This righteous attitude confronts an outstretched hand with a fist. Shaming the poor not only saves the wealthier classes money but also makes them feel virtuous. It's akin to the self-satisfaction felt by the thin in the presence of the obese and the sober when comparing themselves to those with a drug or alcohol problem. We succeeded, they think. These others failed. It is this mindset, once again, that sustains the shamescape.

— The Shame Machine by Cathy O'Neil (Page 58)