adore your mice even though the one in the stocks is quite sad.
ReplyDeleteYes people are strange creatures What do they get out of it by putting others down Maybe a sense of power I dont know
ReplyDeleteThe old and the new scary!!
ReplyDeleteHumans can be remarkably inhumane and judgemental to their fellows who fall.
ReplyDelete...you had better be good!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately true, Veronica. Your comparison about old and news methods of public humiliation right.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a vivid and haunting reflection. You captured not just the physical punishment, but the psychological cruelty behind the pillory — the public shame, the loss of dignity, and the power of collective judgment. Reading this really makes history feel immediate and human rather than distant. The atmosphere you created is incredibly powerful and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteBom dia minha querida amiga Veronica. Um excelente domingo para você e todos os seus familiares. Muitas atrocidades aconteceram em vários pelourinhos no Brasil. Desejo uma excelente domingo, para você e todos os seu familiares na Malásia. Grande abraço do seu amigo carioca.
ReplyDeleteWow, such an interesting parallel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteInteresante post, en el que se demuestra que los seres humanos no aprendemos y seguimos tropezando en la misma piedra una y otra vez.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
Oh so very true! That court of public opinion can be so severe so quickly too-- without knowing any of the facts.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood why people spectate on another's misery such as the public floggings, hangings and so on. Today's social media isa another way people spectate and either idol worship the celebrities or find ways to pick them apart. Very sad indeed. On a brighter note, I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that is awful. People are so quick to judge, without knowing the whole story most likely. Cute AI mice image. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy week ahead! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteGood and bad reputations are too often built on lies told online. It's frightening.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
may our online lives reflect kindness, grace, and support for one another.
ReplyDeleteOona: "What is this 'shame' of which you speak? Oona is not familiar with it."
ReplyDeleteLulu: "That's because you're a cat. Please allow me, a dog to explain all about shame and how it—"
Oona: "No."
Ohja liebe Veronica, dieser Vergleich stimmt leider. Ich halte mich da total zurück und bin auch auf solchen Plattformen gar nicht oder kaum unterwegs. Ich weiß auch nicht wie man das ändern kann wenn die Menschen es nicht selbst tun!
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße
Kerstin und Helga
So true Veronica.
ReplyDeleteI thought your analogy comparing wooden stocks to modern social media was quite accurate. Hopefully we can be the kind of people that build others up by focusing on what they do well, instead of laying on abuse when things go poorly.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBjxxx,
Pinterest | Instagram | Blog
I totally agree about the social media pile ons and cancel culture.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to feel heavy when visiting places like this, no?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing sights and reflections from your travels, dear Veronica. I hope you are doing well. :)
Hello Veronica,
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that you get the shivers down your spine when you talk about something like the pillory. Yet, that is really how it used to be done. Bizarre, isn't it? What you say about the modern pillory is also true. Social media is truly disastrous in that regard.
Best regards, Helma