> But my conclusion is that cancel culture is nothing new.

Probably as old as time.

Definitely not a new thing, it always amazed me that people genuinely believe so, but I bet there are more witch-hunts thanks to the internet than ever and that is what makes it feel like it's a new phenomena. There's more, spreads way faster, always someone new to "cancel" or "protect".

Big parts of the internet are like constant reality tv dramas.

I think it's become a case of "Don't hate the player, hate the game."

It used to be called excommunication for heresy, but the behavior is identical.