Think of a Goth teen for example. Why is she Goth? Because of the ego. Then the shaming starts from the evil people:
"Stop expressing yourself, you're embarrassing everyone!

Or the corrupt spiritual community: "Ego is not allowed, you'll never make it to Enlightenment by being passionate. You need to sit and meditate all day!" Meanwhile none of these people get Enlightenment.

The Buddha nearly killed himself trying to kill the ego. Then he took up the middle path, which is the path of ego and spiritual balance.