---
title: "Clive Stafford Smith's three questions"
description: "A way of seeing that the justice system's idea of harm is out of proportion to the harm we do to each other."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/clive-stafford-smiths-three-questions/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Clive Stafford Smith's three questions

> A way of seeing that the justice system's idea of harm is out of proportion to the harm we do to each other.

Jon Ronson's framework, from So You've Been Publicly Shamed, pp. 122 to 137.

Framework 2 of 4 from [So You've Been Publicly Shamed](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/index.md) by Jon Ronson. Category: Systems and operations.

## The steps

1. **Worst thing you have done.** Ask what is the worst thing you have ever done to someone.
2. **Worst crime against you.** Ask what is the worst criminal act ever committed against you.
3. **Compare the damage.** Ask which of the two was the most damaging for the victim.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: 11. The Man Who Can Change the Google Search Results, pp. 122–137

Lindsey Stone, a care worker fired after a joke photo at Arlington cemetery, has lived in fear that employers will google her. Ronson explores black-ops reputation management through Graeme Wood's exposure of Metal Rabbit Media, then meets Michael Fertik of reputation.com, who offers Lindsey free help. A detour via a would-be client, Gregory, who demands a contract for positive coverage, and a conversation with the death-row lawyer Clive Stafford Smith, shows how shaming is a default tool in courtrooms too.

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/clive-stafford-smiths-three-questions.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/clive-stafford-smiths-three-questions-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/clive-stafford-smiths-three-questions.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/clive-stafford-smiths-three-questions-dark.png