100%. It's the same instinct that saw people gathering with pitchforks and throwing tomatoes (or stones) at sinners. We like to think we're moe civilised today, but some people aren't.

And you're absolutely right, the root of this is that cancel culture proponents are too stupid to form a cohesive argument and make their case rationally. On the occasions that I do debate with these people, it's incredible how often and how quickly their arguments completely fall apart under their own weight or devolve into racism/sexism/authoritarianism.

But while compassion and persuasion rarely works against a mob, it does work on individuals. Most of us have never faced a mob (even I haven't, and I poke them fairly regularly), but we've all faced individuals with the kind of mindset that makes them a potential member of it. This is the point where I think we all need to do better.

Every time we choose genuine discourse over dismissing people for being "woke" and throwing a zinger or two their way, we have a chance at reducing the number of people in the mob. If enough of us do this, we might return to sanity!