In recent years, a chilling phenomenon has emerged in the virtue-signalling world of social media. Known as "cancel culture", it typically involves a backlash against a blundering celebrity who has said something stupid or offensive.

As punishment, their followers collectively decide to boycott that figure's feed or products. Thus, to use the frightening vernacular of the virtual sphere (with all its totalitarian overtones), the sinner is "cancelled", or cast out. Think of it as a nasty online version of the court of public opinion.

The Telegraph London