Monica Lewinsky is “back”, and she has a powerful message: we need to put an end to public shaming, and instead show one another empathy and compassion.

According to a 2013 study conducted by the PEW Research Center, 50% of Americans can identify Syria on a map of the Middle East. Hmmm, interesting. Now compare that with a 1999 Gallup poll that showed that 80% of the public was following the Monica Lewinsky/ President Clinton scandal closely.

Evidently, Americans are far more interested in petty scandal than international affairs. But US Weekly could have told us that. So, is that really so bad?

Actually, yes. In Ms. Lewinsky’s brave TED talk above, she shares her personal (and yet very public) story of “shame” and how it coincided with the breaking of the Information Age, allowing the story- and her public humiliation- to travel more quickly and further than ever before.

"I was branded as a tramp, tart, slut, whore, bimbo and, of course, 'That Woman.' I was seen by many, but actually known by few. ... When this happened to me 17 years ago, there was no name for it. Now, we call it cyberbullying and online harassment."

She continues,

“Cruelty is nothing new. But online, technologically enhanced shaming is amplified, uncontained and permanently accessible. Millions of people can stab you with their words and that's a lot of pain.”

Fortunately, Ms. Lewinsky provides a solution. By showing compassion and empathy online, even just a few voices can make a difference.

"Let's acknowledge the difference between speaking up with intention and speaking up for attention,” she says.

Watch the full video, it’s definitely worth it.