Universal Guide to Popular Cultural, Internet, Online, and Political Jargon
| filed under: pop culture slang, vegan jargon, health jargon, fitness jargon, political jargon, plant-based diet terms, runner’s jargon, carnivore diet jargon, internet slang, keto jargon, cultural jargon, CrossFit terms, online community jargon, social media terms, internet jargonWelcome to the Universal Guide to Popular Cultural, Internet, Online, and Political Jargon, a comprehensive exploration of the language shaping today’s heated debates and digital conversations. From early platforms like BBS, IRC, and USENET to modern social media giants like Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram, this guide covers the ever-evolving lexicon used in social media, political discourse, and online communities, alongside the jargon from fitness, lifestyle trends, and subcultures. It tackles some of the most politically charged, divisive, and controversial terms in our culture, including phrases like gaslighting, bothsidesism, dog-whistling, straw man arguments, and cancel culture, which often stir intense debates and highlight deep cultural divides. Words like false equivalence, virtue signaling, and echo chamber reflect the polarized nature of our modern world, often triggering or challenging those on either side of the political spectrum. You’ll also encounter terms like whataboutism, moral relativism, and false dichotomy, which are used to both undermine and defend opposing viewpoints. In addition to political jargon, this guide also covers lifestyle and fitness language such as keto, biohacking, and CrossFit, as well as terms from vegan and carnivore diets, showing how language is central not only to our politics but to the way we live and define ourselves. Whether you’re a casual social media user or deeply engaged in political or cultural debates, this guide offers a balanced, insightful look at how these words are used and perceived. Keep an open mind, as this guide explores the nuanced, sometimes heated language of modern discourse, touching on the sensitive, polarizing, and challenging realities of today’s cultural and political landscape.
14 Words: |
A white supremacist slogan: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children," often used as a rallying cry by neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups. |
1488: |
A combination of two neo-Nazi symbols: "14" refers to the 14 words slogan, and "88" represents "Heil Hitler." It is commonly used in white nationalist propaganda and tattoos. |
16 Words: |
A reference to a line from George W. Bush's 2003 State of the Union address that falsely claimed Iraq sought uranium from Africa. This line became central to the debate over the credibility of the intelligence leading to the invasion. |
3D-Printed Housing: |
The use of large-scale 3D printing technologies to rapidly construct homes and buildings, potentially providing low-cost, sustainable housing solutions for growing populations. |
404 (Not Found): |
A common error message when a webpage can’t be found, now also used in slang to refer to confusion or lack of knowledge. |
5D Consciousness: |
A modern spiritual concept referring to a "higher dimension" of existence or consciousness, often described as a state of love, unity, and awareness beyond the limitations of the physical world. |
5G Conspiracy: |
The false belief that 5G technology is harmful to human health, often linked to discredited claims about radiation causing diseases or even controlling people's minds. |
5G: |
The fifth-generation mobile network technology that enables faster, more reliable internet connections, particularly for the IoT, smart cities, and high-bandwidth applications like virtual reality and autonomous vehicles. |
88: |
A numerical symbol used by neo-Nazis to represent "Heil Hitler," as H is the eighth letter of the alphabet. It is often used in white supremacist slogans and imagery. |
Ableism: |
Discrimination in favor of able-bodied people, often invoked in discussions about disability rights. |
Abolish the Police: |
A call to completely dismantle police departments and replace them with community-based alternatives focused on restorative justice. |
Abolition Democracy: |
A concept linked to modern abolition movements that emphasizes the need for a democratic society built on freedom from not only slavery or incarceration but also other forms of racial and economic oppression. |
Abolition: |
The movement to dismantle systems of oppression, particularly the prison industrial complex and police forces, in favor of community-based models of justice and safety. |
Abolitionism (Modern): |
A movement advocating for the abolition of police and prison systems, rooted in the belief that these institutions are inherently racist and unjust. It seeks alternative systems of justice based on restoration and healing. |
Abortion as Murder: |
A common belief among anti-abortion advocates, framing abortion as the intentional killing of an unborn child and equating it with homicide. |
Abortion Industry: |
A pejorative term used by anti-abortion advocates to suggest that abortion providers prioritize profit over the well-being of women or the protection of unborn life. |
Abortion on Demand: |
A term used by opponents to describe a legal framework in which abortions are available freely and without restrictions, often framed as irresponsible or unethical. |
Abortion Regret: |
The argument that many women experience profound regret or emotional trauma after having an abortion, used to support anti-abortion positions. |
Abortion Reversal: |
A controversial and medically disputed practice promoted by some anti-abortion groups, claiming that a medication abortion can be reversed after the first dose. |
Abu Ghraib: |
A U.S.-run prison in Iraq where detainees were tortured and abused by American soldiers. The images of abuse that surfaced became a major scandal and symbol of U.S. misconduct during the Iraq War. |
ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards): |
A slogan used by anti-police activists to express the belief that the police, as an institution, are inherently oppressive and violent. |
Academese: |
A mocking term used to describe academic jargon or language that is overly complex and difficult for ordinary people to understand. |
Academia as Echo Chamber: |
Criticizing the academic world as an insulated space where people reinforce each other’s ideas without engaging with opposing viewpoints or real-world concerns. |
Accelerationism: |
The belief that societal collapse or revolution should be accelerated through violent or extreme means, often invoked by extremist groups seeking to overthrow the government. |
Accountability: |
A term used by those who support investigations and prosecutions related to January 6th, arguing that the individuals involved must be held accountable for attacking democratic institutions. |
Active Measures: |
Covert operations used by intelligence services to influence political situations, often involving propaganda, disinformation, and psychological operations. |
Actor-President: |
A pejorative term referring to Zelenskyy’s former career as a comedian and actor, used by critics to suggest he lacks the experience or seriousness to lead. |
Ad Hoc Rescue: |
When a person makes up a new explanation to dismiss any valid criticism of their argument, without modifying the original argument itself. Example: "If this policy doesn't work, it's only because the media sabotaged it." |
Ad Hominem: |
Attacking the character or personal traits of an opponent rather than addressing their argument. Example: "You can't trust his opinion on climate change, he's not even a scientist." |
Ad Populum (Appeal to Popular Opinion): |
Arguing that something is true or good because the majority believe it or do it. Example: "Most people support this law, so it must be good." |
Adaptogens: |
Natural substances (like herbs) that are believed to help the body adapt to stress and restore balance, often used in alternative medicine and longevity practices. |
Adulting: |
Refers to the responsibilities and tasks associated with being an adult, often used humorously or mockingly. When used condescendingly, it implies that someone is struggling with basic responsibilities. |
Adventurist Diplomacy: |
A term used to criticize foreign policies that pursue risky or aggressive strategies, often seen as destabilizing or counterproductive in the long term. |
AF (As F*)**: |
A slang expression for emphasis, used to describe something in a superlative form (e.g., "I'm tired AF"). |
AfD (Alternative for Germany): |
A German right-wing populist party that advocates for anti-immigration policies, Euroscepticism, and the defense of German national identity. |
Affirmative Action: |
Policies designed to address past discrimination by providing greater opportunities for historically marginalized groups, particularly in education and employment. It is often politically controversial, with critics arguing it is a form of "reverse discrimination." |
Affirming the Consequent: |
A logical fallacy where one assumes that because a certain outcome has occurred, the initial condition must have been present. Example: "If it’s raining, the ground will be wet. The ground is wet, so it must be raining." |
AFK (Away From Keyboard): |
A term used in online games, chatrooms, or IRC to indicate that the user is temporarily unavailable. |
Afro-Pessimism: |
A theoretical framework that views anti-Blackness as a foundational and permanent structure of modern societies, with Black people perpetually positioned as socially and politically excluded. |
Afrofuturism: |
A cultural and artistic movement that envisions Black futures through the lens of science fiction, technology, and liberation, often reimagining historical narratives and challenging existing racial hierarchies. |
Agent Handler: |
The person responsible for directing and managing a spy or intelligence asset, maintaining communication, and overseeing operations. |
Agent Provocateur: |
A person who infiltrates a group to incite them into illegal or violent activities, often to discredit or entrap them. |
Agitprop (Agitation Propaganda): |
Political propaganda, especially from a leftist perspective, aimed at stirring up the public’s emotions and encouraging activism or rebellion. |
AI as Oracle: |
A critique of the belief that artificial intelligence can offer perfect solutions to complex human problems, often treating AI like a modern-day oracle whose decisions are unquestionable. |
AI Singularity: |
The theoretical future point where AI reaches a level of intelligence that far surpasses human abilities, leading to unpredictable and potentially transformative changes. |
AI Supremacy: |
The belief that artificial intelligence is superior to human decision-making in every context, often leading to an over-reliance on AI to make moral, ethical, or societal choices. |
AIDS Epidemic Inaction: |
A major criticism of Reagan’s presidency, especially from the LGBTQ+ community, is his administration’s slow response to the AIDS epidemic. Critics argue this inaction led to thousands of unnecessary deaths, while defenders claim the crisis wasn’t fully understood at the time. |
AIDS Epidemic Neglect: |
Critics accuse Reagan of ignoring the AIDS crisis during the early years of the epidemic, leading to unnecessary deaths and suffering. |
Akashic Healing: |
A modern practice claiming to heal past life traumas by accessing the Akashic Records and releasing blockages that may affect the current life. |
Alarmism: |
A critique used by climate change deniers to argue that the environmental movement exaggerates the threats posed by climate change to push radical political or economic changes. |
Algorithmic Absolutism: |
The belief that algorithms can provide perfect solutions to societal problems, often ignoring the ethical and human dimensions of governance and decision-making. |
Algorithmic Accountability: |
A call for transparency and ethical standards in the development and deployment of algorithms, especially those that affect critical decisions like hiring, law enforcement, and healthcare. |
Algorithmic Bias: |
The idea that algorithms used by tech companies can perpetuate or even exacerbate existing biases, particularly around race, gender, and class. |
Algorithmic Censorship: |
The use of algorithms to automatically suppress, promote, or censor content on platforms like social media, often without human oversight. |
Algorithmic Curation: |
The process of platforms using algorithms to decide what content users see. While useful for personalizing feeds, it can also suppress or elevate certain content, which may lead to accusations of censorship or bias. |
Algorithmic Deism: |
The belief that algorithms and artificial intelligence have the ability to act as god-like decision-makers, often criticized for their lack of moral and ethical reasoning. |
Algorithmic Determinism: |
The belief that algorithms and data-driven models can predict or determine human behavior with high accuracy, often criticized for reducing complex human experiences to mere numbers or patterns. |
Algorithmic Discrimination: |
The idea that algorithms can perpetuate or amplify existing biases (e.g., racial or gender bias) through their design or data inputs, often discussed in tech ethics. |
Algorithmic God: |
A term used to describe the over-reliance on algorithms as all-knowing decision-makers, often treating them as infallible entities that can perfectly manage society, often at the expense of human agency. |
Algorithmic Governance: |
The use of algorithms and artificial intelligence to make decisions or enforce rules in governance, sometimes critiqued for being opaque and unaccountable. |
Algorithmic Manipulation: |
The use of algorithms by tech companies to influence what content is seen by users, potentially shaping political discourse or consumer behavior. |
Algorithmic Omniscience: |
The belief that algorithms and artificial intelligence can understand and predict everything, often criticized for being overly optimistic and disregarding the limitations of technology. |
Algorithmic Rationalism: |
The belief that algorithms can provide rational solutions to all societal problems, often disregarding the ethical, cultural, and human factors that cannot be easily quantified. |
Algorithmic Supremacy: |
The belief that algorithms and machine learning can outperform human judgment in all contexts, often criticized for lacking awareness of the biases that can be built into such systems. |
Algorithmic Theocracy: |
The belief that algorithms should or will govern all aspects of human life, often criticized for being a dehumanizing or overly deterministic view of society. |
Algorithmic Totalitarianism: |
The fear or critique that algorithms, AI, and data-driven decision-making will lead to a form of governance that ignores human values, ethics, and emotions, prioritizing efficiency over humanity. |
Alienation: |
A Marxist concept describing how workers become disconnected from the products of their labor, their work, and their fellow humans in a capitalist system that prioritizes profit over human needs. |
All Lives Matter: |
A counter-slogan to "Black Lives Matter," often used to downplay the specific issues of anti-Black racism, suggesting that focusing on Black lives is divisive. |
Alliance Builder: |
NATO is seen as a key platform for building alliances between democratic nations, promoting security cooperation and military readiness. |
Allied Cooperation: |
The idea that nations should build and maintain alliances to tackle common challenges, such as security threats or economic instability, opposing isolationist rhetoric. |
Allyship: |
The practice of individuals from privileged groups working to support the efforts of marginalized groups in fighting oppression, often in the context of race. |
Alpha Male: |
A term associated with Tate’s promotion of male dominance and success, often used to describe strong, assertive men. |
Alpha vs. Beta: |
A common dichotomy in Red Pill ideology, where "alpha males" are seen as dominant and desirable, while "beta males" are submissive and unsuccessful, especially with women. |
Alt-Account (Alt): |
An alternate account used by users to post anonymously, experiment with different personas, or participate in separate communities. |
Alt-Right: |
A far-right movement that includes white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and other extremists who promote racism, anti-Semitism, and misogyny, often under the guise of nationalism or traditionalism. |
Alternative Facts: |
A phrase coined by Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway in 2017, used by critics to describe the administration’s promotion of misinformation or disinformation. |
Alternative Media Grifter: |
A term used to describe individuals like Curry who profit from alternative media by tapping into distrust of mainstream institutions, with critics suggesting he exploits this distrust for financial gain. |
Alternative Medicine: |
A range of practices that are claimed to have healing effects but lack empirical evidence. Critics often dismiss certain alternative medicines as pseudoscience. |
Ambient Intelligence: |
A vision of environments where technology is seamlessly integrated into everyday life, with devices and systems responding to the presence and needs of individuals automatically and intuitively. |
Ambiguity Fallacy (Equivocation): |
Using a word or phrase with multiple meanings in an argument, switching between those meanings to mislead. Example: "The sign said ‘fine for parking here,’ so I assumed parking here was fine." |
America First Advocate: |
Populist right figures are praised for putting national interests, especially the interests of the working class, ahead of globalist or elite agendas. |
America First Champion: |
Trump is praised for his "America First" policies, which prioritize American workers, industries, and national interests over globalist agendas. |
America First: |
A slogan and policy framework championed by Trump, focusing on U.S. economic and political interests above those of other nations. Supporters see it as patriotic, while critics argue that it promotes isolationism and damages international relations. |
American Exceptionalism: |
Neoconservatives champion the idea that the U.S. has a unique role to play in leading the world, particularly in spreading freedom and democracy. |
American Imperialism: |
A term used by critics to describe the U.S.’s foreign interventions, military presence abroad, and influence over global politics and economics. |
Amicus Curiae: |
Literally "friend of the court," referring to someone who is not a party to a case but who assists the court by offering information or expertise. |
AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible): |
A type of workout in which participants aim to complete as many rounds of a set of exercises as possible within a given time frame. |
Anabolic State: |
A metabolic state where the body builds muscle tissue, often associated with strength training and eating a high-protein diet. |
Analysis Paralysis: |
The criticism that over-analyzing something can lead to inaction or indecisiveness, often used against intellectuals who are seen as more interested in theory than practical solutions. |
Anarchism: |
A political philosophy that advocates for the abolition of the state, capitalism, and hierarchies in favor of decentralized, voluntary associations. |
Anchoring Bias: |
Relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions or forming opinions. |
Ancient Aliens Theory: |
A pseudoscientific theory suggesting that extraterrestrials have visited Earth in the past and influenced human history, often lacking credible evidence. |
Annexation of Crimea: |
A term referring to Russia’s 2014 seizure of Crimea from Ukraine. Viewed as illegal by most of the international community but justified by Russia as returning historically Russian land. |
Anonymizer: |
Early tools used to browse the internet anonymously, typically by routing traffic through proxy servers to hide the user’s IP address. |
Anthropocentrism: |
The belief that human beings are the central or most important entities in the universe, often criticized in environmental and animal rights debates as contributing to ecological destruction. |
Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW): |
The theory that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are causing the Earth’s climate to warm, leading to severe environmental consequences. |
Anti-American Socialists: |
Some opponents accuse the Squad of harboring anti-American sentiments, particularly due to their critiques of U.S. foreign policy and capitalism. |
Anti-American: |
Some critics argue that the UN is biased against the United States and Israel, particularly in its voting patterns in the General Assembly and the actions of the Human Rights Council. |
Anti-Authoritarianism: |
A belief central to Satanic and Luciferian philosophies that rejects the control or domination of religious and political authorities over personal autonomy. |
Anti-Blackness in Non-Black POC Communities: |
This term highlights the specific ways that anti-Black attitudes and behaviors manifest in communities of color that are not Black, such as through colorism, internalized racism, or social hierarchies that privilege lighter skin. |
Anti-Blackness: |
The specific form of racism that targets Black people, often manifesting as a societal devaluation or marginalization of Black lives and experiences. |
Anti-Business Ideologue: |
Critics claim that populist left figures are hostile to business and economic growth, advocating for policies that stifle entrepreneurship and innovation. |
Anti-Business: |
Critics claim that Walz’s policies, particularly his stance on environmental regulation and labor rights, create a hostile environment for businesses in Minnesota. |
Anti-Capitalism: |
A broad ideology that opposes capitalism and advocates for systems such as socialism, communism, or anarchism, which prioritize collective ownership and equity. |
Anti-Colonialism: |
The movement opposing colonialism and imperialism, advocating for the independence and sovereignty of colonized nations. |
Anti-Colorism Activism: |
Movements aimed at challenging and dismantling colorism, particularly within communities of color. Colorism is seen as an internalized form of racism that privileges lighter skin over darker skin. |
Anti-Corporate Crusader: |
The populist left is admired for its opposition to corporate power, advocating for breaking up monopolies and limiting corporate influence in politics. |
Anti-Defamation: |
Efforts to protect individuals or groups from slander, libel, or damaging false statements. Critics sometimes view anti-defamation campaigns as tools to suppress legitimate criticism or free speech under the guise of protecting reputations. |
Anti-Democratic: |
Some critics argue that populist right movements are a threat to democracy, particularly in their attempts to undermine the free press, judiciary, and electoral systems. |
Anti-Elite: |
Both populist left and right are praised for opposing political and economic elites, advocating for policies that benefit ordinary people instead of the rich and powerful. |
Anti-Establishment Alarmist: |
Some critics claim that Curry tends to sensationalize and exaggerate threats posed by government and corporate power, contributing to an atmosphere of distrust and fear. |
Anti-Establishment Fighter: |
Trump’s disdain for traditional political norms and institutions is seen by his supporters as a refreshing break from "politics as usual." |
Anti-Establishment Hero: |
Populist right leaders are celebrated for challenging the political and economic elite, seen as corrupt and out of touch with ordinary people. |
Anti-Establishment Voice: |
A term used by supporters to highlight Vance’s opposition to both Republican and Democratic political elites, positioning him as a voice for the people. |
Anti-Establishment: |
Brand’s critiques of political elites and corporate power resonate with those who see him as a champion for the disenfranchised and marginalized. |
Anti-Family: |
A criticism that feminism undermines traditional family structures and roles, particularly through its advocacy for reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and gender fluidity. |
Anti-Feminist Backlash: |
A term used to describe the manosphere as a reactionary movement against feminism, driven by resentment and a desire to maintain traditional gender hierarchies. |
Anti-Globalist Conspiracist: |
The populist right is often criticized for promoting conspiracy theories about global elites, such as the idea of a "deep state" or a globalist agenda undermining national sovereignty. |
Anti-Globalist: |
A term used by those who oppose globalization, often associated with fears of losing national identity, jobs, and sovereignty to multinational corporations and international institutions. |
Anti-GMO: |
Opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) based on pseudoscientific claims about health risks, despite the broad scientific consensus that GMOs are safe for human consumption and beneficial in agriculture. |
Anti-Imperialism: |
A stance against colonialism and imperialism, often central to communist and Marxist movements, which view global capitalism as a driver of imperial exploitation. |
Anti-Imperialist Struggle: |
Refers to the efforts of colonized or oppressed nations to resist imperial control and achieve independence, often through political or military means. |
Anti-Intellectualism: |
A distrust of intellectuals or disdain for science and academia, often attributed to conservative attitudes towards higher education. |
Anti-Israel Extremists: |
Members of the Squad have been criticized for their stances on Israel and Palestine, with opponents accusing them of being overly critical of Israel or supporting anti-Semitic rhetoric. |
Anti-Racism: |
The active process of identifying and opposing racism, advocating for policies and practices that promote racial justice and equality. |
Anti-Racist Curriculum: |
An educational approach that incorporates the history and experiences of marginalized racial and ethnic groups, and actively works to challenge racist ideas and practices in education. |
Anti-Racist Pedagogy: |
An educational approach that seeks to challenge and address the ways in which racism manifests in the classroom, curriculum, and teaching practices. |
Anti-Realism: |
A critique of postmodernist thought that rejects the notion of a stable, external reality, arguing instead that postmodernism leads to skepticism about reality itself. |
Anti-Vaccine Activist: |
A label used by both supporters and critics to describe RFK Jr.’s long-standing opposition to vaccines, particularly in the context of Covid-19. |
Anti-Vaxxer: |
A derogatory term used to describe someone who opposes vaccinations, often based on misinformation or distrust of government and medical authorities. |
Anti-War Hero: |
Gabbard’s opposition to U.S. military interventions is praised by supporters who view her as a principled voice against endless wars. |
Anti-Western Icon: |
A positive term for those who see Putin as standing up to Western hegemony and globalism, especially in countries that are skeptical of U.S. and NATO influence. |
Anti-White: |
A phrase used by those who claim that white people are being unfairly discriminated against or marginalized in society, often to dismiss or undermine discussions about systemic racism. |
Anti-Woke: |
Carlson is seen as a major voice against the "woke" agenda, promoting traditional values and critiquing progressive policies. |
Anti-Zionism: |
Opposition to Zionism, often linked to critiques of Israeli government policies toward Palestinians, but sometimes conflated with antisemitism. |
Antifa: |
A loose network of groups and individuals committed to opposing fascism and far-right ideologies, often through direct action. |
Antifragility: |
A concept introduced by Nassim Taleb, referring to systems that get stronger or more resilient when exposed to stress or shocks. Futurists use it to describe technologies or societal systems designed to thrive in volatile environments. |
Apartheid State: |
A term used by critics of Israel to describe its treatment of Palestinians, comparing it to South Africa’s apartheid regime. |
Apartheid Wall: |
A term used by pro-Palestinian activists to describe the Israeli separation barrier, which is seen as a tool of segregation and control. |
Apartheid: |
A term used to describe the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians, drawing parallels to the South African system of racial segregation. |
Apologist-in-Chief: |
A derogatory term used by critics, especially on the right, to describe Obama’s foreign policy, suggesting that he was too willing to apologize for American actions abroad. |
Appeal to Academia: |
Referring to academic consensus or authority as a way to shut down debate, often without presenting actual arguments or evidence. Example: "Well, the literature clearly supports this, so there’s nothing more to discuss." |
Appeal to Antiquity (Argumentum ad Antiquitatem): |
Arguing that something is better or true simply because it is old or traditional. Example: "This practice has been around for hundreds of years, so it must be good." |
Appeal to Authority: |
Arguing that something must be true because an authority or expert says it is, without presenting evidence. Example: "The president said this policy will work, so it must be good." |
Appeal to Complexity: |
Suggesting that because a topic is inherently complex, only experts or intellectuals can understand it fully, and dismissing anyone without the proper credentials. |
Appeal to Consequences: |
Arguing that a belief must be false or true based on whether accepting it would have bad or good consequences. Example: "If this policy is true, it would cause widespread panic, so it must not be true." |
Appeal to Emotion: |
Manipulating an emotional response in place of a logical argument, used to sway opinions without addressing the actual issue. |
Appeal to Extremes: |
Taking an argument to an extreme interpretation, making it seem absurd to invalidate the argument. Example: "If you believe in universal healthcare, why not just give everyone a mansion while you're at it?" |
Appeal to Fear (Argumentum ad Metum): |
Using fear to persuade an audience to accept an argument, rather than using logical reasoning. Example: "If we don’t pass this law, our society will collapse into chaos." |
Appeal to Fear: |
Using fear to persuade people to accept an argument, often without logical evidence. |
Appeal to Flattery: |
Using compliments or praise to manipulate someone into agreeing with a proposition or conclusion. Example: "I know you’re a very smart person, so you’ll obviously agree with this." |
Appeal to Force (Argumentum ad Baculum): |
Using threats or the possibility of force to make someone accept a conclusion. Example: "If you don’t agree with this policy, we’ll vote you out of office." |
Appeal to Hypocrisy (Tu Quoque): |
Discrediting an opponent’s argument by pointing out their failure to act consistently with their argument, without addressing the validity of the claim itself. Example: "You’re telling me to drive less, but you still use a car." |
Appeal to Hypocrisy: |
Pointing out inconsistencies in an opponent's behavior or argument without addressing the validity of the opponent's position (also known as Tu Quoque). |
Appeal to Ignorance (Argument from Ignorance): |
Claiming something is true because it hasn’t been proven false, or vice versa. Example: "You can’t prove ghosts don’t exist, so they must be real." |
Appeal to Ignorance: |
Arguing that something is true simply because it hasn’t been proven false (or vice versa). Example: "You can’t prove that climate change isn’t a hoax, so it must be." |
Appeal to Moderation (Middle Ground Fallacy): |
A fallacy that assumes the middle ground between two extremes is always the correct position, regardless of the actual merits of the arguments. |
Appeal to Motive: |
Attacking the motive of a person making an argument instead of the argument itself. Example: "You’re only arguing for this policy because you’ll benefit from it." |
Appeal to Nature: |
Arguing that something is good or right because it is natural, or bad because it is unnatural, without addressing the substance of the issue. |
Appeal to Novelty: |
Arguing that something must be better or true simply because it is new or modern. |
Appeal to Obscurity: |
Referring to little-known, obscure facts or concepts to make an argument sound more sophisticated or difficult to refute, without contributing actual substance. |
Appeal to Personal Incredulity: |
Rejecting a claim because one personally finds it hard to believe, even if the evidence supports it. Example: "I don’t understand how climate change works, so I don’t believe it’s real." |
Appeal to Pity (Argumentum ad Misericordiam): |
Attempting to win an argument by appealing to the opponent’s emotions rather than presenting logical reasons. Example: "If you don’t accept this policy, people will suffer!" |
Appeal to Pity: |
Manipulating emotions to make someone feel sympathy or guilt, rather than using logic to persuade. |
Appeal to Popularity (Bandwagon Fallacy): |
Arguing that something must be true or right because it is popular or widely believed. |
Appeal to Postmodernism: |
Invoking postmodern theories to suggest that nothing is truly objective or real, undermining the opponent’s entire argument by claiming that all viewpoints are equally valid or invalid. |
Appeal to Ridicule (Horse Laugh): |
Mocking or ridiculing an argument rather than addressing it seriously. Example: "Oh, so you think we should spend more on education? Hah! That’s hilarious." |
Appeal to Sophistication: |
Using complex jargon or theories to make an argument sound more intellectually advanced, dismissing simpler or more straightforward arguments as "unsophisticated." |
Appeal to the Stone (Argumentum ad Lapidem): |
Dismissing an argument as absurd or ridiculous without providing evidence for why it is wrong. Example: "That’s just nonsense, no need to address it." |
Appeal to Tradition: |
Arguing that something is good or correct simply because it’s traditional or has always been done that way. Example: "We’ve always done things this way, so there’s no reason to change." |
Argument from Incredulity: |
Rejecting an argument because it seems implausible or hard to understand, rather than based on the evidence. |
Argument from Repetition (Argumentum ad Nauseam): |
Repeating an argument or claim so frequently that people begin to believe it, even if it lacks evidence. Example: "This idea has been repeated enough times, so it must be true." |
Argument from Silence (Argumentum ex Silentio): |
Assuming that because no one has spoken out or provided evidence against a claim, it must be true. Example: "No one has ever provided evidence that the moon landing was faked, so that means it probably was." |
Armchair Theorist: |
Someone who develops theories without practical experience, often used dismissively to suggest that the person’s ideas are irrelevant or unrealistic. |
Armed Citizenry as a Check on Tyranny: |
The argument that an armed population is necessary to prevent government tyranny, based on the idea that governments are less likely to oppress a well-armed citizenry. |
Artificial Consciousness: |
The idea of creating machines or AI systems that possess consciousness or self-awareness, raising deep ethical and philosophical questions about the rights of machines. |
Artificial Emotional Intelligence (AEI): |
The development of AI systems capable of understanding, interpreting, and responding to human emotions, improving human-machine interactions in fields like healthcare, education, and customer service. |
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): |
The concept of a machine with the ability to perform any intellectual task that a human can, often referred to as "strong AI" or "full AI." |
Artificial Scarcity: |
The intentional creation of scarcity by companies or governments to maintain high prices or control over resources, often critiqued in the context of intellectual property or natural resources. |
Artificial Superintelligence (ASI): |
A level of artificial intelligence that surpasses human intelligence in every respect, capable of performing any task better than humans, often associated with potential risks or transformative societal impacts. |
Artificial Wombs: |
The development of technologies that allow for gestation outside the human body, potentially revolutionizing reproduction and addressing issues related to infertility or maternal health. |
Aryan: |
A term used by white supremacists to describe people of Northern European descent, often used to promote the idea of racial purity and superiority. |
Ascended Masters: |
Spiritual beings believed to have achieved enlightenment and ascended beyond the physical world, often invoked in New Age spirituality to offer guidance. |
Ascension: |
A spiritual belief that humanity is evolving to a higher level of consciousness or awareness, often described as a shift from 3D (third-dimensional) to 5D (fifth-dimensional) living. |
ASCII Art: |
Graphics or designs created using characters from the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) character set, common in early BBS, IRC, and email communities. |
Assault Weapons Ban: |
A policy proposal aimed at prohibiting the sale, manufacture, or possession of certain types of firearms, particularly those deemed to be assault weapons. |
Assault Weapons: |
A term used to describe semi-automatic firearms with military-style features, often targeted by gun control advocates who argue they are unnecessary for civilian use. |
Asset: |
A person within an organization or country who provides intelligence or assistance to a spy or intelligence agency. |
Assimilationism: |
The belief or expectation that racial or ethnic minorities should abandon their cultural practices and identities to conform to the dominant culture. It is often criticized for promoting the erasure of cultural diversity. |
Association Fallacy: |
Guilt or virtue by association; assuming that qualities of one person or group must also apply to another person or group simply because of their association. Example: "This politician is bad because they were seen with a criminal." |
Asteroid Deflection Technology: |
Future technologies aimed at preventing catastrophic asteroid impacts by deflecting or destroying incoming space objects, ensuring planetary defense and safety. |
Astral Projection: |
The belief that the soul or consciousness can leave the physical body and travel to different realms or dimensions, also known as an "out-of-body experience." |
Astrobiology: |
The study of life beyond Earth, often involving the search for extraterrestrial organisms or the exploration of conditions necessary for life on other planets. |
Astrology: |
A belief system suggesting that the positions of the stars and planets can influence human life, which lacks any scientific evidence but persists as a pseudoscientific practice. |
Astroturfing: |
The practice of creating fake grassroots movements or organizations that appear to be driven by the public, but are actually backed by powerful interests. |
Asymmetric Warfare: |
Conflict between two parties where one side has significant advantages in terms of military strength, and the weaker side uses unconventional tactics. |
Atheism as a Belief System: |
A critique suggesting that atheism, despite rejecting religious belief, functions as a belief system with its own dogmas and practices. |
Atheist Activism: |
Efforts by atheists to promote secularism, challenge religious influence in society, and advocate for the rights and acceptance of non-believers. |
Atheist Arrogance: |
A critique that atheists believe they are intellectually superior to religious believers, often implying that atheism is condescending toward faith. |
Atheist Fundamentalism: |
A term used by religious critics to suggest that some atheists are as dogmatic and intolerant in their rejection of religion as religious fundamentalists are in their faith. |
Atheist Rights: |
The rights of individuals to reject religion and be free from discrimination based on atheism or non-belief, often advocated for in secular movements. |
Attachment Style: |
A concept from attachment theory in psychology, used to describe how people form relationships. It’s sometimes used condescendingly to explain someone’s behavior without considering the complexity of relationships. |
Augmented Intelligence: |
A concept where technology enhances human intelligence rather than replacing it, focusing on human-machine collaboration for decision-making and problem-solving. |
Augmented Reality (AR): |
A technology that overlays digital content onto the real world, typically through devices like smartphones or AR glasses. It’s often used in gaming, navigation, and training simulations. |
Aura: |
The energy field that supposedly surrounds all living beings. Spiritualists claim to be able to "read" or interpret a person’s aura to understand their emotional and spiritual state. |
Austerity Advocate: |
Neoliberals are often criticized for promoting austerity measures that reduce social safety nets and public services, disproportionately harming vulnerable populations. |
Autarky: |
The idea of a nation being economically self-sufficient and independent from international trade, often associated with isolationist economic policies. |
Authoritarian Enabler: |
Neoconservatives are sometimes accused of supporting authoritarian regimes that align with U.S. interests, particularly in the Middle East, undermining their claims to promote democracy. |
Authoritarian Socialism: |
A critique of communist regimes, arguing that they inevitably lead to authoritarian control, where the state has unchecked power over individuals. |
Authoritarian: |
Detractors argue that populist right figures embrace authoritarian tactics, including undermining democratic norms and institutions to maintain power. |
Authoritarianism: |
A political system in which a single leader or party holds all power, with limited political freedom and often extensive use of propaganda, censorship, and state control to maintain authority. |
Automation: |
The use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, particularly in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and even healthcare. This trend is often associated with future job displacement. |
Autonomous Systems: |
Machines or devices that operate without human intervention, such as self-driving cars, drones, and robotic process automation. These systems rely heavily on AI, machine learning, and sensor technologies. |
Autonomous Zone: |
An area or space, often established by protesters, where they reject the authority of the state and create self-governing structures. |
Autophagy: |
A natural process where the body removes damaged cells and regenerates healthier ones, often touted as a benefit of fasting, keto, and low-carb diets. |
Availability Heuristic: |
Basing judgments on information that is most readily available, often leading to faulty conclusions. |
Awakening to Truth: |
A term used by Red Pill proponents to describe the process of seeing the "truth" about gender dynamics, societal expectations, and male empowerment, often in opposition to feminist perspectives. |
Axis of Evil: |
A phrase coined by President George W. Bush in 2002 to describe governments he accused of sponsoring terrorism and seeking WMDs, specifically Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. This term was used to justify U.S. interventionist policies. |
Axis of Resistance: |
A term used by pro-Iranian groups to describe Iran’s role in opposing U.S. and Israeli influence in the Middle East, including support for groups like Hezbollah. |
Backchannel Communication: |
Secret or informal communications between governments or parties, often conducted to avoid public scrutiny. |
Backchannel Negotiations: |
Secret or informal negotiations between governments or parties, typically to explore potential agreements without public pressure. |
Backfire Effect: |
When people strengthen their pre-existing beliefs after being presented with contradictory evidence, making rational debate difficult. |
Background Checks: |
The process of reviewing an individual’s criminal and mental health history before allowing them to purchase a firearm, often cited as a necessary measure to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining guns. |
Bae: |
A term of endearment that stands for "before anyone else," commonly used on social media and texting to refer to a romantic partner or loved one. |
Bailout: |
Refers to government financial assistance to failing businesses or industries, often criticized for benefiting corporations at the expense of taxpayers, while defended as necessary to prevent economic collapse. |
Balance Bias: |
The tendency in media to give equal weight to opposing views in the name of balance, even when one side is not supported by facts, often leading to misinformation or confusion. |
Balance of Power: |
A theory in international relations that national security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so that no one nation is strong enough to dominate all others. |
Balkanization: |
A critique of identity politics that argues it fragments society into small, competing factions based on race, gender, or other identities, weakening national unity. |
Bandwagon Effect: |
The tendency to adopt a belief because many others hold it, regardless of its validity. Example: "Everyone’s supporting this policy, so I should too." |
Bandwagon Fallacy (Appeal to Popularity): |
Arguing that something is true or right because many people believe it or do it. Example: "Everyone I know agrees that this policy is terrible, so it must be bad." |
Banhammer: |
A metaphorical term for banning someone from an online forum, chat room, or social media platform, often used humorously to describe moderators enforcing rules. |
Baphomet: |
A symbol often associated with modern Satanism, representing the balance between opposites (e.g., male/female, light/dark) and the rejection of traditional religious dualities. |
Barrier Breaker: |
Harris is praised for being the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian woman to hold the office of Vice President, representing a historic achievement in diversity. |
Based: |
A term used to describe someone or something that is unapologetically standing for conservative, nationalist, or far-right values, often in opposition to mainstream political correctness. |
Basic: |
Used to describe someone or something as unoriginal, mainstream, or lacking depth. It's often used condescendingly to suggest that someone is predictable or uninspired. |
Bathroom Bills: |
Laws that seek to restrict transgender individuals’ access to public restrooms that align with their gender identity, often framed as protecting privacy or safety. |
BBS (Bulletin Board System): |
An early form of online community where users dialed in via modems to share messages, files, and discussions. Precursor to modern forums. |
BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions): |
A global movement advocating for economic pressure on Israel to end its policies toward Palestinians. Seen as a form of activism by supporters and as antisemitic by critics. |
Begging the Question (Circular Reasoning): |
The argument's conclusion is assumed in the premise, leading to circular logic that doesn't actually prove anything. Example: "Freedom is good because people should be free." |
Behavioral Modification: |
Techniques or strategies used to change or control individuals' actions, often linked to efforts by governments or institutions to control populations. |
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): |
China’s global development strategy aimed at building infrastructure in developing countries. Praised for fostering development, but criticized as “debt-trap diplomacy.” |
Ben Franklin Effect: |
Convincing people to like you by having them do you a favor, based on cognitive dissonance theory. This is sometimes used to frame cooperation or alignment on debates. |
Benevolent Empire: |
A term used to describe imperial powers that frame their expansion as a force for good, improving the lives of colonized people through governance, education, and infrastructure. |
Benghazi Scandal: |
A term used by critics of Clinton to refer to the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Clinton, as Secretary of State, was accused of mishandling the situation and being responsible for the deaths of U.S. personnel. |
Benghazi: |
Refers to the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Critics of Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accuse the administration of mishandling the situation and misleading the public about its causes. |
Beta Male: |
A term used to describe men who are perceived as passive, weak, or overly emotional, often in contrast to the far-right’s ideal of a "strong" or "alpha" male. |
Bias Blind Spot: |
The tendency to recognize biases in others while being blind to one's own biases. |
Bias Interrupters: |
Tools or strategies designed to disrupt bias in the workplace by changing organizational practices, such as how hiring, promotions, or feedback are handled, in order to create a more equitable environment. |
Big Agra: |
Similar to "Big Pharma," this term is used in conspiracy theories to accuse large agricultural companies of prioritizing profit over public health, often linked to concerns about GMOs and pesticides. |
Big Brother: |
A figurehead representing government surveillance and control, symbolizing oppressive state monitoring and loss of individual freedoms. |
Big Data Hype: |
The belief that massive datasets can explain or solve any problem, criticized for overestimating the role of data in human decision-making and neglecting the ethical implications of data use. |
Big Data Messiah Complex: |
A term used to criticize the belief that big data will solve all societal and moral problems, often overlooking the ethical dilemmas and power dynamics inherent in the collection and use of data. |
Big Data-Driven Society: |
A society where decisions, policies, and individual actions are increasingly guided by the analysis of massive amounts of data, often leveraging AI to make sense of complex information. |
Big Data: |
Refers to the vast quantities of data generated in the digital age, often analyzed to find patterns and used for decision-making in business, government, and technology. |
Big Government Advocate: |
Detractors argue that the populist left’s desire for increased government intervention in healthcare, education, and the economy leads to an overreliance on the state. |
Big Government Liberal: |
Detractors accuse Walz of promoting expansive government programs and overregulation, particularly in healthcare and environmental policy. |
Big Igloo: |
A playful variation of "boogaloo," used by adherents to evade censorship or detection on social media platforms. |
Big Lie: |
A propaganda technique where a falsehood is repeated so often that it is accepted as truth. Critics of conspiracy theories argue that many operate on this principle. |
Big Luau: |
Another variation of "boogaloo," referencing Hawaiian shirts that have become a symbol of the Boogaloo movement, often worn at protests or demonstrations. |
Big Mood: |
A phrase used to express that something is highly relatable or representative of the speaker’s current feelings. |
Big Pharma as Priesthood: |
A critique of the pharmaceutical industry framed as having quasi-religious authority over health decisions, with "believers" placing absolute faith in pharmaceuticals as the solution to all health issues. |
Big Pharma: |
A term used to describe the pharmaceutical industry in a highly critical manner, often in conspiracy theories that accuse it of suppressing natural cures and alternative medicines for profit. |
Big Tech Messianism: |
The belief that major technology companies and their innovations will deliver humanity from its problems, often treating figures like tech CEOs as messianic or prophetic leaders. |
Bigot: |
Someone who is intolerant of differing beliefs or opinions, often used to describe conservative viewpoints seen as prejudiced or discriminatory. |
Bilateral Diplomacy: |
The conduct of diplomatic relations between two countries, often involving negotiations or treaties. |
Bilateral Relations: |
The political, economic, and cultural relations between two sovereign states. |
Binge-Watching: |
Refers to watching multiple episodes or even an entire season of a show in one sitting. When used critically, it can imply laziness or escapism. |
Bio-Determinism: |
The belief that all human behavior can be explained by biology and genetics, ignoring environmental, cultural, and psychological factors. Critics argue that this viewpoint reduces human complexity to mere biology. |
Biodegradable Electronics: |
Future electronic devices made from environmentally friendly materials that can naturally degrade over time, reducing the impact of electronic waste on the environment. |
Bioenergetics: |
A pseudoscientific belief in the manipulation of the body’s energy fields to promote healing or wellness. |
Biofabrication: |
The use of biological processes, like cellular or microbial growth, to manufacture materials, potentially creating more sustainable production methods for textiles, food, or even buildings. |
Biohacking Collectives: |
Groups of individuals working on DIY biology projects aimed at enhancing human capabilities, health, and longevity, often outside traditional scientific institutions. |
Biohacking: |
The practice of using DIY biology or technology to enhance the human body, either through implants, genetic modification, or external devices, often blurring the lines between human and machine. |
Bioinspired Robotics: |
Robotics designed to mimic biological systems or organisms, leading to more efficient, adaptable machines capable of operating in complex environments. |
Biological Realism: |
The belief that gender is rooted in biology and cannot be changed, often used to oppose transgender rights and recognition. |
Biological Sex: |
A term used by opponents of trans rights to argue that gender is fixed and determined by biology at birth, often in opposition to gender identity. |
Bioluminescent Lighting: |
The use of genetically engineered organisms or materials to create natural light without electricity, providing eco-friendly alternatives to traditional lighting systems. |
Biophilic Design: |
An architectural and design philosophy that seeks to integrate nature into the built environment, fostering better mental and physical well-being by incorporating natural elements like plants, water, and natural light. |
Biopolitics: |
A term used to describe the strategies and mechanisms through which human life processes are managed by regimes of authority over knowledge, power, and subjectivity. Often invoked to critique government control over bodies (e.g., healthcare, reproduction). |
Bioprinting: |
A technology that uses 3D printing techniques to create biological structures, such as tissues and organs, with the potential to revolutionize medicine and organ transplants. |
Biospheres: |
Large, closed ecological systems designed for human habitation, often envisioned for space colonization or as solutions for surviving in extreme environments on Earth. |
Biotechnology: |
The use of living organisms, cells, or biological systems to develop products or technologies, often for healthcare, agriculture, or environmental purposes. |
BIPOC: |
An acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, used to center and highlight the experiences of marginalized racial groups, particularly Black and Indigenous communities. |
Bipolarity: |
Refers to an international system dominated by two superpowers, such as the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War. Contrast with multipolarity (several major powers) or unipolarity (one dominant power). |
Birth Certificate: |
Central to the “birther” conspiracy theory, which falsely claimed that Obama was not born in the U.S. and was therefore ineligible to be president. This baseless theory was popularized by figures like Donald Trump. |
Black Bag Job: |
A covert or illegal break-in conducted by intelligence agents to gather information, usually involving surreptitious entry and theft or surveillance. |
Black Bloc: |
A protest tactic where individuals wear black clothing and masks to conceal their identities while engaging in direct action or confrontations with authorities. |
Black Budget: |
Secret government spending used to fund covert operations, intelligence gathering, and other activities that are not publicly disclosed. |
Black Helicopters: |
A term referring to a conspiracy theory that secretive government forces (often controlled by the UN or globalist elites) use black helicopters for covert operations against U.S. citizens. |
Black Lives Matter (BLM): |
A movement advocating for the end of systemic racism, police violence, and injustice against Black people. It has become a symbol of the broader racial justice movement. |
Black Propaganda: |
Propaganda that is designed to look like it comes from a different, often opposing source, to discredit the opponent or sow confusion. |
Black Site: |
A secret facility used by governments, particularly intelligence agencies, to detain and interrogate suspects outside of official legal oversight. |
Black Sites: |
Secret prisons operated by the CIA outside the U.S. where detainees were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques. These sites are heavily criticized by human rights organizations as centers of illegal torture. |
Blasphemy as Empowerment: |
The practice of using blasphemous symbols or language to assert personal freedom and challenge religious control, often embraced in Satanic rituals. |
Blasphemy: |
The act of insulting or showing contempt for religious symbols, beliefs, or deities, often used to criticize Satanic practices that challenge Christian norms. |
Blockchain Advocate: |
Curry is recognized for his early interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, seeing them as tools for decentralizing media and empowering individuals. |
Blockchain Revolution: |
A term used to describe the potential for blockchain technology (decentralized ledgers) to transform industries like finance, real estate, and supply chain management. |
Blockchain: |
A decentralized digital ledger technology that records transactions across many computers, often used to secure cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Its potential applications in industries like finance, healthcare, and supply chain management are widely discussed. |
Blood and Honor: |
A neo-Nazi slogan that refers to the preservation of racial purity ("blood") and the protection of a national or racial identity ("honor"). It is also the name of an international white supremacist music network. |
Blood and Soil: |
A Nazi slogan that emphasizes ethnicity based on both heritage (blood) and homeland (soil), often invoked by white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups. |
Blowback: |
The unintended negative consequences of interventionist foreign policies, particularly military actions, often used to argue against intervention. |
Blue Lives Matter: |
A countermovement to Black Lives Matter that focuses on supporting law enforcement officers. Critics argue that it ignores the systemic issues of police violence against communities of color and shifts the narrative away from police accountability. |
Blue State Tyranny: |
A term used by far-right groups to describe progressive or left-leaning states that impose stricter regulations, particularly on guns, taxes, or business, which they see as oppressive. |
Blue Zones: |
Areas of the world where people live significantly longer lives, often used as examples of longevity-promoting diets and lifestyles. |
Bodily Autonomy: |
The principle that individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, often used to argue for access to abortion. |
Body Autonomy: |
The feminist principle that individuals should have control over their own bodies, particularly in matters related to reproductive health, sexuality, and gender expression. |
Bold Visionaries: |
Supporters view the Squad as a force for systemic change, challenging both the Republican Party and the Democratic establishment with progressive ideas. |
Boog Bois: |
A slang term for members of the Boogaloo movement, often used humorously but with serious intentions about sparking or preparing for civil conflict. |
Boog: |
Short for "boogaloo," referring to the anticipated or desired second civil war. |
Boogaloo: |
A term used by a loosely organized anti-government extremist movement that seeks to incite a second civil war or revolution in the United States, often in opposition to perceived government tyranny. |
Book Burning: |
The literal or symbolic destruction of books, documents, or ideas considered dangerous or subversive by a regime or authority. |
Book Smart: |
Implies that someone has theoretical or academic knowledge but lacks practical, real-world understanding. |
Boomer: |
A term referring to Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964), often used in a derogatory or dismissive way by younger generations to criticize outdated or out-of-touch views (e.g., "OK, Boomer"). |
Bootlicker: |
A derogatory term often used by liberals to describe someone perceived as submissively supporting authority figures or the ruling class, often applied to conservatives. |
Bootstrapping Myth: |
The idea that anyone can succeed through hard work alone, often critiqued as ignoring systemic barriers like poverty and inequality. |
Border Security Advocate: |
Trump’s strong stance on immigration, particularly his efforts to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, resonates with supporters who prioritize national security and immigration control. |
Bot Detection: |
The identification and removal of automated accounts (bots) that spread misinformation or propaganda on social media platforms. Many organizations use algorithms to detect bots spreading disinformation. |
Bothsidesism: |
The practice of presenting two sides of an issue as equally valid, even when one side may be factually or ethically dubious, often criticized in media for creating false equivalence. |
Botnet: |
A network of compromised computers controlled by a hacker to carry out large-scale cyberattacks, such as spamming or DDoS attacks. |
Bots: |
Automated programs used to perform repetitive tasks, ranging from helpful chatbots to malicious bots used for spamming, hacking, or spreading misinformation. |
Boundaries Are Sexy: |
A pop psychology phrase encouraging people to set personal limits. While generally positive, it can be used condescendingly to imply that someone who doesn’t set boundaries is unattractive or emotionally incompetent. |
Boundaries: |
Refers to limits set to protect one’s emotional or physical space. When used condescendingly, it can imply someone is being overly rigid or unyielding in social or interpersonal settings. |
Bourgeoisie: |
The capitalist class that owns the means of production and exploits labor, considered the enemy in the Marxist theory of class struggle. |
Brain Emulation: |
The theoretical recreation of a human brain’s functionality in a digital medium, which could allow consciousness to exist in virtual environments or in a machine. |
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI): |
A technology that enables direct communication between the brain and external devices, such as computers or prosthetics, potentially revolutionizing fields like medicine, communication, and human augmentation. |
Brain-Machine Fusion: |
The direct integration of human brains with machines, allowing seamless control of external devices or sharing thoughts and sensory experiences with others. |
Brainwashing: |
Accusing intellectuals or academics of indoctrinating students or the public with certain ideologies, particularly in relation to left-wing or progressive viewpoints. |
Breadcrumbing: |
Leading someone on in a romantic or social context by giving them intermittent attention, without the intention of commitment. It’s often used dismissively to critique someone’s lack of emotional investment. |
Breadlines: |
A common critique of communist systems, referring to shortages of food and other necessities in centrally planned economies, often symbolizing the failure of communism to meet basic needs. |
Breadwinning Woman: |
A term to describe women who are the primary earners in their households. It’s often used in discussions of gender roles and can be condescending in certain contexts, implying a threat to traditional norms. |
Britain First: |
A British ultranationalist political movement that opposes immigration, Islam, and multiculturalism, often using provocative tactics to attract attention. |
Bro Split: |
A bodybuilding workout routine that focuses on training one muscle group per day (e.g., chest day, leg day), often criticized for being inefficient compared to full-body or compound training. |
Brush Pass: |
A quick exchange of information or items between operatives, often done in public to avoid detection. |
Brute Force Attack: |
A hacking technique that involves trying every possible combination of passwords until the correct one is found. |
Buff: |
A change to increase the power or effectiveness of a game element, the opposite of a nerf. |
Bulking: |
A phase in bodybuilding where the goal is to increase muscle mass by eating in a caloric surplus and performing strength training. |
Burden of Proof Fallacy: |
Shifting the burden of proof onto the opponent rather than justifying one’s own claim. Example: "Prove that climate change isn’t caused by natural processes." |
Burisma: |
The Ukrainian energy company where Hunter Biden served on the board, frequently cited by opponents of the Biden family as evidence of unethical foreign business dealings. |
Bush Doctrine: |
The foreign policy principle that justified preemptive strikes, particularly in Iraq, to prevent potential threats to U.S. security. Supporters saw it as a proactive stance against terrorism, while critics viewed it as an excuse for imperialism. |
Cackling Kamala: |
A mocking term used by her detractors, often pointing to her laugh in interviews as a sign of insincerity or dismissiveness. |
Caloric Restriction: |
The practice of reducing calorie intake without malnutrition, believed by some to extend lifespan and improve overall health. |
Cancel Culture: |
The phenomenon of boycotting or ostracizing individuals or institutions for offensive behavior or opinions, often criticized as a form of mob justice or suppression of free speech. |
Canceling: |
A shorthand for the practice of ostracizing individuals or companies for views or actions deemed unacceptable, often seen in the context of "cancel culture." |
Canuck: |
A colloquial term for Canadians, used affectionately by Canadians themselves but sometimes mockingly by others. |
Cap/No Cap: |
Cap means a lie, while "No Cap" indicates truth or honesty, often used in social media to assert that someone is being truthful or not. |
Capital Accumulation: |
The process by which capitalists amass wealth through reinvestment of profits, often seen as perpetuating inequality. |
Captcha: |
A challenge-response test used to determine whether the user is human or a bot, commonly used on websites to prevent automated spam or attacks. |
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): |
A future technology aimed at capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and storing them underground to mitigate climate change. |
Carbon Footprint: |
The total amount of greenhouse gases (particularly carbon dioxide) emitted directly or indirectly by human activities, a key concept in climate change mitigation. |
Carbon Nanotubes: |
Nanoscale cylindrical carbon structures with extraordinary strength and conductivity, often discussed in the context of advanced materials, electronics, and energy storage. |
Carbon Neutrality: |
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing emissions with carbon removal (e.g., through carbon capture technologies or reforestation) or by eliminating emissions altogether. |
Carbon Sequestration: |
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, seen as an essential method of mitigating climate change. |
Carbon Tax as Economic Burden: |
A criticism of policies like carbon taxes, arguing that they impose unfair economic burdens on industries and consumers without significantly addressing global emissions. |
Carbon Tax: |
A tax imposed on the carbon content of fuels, intended to reduce carbon emissions. Supported by environmentalists and some economists, but criticized by opponents as harmful to the economy and energy industries. |
Carceral State: |
A term used to describe the pervasive use of imprisonment, policing, and surveillance in maintaining social control, particularly in marginalized communities. |
Career Politician: |
A neutral or negative term used to describe Biden’s long tenure in politics, with critics using it to suggest he’s out of touch or beholden to the political establishment. |
Carnivore Diet: |
A diet that consists exclusively of animal products like meat, eggs, and fish, with zero plant-based foods, claiming to reduce inflammation and optimize health. |
Castle Doctrine: |
A legal principle that allows individuals to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves in their homes without retreating. |
Catabolic State: |
A metabolic state in which the body breaks down muscle tissue for energy, typically due to prolonged fasting or overtraining. |
Catfishing: |
Creating a fake online identity to deceive others, often in romantic or social contexts. |
Ceasefire: |
A term advocated by peace groups and some international bodies calling for an end to hostilities following the October 7th attack and the subsequent military actions by Israel. |
Celebrity President: |
A term used by detractors to describe Obama’s high public profile, global admiration, and numerous appearances in popular culture, implying that he prioritized fame over policy. |
Censorship and Surveillance State: |
A term used to criticize China’s authoritarian control over information, including internet censorship, and the surveillance of citizens. |
Censorship by Proxy: |
When private companies (such as social media platforms) are pressured or encouraged by governments to regulate or censor content on their platforms. |
Censorship: |
The restriction, removal, or control of speech, information, or ideas considered objectionable, harmful, or sensitive by authorities or organizations. It’s often debated in the context of balancing free speech and combating disinformation. |
Central Planning: |
A criticism of communist economies, where the government controls production and distribution, often portrayed as inefficient and prone to shortages and mismanagement. |
Centrism: |
A political ideology or stance that seeks a middle ground between extremes on the political spectrum, often criticized for avoiding tough moral stances or "playing it safe." |
Centrist Voice: |
Pool is seen as a centrist or moderate by his supporters, bridging the gap between left and right by criticizing both extremes. |
Chaffle: |
A keto-friendly waffle made from cheese and eggs, often used as a substitute for bread or waffles in low-carb diets. |
Chakras: |
Centers of spiritual power in the human body, often aligned with Eastern spiritual traditions. There are seven main chakras, each associated with a different energy type and part of the body. |
Champion of Free Markets: |
Western hegemony is associated with promoting free-market capitalism, which supporters argue has led to unprecedented levels of wealth creation and poverty reduction worldwide. |
Channeled Wisdom: |
Information or knowledge believed to be received from non-physical entities or higher beings, often passed through a spiritual medium or psychic. |
Channeling: |
The practice of communicating with non-physical entities or spirits through a medium, with messages purportedly coming from otherworldly or divine sources. |
Checkpoints: |
Military-controlled crossings within Palestinian territories, often cited by activists as symbols of oppression and restriction on Palestinian movement. |
Chemtrails: |
A conspiracy theory claiming that the contrails left by airplanes are actually chemicals deliberately sprayed to control the population, weather, or environment. |
Cherry Picking: |
Selecting only data or evidence that supports one’s argument while ignoring data that contradicts it. |
Chilling Effect: |
The discouragement of free speech and open discourse due to fear of legal repercussions, censorship, or social ostracism, often leading to self-censorship. |
China Threat: |
A phrase used by critics to describe the perceived economic, military, and technological threat posed by China to global stability and Western hegemony. |
Chivalry: |
A term sometimes used by anti-feminists to argue that traditional, protective behaviors toward women are devalued or rejected by modern feminism. |
Chosen Family: |
A term used in LGBTQ+ communities to describe close relationships with people who are not blood relatives but provide support, especially when biological families are not accepting. |
Christian Nation: |
The belief that the United States (or another country) was founded on Christian principles and should continue to reflect these values in its laws and institutions. |
Christian Nationalism: |
The belief that the United States should be governed as a Christian nation, often criticized by liberals as a threat to the separation of church and state. |
Chronological Snobbery: |
Dismissing something because it is old or outdated, without considering its value or relevance. Example: "That idea is from the 19th century, it has no place in modern science." |
CIA Ties: |
H.W. Bush’s past as the Director of the CIA was often used by critics to suggest that he was part of a shadowy global elite and involved in covert, undemocratic operations. |
Circadian Rhythm: |
The body’s internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and various biological processes, often emphasized in longevity practices for optimizing health. |
Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question): |
A logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed in one of the premises. Example: "God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is true because it's the word of God." |
Circular Reasoning: |
The conclusion of an argument is used as a premise to support itself, often making an argument seem valid without evidence. |
Cisgender: |
Refers to individuals whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth, often used in discussions about privilege and gender norms. |
Cisnormativity: |
The assumption that being cisgender (identifying with one’s birth gender) is the norm, often intersecting with discussions on how other forms of privilege, such as race, shape experiences of gender. |
Civic Virtue: |
The idea that individuals have a duty to participate in the public life of their society in a way that promotes the common good. |
Civil War 2: |
A phrase used by far-right and militia groups to refer to their belief in an inevitable second American civil war, often framed as a battle between freedom-loving patriots and a tyrannical government. |
Civility Politics: |
A critique of the idea that social justice movements should be "civil" or polite in order to be effective. It often dismisses the anger and frustration of marginalized communities, framing their activism as too aggressive or disruptive. |
Civilizing Mission: |
The idea that imperial powers have a moral duty to "civilize" the populations they colonize, often used as a justification for imperial expansion. |
Clandestine Operation: |
A secret military or intelligence operation aimed at achieving a goal without being detected. |
Clapback: |
A witty or sharp retort, often in response to criticism or an insult on social media. |
Class Action Lawsuit: |
A lawsuit filed by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group of people who are similarly situated. |
Class Consciousness: |
The awareness by the working class of their exploitation and oppression under capitalism, seen as a key step toward revolution. |
Class Envy: |
A term used by critics to describe the driving force behind communism, suggesting that resentment towards wealthier classes motivates redistribution policies. |
Class Reductionism: |
A term used by opponents of identity politics, suggesting that focusing on class issues, rather than race, gender, or other identities, would more effectively address systemic inequalities. |
Class Struggle: |
A core Marxist concept referring to the conflict between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class), viewed as the driving force behind historical change. |
Class Warfare Promoter: |
Critics accuse the populist left of fostering division by pitting the working class against the wealthy, promoting policies they see as punitive toward success. |
Class Warfare: |
A term used by critics to describe efforts by communists and socialists to create division between economic classes, often seen as inciting social conflict. |
Class-Based Politics: |
Critics of identity politics may advocate for class-based politics, arguing that class struggle, rather than identity, should be the primary focus of efforts to create equality and justice. |
Clean Meat (Cultured Meat): |
Meat produced in laboratories from animal cells, providing a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional livestock farming, with the potential to drastically reduce environmental impact. |
Cleansing: |
The practice of energetically cleansing spaces or people, often with sage (smudging), crystals, or other rituals to remove negative energy or spiritual impurities. |
Clickbait Creator: |
Pool is often criticized for sensationalizing news or issues to attract viewers, with detractors accusing him of chasing clicks rather than providing nuanced analysis. |
Clickbait: |
Sensational or misleading headlines and thumbnails designed to entice users to click on a link or article, often resulting in disappointment when the content doesn’t match the hype. |
Climate Champion: |
A phrase used by environmental advocates to praise Biden’s climate policies and efforts to combat global warming, including rejoining the Paris Agreement. |
Climate Change Leader: |
The WEF’s emphasis on addressing climate change is seen as forward-thinking, with initiatives like the Great Reset aimed at building a more sustainable global economy. |
Climate Crisis: |
A term used by activists and scientists to describe the urgent and accelerating impacts of climate change, emphasizing the need for immediate action. |
Climate Denialism: |
The rejection of the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change, often attributed to conservative ideologies. |
Climate Denier: |
Detractors accuse the populist right of rejecting the scientific consensus on climate change, often framing their environmental policies as regressive and harmful. |
Climate Destroyer: |
Western hegemony is often blamed for exacerbating climate change, as industrialized Western nations are historically the largest contributors to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. |
Climate Emergency: |
A declaration or acknowledgment that immediate, drastic action is required to combat the effects of climate change, often leading to policy changes or protests. |
Climate Engineering (Geoengineering): |
Technologies that aim to deliberately alter the Earth’s climate to mitigate the effects of global warming, such as solar radiation management or carbon dioxide removal. |
Climate Hypocrites: |
Critics argue that many of the Davos attendees preach climate action while living lavish, carbon-intensive lifestyles, undermining their calls for sustainability. |
Climate Justice: |
A movement that highlights the disproportionate effects of climate change on marginalized and vulnerable populations, advocating for policies that address both environmental and social justice issues. |
Climate Mitigation: |
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases in order to slow the pace of global warming, often through renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon sequestration. |
Climate Refuge Cities: |
The idea that future cities will be designed to accommodate populations displaced by climate change, with advanced technologies managing resources, energy, and infrastructure for resilience. |
Climate Refugees: |
People who are forced to leave their homes due to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, or droughts. |
Climate Saboteur: |
Trump’s policies on deregulating environmental protections and his withdrawal from international climate agreements are viewed as sabotaging global climate efforts. |
Climate Skepticism: |
The belief or claim that the evidence for anthropogenic climate change is either overstated, flawed, or entirely fabricated, often associated with opposition to climate change policies. |
Climategate: |
Refers to a 2009 controversy involving leaked emails from climate scientists, used by climate change skeptics to claim that climate data had been manipulated, despite subsequent investigations finding no wrongdoing. |
Climatic Variability: |
Used by skeptics to suggest that changes in climate are natural and cyclical, rather than driven by human activity, undermining the case for urgent climate action. |
Clinton Body Count: |
A conspiracy theory that alleges that individuals associated with the Clintons who died under mysterious circumstances were deliberately killed to protect the Clintons from scandal or exposure. This theory has been widely debunked but remains popular in certain circles. |
Clinton Foundation: |
A charitable organization founded by Bill Clinton, praised by supporters for its global humanitarian efforts but criticized by detractors for alleged pay-to-play schemes involving foreign donations and political favors. |
Clinton Kill List: |
A conspiracy theory that alleges Hillary and Bill Clinton are responsible for the deaths of numerous political enemies and people who could expose them. No credible evidence supports these claims. |
Cloak and Dagger: |
A term used to describe secretive espionage activities or intrigue, often involving deception and danger. |
Cloud Computing: |
The delivery of computing services (servers, storage, databases, networking, software) over the internet, enabling faster innovation and flexible resources, often on a pay-as-you-go basis. |
Clout Chaser: |
A person who seeks fame or popularity, often by associating with high-profile people or trends. The term is often used dismissively to imply inauthenticity. |
Clout Chasing: |
The act of doing something (posting, commenting, etc.) online specifically to gain attention, followers, or influence, often perceived as inauthentic or opportunistic. |
Clout: |
Online social capital or status; someone with "clout" has influence or credibility on social media platforms, often used in the context of people seeking attention or fame. |
Clown Pepe: |
A version of the "Pepe the Frog" meme wearing a clown outfit, used by alt-right groups to mock perceived absurdity in liberal or leftist politics. |
Clown World: |
A term used by far-right groups to describe a world or society that they see as absurdly corrupt or degenerate, often pointing to perceived moral or cultural decay. |
Code Switching: |
When individuals adjust their language, behavior, or appearance to adapt to different social or cultural environments, often mentioned in discussions on race and identity. |
Code-Switching: |
The practice of altering one's language, behavior, or appearance to fit in with the dominant culture, often employed by people of color in predominantly white spaces. |
Codependent: |
Refers to a person who is overly reliant on another for emotional or psychological support. In pop psychology, it can be used to dismiss someone’s efforts to maintain a relationship as unhealthy or obsessive. |
Coercive Control: |
A pattern of behavior that involves controlling a person through fear, threats, and manipulation, often used to describe authoritarian governments or regimes. |
Coercive Diplomacy: |
The use of threats or limited military force to persuade another nation to change its behavior or policies. |
Cognitive Bias in Science: |
While science seeks objectivity, the belief in science as an infallible truth often ignores the cognitive biases that influence research, such as confirmation bias, selection bias, or funding bias. |
Cognitive Bias: |
Refers to systematic patterns of deviation from rationality in judgment, often used to explain why people may hold irrational or incorrect beliefs despite evidence to the contrary. |
Cognitive Dissonance in Racial Discourse: |
The psychological conflict experienced when individuals confront evidence of their own racial biases or complicity in systemic racism, leading to discomfort, defensiveness, or denial. |
Cognitive Dissonance: |
A psychological term describing the discomfort experienced when a person holds two conflicting beliefs or when their actions contradict their values, often cited in political arguments. |
Cognitive Enhancement: |
The use of technology, drugs, or other interventions to improve cognitive abilities such as memory, focus, or intelligence, with potential ethical implications. |
Cognitive Load: |
Refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in working memory, often cited in discussions about decision-making, education, and media consumption. |
Cointelpro: |
A series of covert, and at times illegal, FBI projects aimed at surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting, and disrupting domestic political organizations. |
Cold Thermogenesis: |
The practice of exposing the body to cold temperatures (e.g., ice baths, cold showers) to promote fat loss, improve circulation, and enhance longevity. |
Cold War Hawk: |
A term used by supporters of Reagan’s aggressive stance against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, praising him for his role in ending the conflict. Critics argue that his policies escalated tensions and increased the risk of nuclear conflict. |
Cold War Relic: |
A term used to suggest that neoconservative policies are outdated and rooted in a Cold War mentality, focusing on military strength and ideological conflicts in a world where diplomacy and multilateralism are now preferred. |
Cold War Relics: |
A dismissive term for individuals or ideologies that remain staunchly anti-communist or pro-communist long after the Cold War, suggesting their views are outdated or irrelevant. |
Cold War Victor: |
Reagan is credited with ending the Cold War and defeating the Soviet Union through his firm stance on communism and defense policies. |
Cold War: |
A state of political hostility between countries characterized by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare, especially between the US and the Soviet Union after WWII. |
Collateral Damage: |
A euphemism used by military officials to describe the unintentional killing of civilians during military operations. Critics argue that it downplays the human cost of war. |
Collective Defense: |
The idea that nations should intervene in the defense of allied countries when they are threatened, as part of military alliances such as NATO. |
Collective Punishment: |
A term used by critics of Israel’s military response, arguing that Israel’s actions in Gaza, including airstrikes and blockades, disproportionately harm innocent civilians. |
Collective Security Guarantee: |
NATO is praised for providing collective security to member states, deterring aggression through mutual defense pacts, particularly against threats from adversaries like Russia. |
Collective Security: |
A concept advocating for international alliances and cooperation to prevent conflicts and ensure global stability, countering isolationist policies. |
Collectivism: |
The belief that individual rights and freedoms are subjugated to the collective good, often criticized for limiting personal liberty and incentivizing mediocrity. |
Collectivization: |
The process of converting private land and assets into collective or state ownership, often associated with forced agricultural collectivization in the Soviet Union and criticized for leading to famine and hardship. |
Colonial Continuity: |
Critics argue that modern Western-dominated institutions perpetuate a new form of colonialism by exploiting resources and labor from the Global South under the guise of development and progress. |
Colonial Expansion: |
The practice of establishing colonies to increase a nation’s territory, resources, and influence, often seen as a key aspect of imperialism. |
Colonial Oppression: |
Refers to the repression, violence, and exploitation experienced by colonized people under imperial rule, often cited as a key reason for opposing imperialism. |
Colonialism: |
The historical practice of domination, exploitation, and subjugation of one nation or people by another, often involving the settlement of colonizers on Indigenous lands and the imposition of foreign rule. |
Color Revolution: |
A term used to describe non-violent movements that aim to overthrow authoritarian governments, often in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, sometimes accused of being influenced by Western powers. |
Color Revolutions: |
A term used by Russian and pro-Russian commentators to describe Western-supported uprisings in former Soviet states, including Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan Revolution, suggesting these are orchestrated by the West to destabilize Russia. |
Colorblind Policies: |
Policies that claim to treat all individuals equally, without regard to race. Critics argue that such policies ignore the ongoing effects of systemic racism and fail to address racial disparities. |
Colorblind Racism: |
A critique of identity politics that argues focusing on race perpetuates racial divisions and that we should instead adopt a colorblind approach, treating everyone equally regardless of race. |
Colorblindness: |
A belief or claim that one does not see race and treats everyone the same, which often dismisses the existence of systemic racism and racial differences. |
Colorism: |
Prejudice or discrimination within racial or ethnic groups based on skin tone, where lighter-skinned individuals are favored over those with darker skin. |
Comedy with a Cause: |
Brand’s comedic background combined with his political and social commentary has earned him respect for using humor to discuss serious issues. |
Coming Out: |
The process of publicly acknowledging one’s LGBTQ+ identity, often seen as an empowering and affirming act. |
Command Economy: |
A term used to describe centrally planned economies, often criticized for inefficiency, lack of innovation, and misallocation of resources. |
Commander-in-Chief: |
A traditional term of respect used by supporters to highlight Biden’s role as the leader of the U.S. military, especially during international crises. |
Commodification: |
The process of turning goods, services, or even human relationships into commodities to be bought and sold, a common critique of capitalist societies. |
Common Good: |
The benefit or interests of all people within a society, often cited in debates on public policy. |
Common-Sense Gun Laws: |
A phrase used by gun control advocates to promote policies such as background checks, waiting periods, and restrictions on high-capacity magazines. |
Communal Ownership: |
The idea that the means of production (factories, resources, etc.) should be collectively owned and controlled by society as a whole, rather than private individuals. |
Community Organizer-in-Chief: |
A term used by both supporters and critics, referencing Obama’s background as a community organizer. Supporters see it as proof of his grassroots experience, while critics use it to suggest he lacked the experience needed to lead on a national level. |
Compartmentalization: |
The practice of dividing information within an organization so that no one person knows all the details, reducing the risk of exposure if an agent is compromised. |
Compassionate Conservatism: |
A term used by Bush to describe his approach to governance, blending conservative policies with a focus on social welfare. Critics viewed it as superficial and ineffective. |
Composition Fallacy: |
Assuming that what is true for the parts is also true for the whole. Example: "Each brick in this building is small, so the building must be small." |
Comrade: |
A term used among revolutionaries and leftist groups to signify solidarity and mutual respect in the fight against oppression. |
Conception to Natural Death: |
A phrase emphasizing the belief that life begins at conception and should be protected until natural death, opposing abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. |
Confirmation Bias: |
A cognitive bias where individuals seek out and interpret information in ways that confirm their pre-existing beliefs, commonly cited as a reason why conspiracy theories persist. |
Conflation: |
Treating two or more distinct concepts as though they are identical, often leading to confusion in the argument. Example: "Freedom of speech means I can say anything I want without any consequences." |
Conscious AI: |
A future development in artificial intelligence where machines develop self-awareness and subjective experiences, raising ethical, legal, and philosophical concerns about AI rights. |
Conservative Icon: |
Reagan is revered as a transformative figure in conservative politics, often credited with revitalizing the Republican Party and the conservative movement. |
Conspiracism: |
The belief system or mindset that interprets world events through the lens of conspiracy theories, often leading to distrust of official narratives and skepticism toward institutions. |
Conspiracy Theorist: |
A common critique is that Carlson promotes baseless or exaggerated conspiracy theories, particularly about COVID-19, the 2020 election, and the "deep state." |
Constitutional Carry: |
The belief that individuals should have the right to carry firearms, either openly or concealed, without requiring government permits or licenses. |
Constitutional Crisis: |
A situation where the constitution of a country is unable to resolve a governmental dispute, leading to a breakdown in the functioning of government. |
Constitutionalist: |
A person who believes in strict adherence to the U.S. Constitution, often rejecting the idea of federal government expansion or interference in personal freedoms, particularly in relation to the Second Amendment. |
Consumerism: |
A critique of capitalism focused on the idea that people are driven to accumulate goods and wealth for the sake of consumption, rather than for their actual needs or well-being. |
Containment: |
A geopolitical strategy aimed at preventing the expansion of a hostile power or ideology, historically used during the Cold War to prevent the spread of communism. |
Content Flagging: |
The act of marking content as potentially harmful, misleading, or inappropriate by platforms, allowing users to report information for review and possible removal. |
Content Moderation: |
The process by which online platforms monitor, review, and remove content that violates community guidelines or spreads harmful misinformation. This is a key term for social media companies involved in managing user content. |
Content Suppression: |
A strategy used by platforms or governments to reduce the spread of harmful or false information, often criticized as a form of censorship when applied to controversial topics. |
Content Takedowns: |
The removal of posts, videos, or other content from platforms, often at the request of governments or corporations, raising questions about censorship. |
Contextual Information Labels: |
Labels added to content by social media platforms or fact-checkers to provide context or disclaimers, often used to flag posts that contain disputed or potentially false information. |
Controlled Demolition: |
A term used by 9/11 conspiracy theorists who claim that the World Trade Center towers were brought down by pre-planted explosives rather than by the impact of the airplanes. |
Controlled Media: |
Media outlets that are either directly controlled by the government or heavily influenced by governmental or corporate interests, limiting unbiased reporting. |
Controlled Opposition: |
A conspiracy theory term used by those who believe that certain dissenting voices or organizations are actually being controlled by the very entities they claim to oppose, often used in anti-government rhetoric. |
Conversion Therapy: |
A discredited practice aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation from gay or bisexual to heterosexual, often promoted by anti-LGBTQ+ advocates. |
Cop Kamala: |
A derogatory nickname used by critics on the left, especially progressives, to criticize her record on criminal justice reform, accusing her of being too harsh during her time as a prosecutor. |
Copaganda: |
A term used to describe media that portrays police in a sympathetic or heroic light, seen as a way to justify and normalize state violence. |
Cordon Sanitaire: |
A strategy of surrounding or isolating a country to prevent the spread of its influence, often used metaphorically in geopolitics to contain ideological or political movements. |
Corporate Elitism: |
The WEF and Davos are often criticized as gatherings of wealthy corporate elites who are more interested in protecting their own financial interests than addressing global inequality. |
Corporate Globalism: |
A term used by critics to argue that neoliberal policies prioritize global corporations and financial elites at the expense of local industries and workers. |
Corporate Globalization: |
The idea that globalization primarily serves multinational corporations at the expense of local businesses, workers, and economies, often leading to inequality and exploitation. |
Corporate Greed: |
A term used to criticize capitalism’s focus on maximizing profits, often at the expense of workers’ rights, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. |
Corporate Media: |
A term often used to imply that large media conglomerates are more interested in protecting their advertisers and shareholders than in reporting the truth. |
Corporate Power Center: |
The WEF is accused of being dominated by multinational corporations, promoting a corporate agenda that prioritizes profits over social and environmental well-being. |
Corporate Shill: |
Critics accuse neoliberals of prioritizing the interests of corporations and the wealthy over the needs of workers, often framing neoliberalism as a tool of corporate power. |
Corporate Welfare: |
A critique of neoliberal policies that accuses the establishment of providing massive subsidies and tax breaks to corporations while cutting social services for the poor. |
Corrupt Institution: |
The UN has been criticized for corruption and mismanagement, with detractors arguing that its peacekeeping forces and aid programs are often inefficient or compromised by scandal. |
Corrupt: |
Critics point to Trump’s business dealings, conflicts of interest, and efforts to profit from the presidency as evidence of corruption. |
Corruption Allegations: |
A term used by critics of the Biden family to describe accusations of corrupt business dealings involving Hunter Biden and potential connections to Joe Biden during his time as vice president. |
Corruption Fighters: |
Populist leaders, whether on the left or right, are viewed by their supporters as fighting corruption and political cronyism, particularly in government and large corporations. |
Cosmic Downloads: |
A term used to describe receiving spiritual wisdom or insight from the universe or higher dimensions, often during meditation or in altered states of consciousness. |
Counter-Hegemony: |
The effort to challenge and overturn the dominant cultural and political power structure (hegemonic power) through grassroots organizing and revolutionary action. |
Counter-Narrative: |
A strategy used by governments or organizations to provide an alternative narrative or explanation to combat misinformation, disinformation, or propaganda. |
Counter-Subversion: |
Actions taken by a government or organization to prevent or combat subversive activities, which could include disinformation, sedition, or infiltration by opposition forces. |
Counterinsurgency (COIN): |
Military, political, and social efforts to defeat insurgencies and stabilize the government and population. |
Counterintelligence: |
Activities aimed at preventing spying or intelligence gathering by foreign entities or enemy agents. |
Counterterrorism Force: |
NATO’s role in combating global terrorism, particularly after 9/11, is seen as crucial in maintaining international security and protecting civilian lives. |
Coup Attempt: |
A phrase used by critics of Trump and his supporters to describe the January 6th events, implying that the goal was to unlawfully seize power and overturn a legitimate election. |
Cover Story: |
A fabricated narrative or explanation created to disguise the true nature of an operation or mission. |
Covert Action: |
An operation conducted in secret, often involving espionage, sabotage, or regime change, where the sponsor's involvement is hidden. |
COVFEFE: |
A famous typo in one of Trump’s tweets, used humorously by both supporters and detractors as an example of his erratic use of social media. |
Covid Hoax: |
A conspiracy theory asserting that Covid-19 was exaggerated or fabricated for political or economic control, a view widely rejected by the scientific and medical community. |
COVID Leadership: |
Walz’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including stay-at-home orders and vaccine distribution, is viewed positively by those who believe in science-driven public health policy. |
Creationism: |
The belief that life and the universe were created by a divine being, often presented as an alternative to the scientific theory of evolution, despite lacking scientific support. |
Creative Destruction: |
The idea that capitalism thrives on the continual destruction of outdated industries and the creation of new ones, driving innovation and economic growth. |
Creepshot: |
A surreptitious photograph taken of someone, typically without their consent, often shared online for voyeuristic purposes. |
Cringe: |
A reaction to something embarrassing, awkward, or inauthentic, often used to mock or criticize content that is seen as trying too hard or failing socially. |
Crisis Actor: |
A term used by conspiracy theorists to describe actors supposedly paid to participate in staged events (such as false-flag operations) to advance a political agenda. |
Crisis Pregnancy Centers: |
Organizations that provide pregnancy-related services and often discourage abortion, positioning themselves as alternatives to abortion clinics. |
Critical Consciousness: |
A concept in identity politics related to becoming aware of and critically examining the systems of oppression that affect marginalized communities, often leading to collective action. |
Critical Pedagogy: |
A philosophy of education that encourages students to question power structures and promote social justice, used in academic discourse to critique traditional teaching methods that reinforce societal hierarchies. |
Critical Race Theory (CRT): |
An academic framework that examines how racism is embedded in legal systems, policies, and institutions, and how it perpetuates inequality. CRT has recently become a contentious topic in political and educational debates. |
Critical Race Theory Ban: |
Refers to recent political efforts to prevent the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools, often based on a misunderstanding of what CRT is. Opponents argue that it promotes racial division, while supporters see these bans as attempts to suppress the truth about systemic racism. |
Critical Thinking: |
The emphasis on using logic, reason, and evidence to analyze beliefs and ideas, central to atheistic arguments against religious faith. |
Crony Capitalism: |
A critique of capitalism where businesses thrive not through competition but by cozy relationships with government officials, leading to corruption and economic inequality. |
Cronyism: |
The practice of powerful political figures giving favors, positions, or contracts to their friends or allies, often used to criticize both neoliberal and neoconservative policies. |
Crooked Hillary: |
A derogatory nickname popularized by Donald Trump and his supporters during the 2016 presidential campaign, suggesting that Hillary Clinton is corrupt and untrustworthy. |
Crosspost: |
The practice of posting the same message or content to multiple forums or newsgroups, often criticized when done excessively. |
Crossposting: |
Posting the same message across multiple forums or newsgroups, often viewed as spamming if done excessively. |
Crowdsourcing: |
The practice of obtaining input, ideas, or labor from a large group of people, usually through the internet, often praised for its democratizing effects but criticized for exploitative practices. |
Cryogenics for Space Travel: |
The use of cryogenic technologies to freeze humans for long-term space voyages, allowing interstellar travel without the limitations of human lifespans. |
Cryonics: |
The preservation of human bodies at low temperatures after death, with the hope that future advances in technology will enable their revival and curing of currently incurable diseases. |
Cryopreservation: |
The process of freezing biological tissues or organisms at extremely low temperatures with the hope of reviving them in the future, often associated with the long-term preservation of human bodies for future revival. |
Crystal Healing: |
The use of crystals and gemstones for physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, based on the belief that they emit healing energy or vibrations. |
Cuck: |
A derogatory term used by far-right groups to describe men who are seen as weak or submissive, particularly toward progressive values, feminism, or multiculturalism. |
Cuckservative: |
A portmanteau of "cuckold" and "conservative," used by the alt-right to describe traditional conservatives who are seen as weak, submissive, or too accommodating to liberal or progressive values. |
Cult Leader: |
A derogatory term used by some to describe the intense loyalty of Tate’s followers, who are seen as blindly subscribing to his extreme ideologies. |
Cult of Personality: |
A term used by critics to describe the strong personal loyalty and adoration Trump commands among his supporters, often likening it to authoritarian leadership. |
Cultist: |
A derogatory term used to describe followers of Satanism or other fringe religious movements, implying manipulation or dangerous practices. |
Cultural Appropriation: |
The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, especially when done by a more dominant group, often criticized by liberals. |
Cultural Assimilation: |
The process by which a person or group adopts the cultural traits or social norms of another group, often under pressure to conform to the dominant culture. In racial discussions, this can highlight how people of color are often expected to "fit in" to white-dominated spaces. |
Cultural Capital: |
The non-financial social assets (e.g., education, intellect, style of speech, dress) that promote social mobility in a stratified society. In racial discourse, it’s used to discuss how cultural capital is unequally distributed along racial lines. |
Cultural Commentator: |
Supporters admire Pool for his thoughtful commentary on political and cultural issues, particularly his analysis of free speech and cancel culture. |
Cultural Competency: |
The ability of individuals or organizations to interact effectively with people from different cultures, particularly with regard to understanding and respecting cultural differences. It is often emphasized in healthcare, education, and law enforcement. |
Cultural Conservative: |
A term used to describe Carlson’s advocacy for preserving traditional American values, especially related to family, faith, and patriotism. |
Cultural Critic: |
Curry is praised for his sharp and often humorous commentary on politics, media, and social trends, particularly through his No Agenda podcast. |
Cultural Critique: |
The practice of analyzing and critiquing cultural products, practices, and institutions to reveal underlying power dynamics, particularly those related to race, gender, and class. |
Cultural Dissonance: |
The conflict or discomfort experienced by individuals or groups when their cultural values or practices clash with those of the dominant culture. This term is often used to describe the experience of immigrants or people of color in predominantly white societies. |
Cultural Equity: |
A movement advocating for fair access to cultural resources, representation, and opportunities for people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly in the arts and media. |
Cultural Exchange: |
The idea that globalization promotes the sharing of cultural ideas, practices, and traditions, enhancing mutual understanding and collaboration between nations. |
Cultural Fit: |
A controversial hiring criterion that can perpetuate racial or cultural homogeneity in organizations. Critics argue that it is often used as a way to exclude people who come from different racial or cultural backgrounds. |
Cultural Fragmentation: |
A term used to describe the cultural effects of postmodernism, where society becomes fragmented into isolated groups with no shared cultural norms or values. |
Cultural Genocide: |
A term used to criticize Canada’s historical and ongoing treatment of Indigenous peoples, particularly in relation to residential schools and forced assimilation policies. |
Cultural Hegemony: |
A concept from Marxist theory referring to the dominance of a culturally elite group in shaping societal values and norms, often without direct coercion (e.g., Western cultural dominance). |
Cultural Homogenization: |
The concern that globalization leads to the dominance of Western or corporate culture, erasing local traditions and cultural identities. |
Cultural Humility: |
A lifelong process of self-reflection and critique regarding one’s own biases, assumptions, and power dynamics when interacting with other cultures. |
Cultural Identity: |
Refers to a sense of belonging to a particular culture, ethnicity, or social group. Identity politics emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting these identities in social and political contexts. |
Cultural Imperialism: |
The dominance of one culture over another through media, education, and communication, leading to the erosion of local cultures and values. |
Cultural Leadership: |
The spread of Western cultural values, including individualism, free expression, and equality, is often viewed positively as an influence on global society. |
Cultural Marxism: |
A conspiracy theory often invoked by critics of identity politics, suggesting that leftist academics and activists are undermining Western values by promoting identity-based movements like feminism, anti-racism, and LGBTQ+ rights. |
Cultural Nihilism: |
A term used to criticize postmodernism for eroding meaning and value in society, leaving individuals without guiding principles or clear ethical structures. |
Cultural Relativism: |
The idea that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than judged against the criteria of another culture, often discussed in the context of avoiding ethnocentrism. |
Cultural Resistance: |
Acts of preserving, celebrating, or promoting one’s culture as a form of resistance to assimilation or marginalization, particularly in the face of colonization or systemic oppression. |
Cultural Retention: |
The practice of maintaining and preserving one’s cultural traditions, language, and values, even when living in a society dominated by another culture. It is often viewed as a form of resistance to assimilation. |
Cultural Sensitivity Training: |
Programs implemented in workplaces or schools to educate people on different cultural practices, languages, and perspectives, aiming to reduce cultural misunderstandings and microaggressions. |
Cultural Sovereignty: |
A term used in discussions about Indigenous identity politics, emphasizing the right of Indigenous peoples to self-governance and the preservation of their cultures, languages, and traditions. |
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: |
An educational approach that uses students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning to promote engagement and success. It is often used in efforts to combat systemic racism in education. |
Culture Industry: |
A term from critical theory that refers to the commercialization and commodification of culture (e.g., film, music), often critiqued for promoting mass conformity and dulling critical thought. |
Culture of Entitlement: |
A critique aimed at younger generations or welfare recipients, suggesting that they feel entitled to benefits or privileges without working for them. |
Culture War: |
A term used to describe ideological conflict between progressive and conservative values, often around issues like education, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and race. |
Cutout: |
An intermediary or method of passing information between operatives or agencies without direct contact, to maintain secrecy and prevent compromise. |
Cutting: |
A phase in bodybuilding where the goal is to lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass, often involving a caloric deficit and high-protein diet. |
Cyber Censorship: |
The control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the internet, often done by governments to restrict the free flow of information. |
Cyber Surveillance: |
The monitoring of online activities by governments or corporations to track behaviors, often justified as necessary for security but criticized for infringing on privacy. |
Cyber Warfare: |
The use of hacking, digital attacks, and electronic espionage as tools in warfare or political conflicts. |
Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS): |
Systems that integrate computation, networking, and physical processes, such as autonomous vehicles or smart grid systems, that interact with both the digital and physical worlds. |
Cyberbullying: |
The act of harassing, intimidating, or insulting someone through electronic communication, such as social media, texting, or online forums. |
Cybernetic Organisms (Cyborgs): |
Humans integrated with advanced prosthetics, implants, or augmentations that enhance physical and mental abilities, creating a hybrid of human and machine. |
Cybersecurity: |
The practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from cyberattacks, essential in an era of increasing connectivity and digital infrastructure. |
Cyborgization: |
The merging of human biology with mechanical or digital systems, resulting in humans with enhanced capabilities, such as improved senses, strength, or connectivity. |
Daemon: |
A background process in Unix/Linux systems that performs functions without user interaction. |
Dangerous Misinformer: |
A negative label used by opponents who believe RFK Jr. spreads harmful misinformation, particularly regarding public health. |
Dangle: |
An operative who is deliberately placed to be "caught" or approached by enemy intelligence services to feed them false information or lure them into a trap. |
Dank Memes: |
High-quality or particularly funny memes that often play on absurd or niche internet humor. |
Data Deification: |
The treatment of data and algorithms as sacred or infallible sources of truth, often ignoring the biases and limitations inherent in data collection and interpretation. |
Data Fundamentalism: |
The over-reliance on data-driven insights to make decisions, dismissing subjective experiences, human intuition, or ethics as irrelevant to understanding the truth. |
Data Harvesting: |
The collection of vast amounts of personal data by companies or governments, often used to predict or influence behaviors and decisions. |
Data Overload: |
The overwhelming amount of data available in the modern world, leading to a reliance on algorithms and machines to make sense of it. Some argue that this over-reliance on data can lead to oversimplified or misinterpreted conclusions. |
Data Priesthood: |
The belief that data analysts, technocrats, and scientists hold sacred knowledge about how to run society, often without transparency or public accountability, and beyond critique. |
Data Priests: |
A critical term for data scientists or technocrats who are viewed as having excessive control over society’s decisions through data analysis, often with an almost sacred authority. |
Data Reductionism: |
Reducing complex phenomena to data points, often criticized for stripping away the human, emotional, or ethical dimensions of issues. |
Data-Driven Morality: |
The belief that moral and ethical decisions can be made solely based on empirical data, often criticized for ignoring the role of empathy, culture, and philosophy in moral reasoning. |
Data-Worshipping Society: |
A society that places ultimate faith in data, algorithms, and scientific evidence, often treating them as infallible or divine sources of knowledge, while ignoring the limitations and biases inherent in data. |
Datafication of Society: |
A term used to describe the trend of turning every aspect of life, from personal experiences to societal decisions, into data points, often criticized for dehumanizing individuals and reducing complex issues to simplistic metrics. |
Dataism as Dogma: |
A critique that data and algorithms are treated as unchallengeable truths, with society increasingly deferring to data-driven decision-making as though it were an absolute dogma. |
Dataism as Ideology: |
The belief that data and algorithms can explain everything and should be relied upon for all decision-making, criticized as a form of secular "faith" in technology. |
Dataism: |
A belief in the supremacy of data and algorithms in decision-making, often critiqued for over-reliance on quantification and the neglect of human judgment or subjective factors. |
Davos Class: |
A derogatory term used to describe the wealthy, influential attendees of Davos, often seen as out of touch with the needs of ordinary people and promoting policies that exacerbate inequality. |
Davos Man: |
A derogatory term used to describe the global elite who attend the WEF, suggesting that they are disconnected from the realities of everyday people and focused on advancing their own interests. |
Day of the Rope: |
A reference from the white supremacist novel The Turner Diaries, referring to a fictional day when white nationalists take power and execute their political enemies, particularly non-white people and Jews. |
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): |
A type of cyberattack where multiple systems flood a targeted server or network with traffic, causing it to crash or become unavailable. |
De-escalation of Information: |
A strategy used to reduce the impact of harmful or misleading information by reducing its visibility or limiting its reach, often through content moderation. |
De-Extinction: |
The process of bringing extinct species back to life through cloning or genetic engineering, a concept closely related to the ethical and environmental implications of future biotechnology. |
Dead Drop: |
A secret location where information, objects, or messages are left by a spy for another operative to retrieve. |
Deadnaming: |
The act of referring to a transgender person by their birth name after they have changed it, considered disrespectful and harmful by trans advocates. |
Death to America: |
A controversial slogan often chanted in Iranian government-sanctioned rallies, reflecting deep anti-American sentiment. |
Debt Trap Diplomacy: |
A term used to criticize countries (especially China) for giving large loans to developing nations, which they are unlikely to repay, in order to gain political leverage. |
Debunking: |
The act of exposing false information or disinformation by providing evidence and factual counterarguments. It’s a key strategy used by fact-checkers and anti-misinformation organizations. |
Decapitation Strike: |
A military tactic aimed at taking out the leadership of an enemy country or group, often to weaken or destabilize their operations. |
Decarbonization: |
The process of reducing or eliminating carbon emissions from the economy, particularly from energy, transportation, and industry. |
Decentering Whiteness: |
A concept in racial identity politics that calls for moving away from centering white experiences and perspectives in discussions about race, focusing instead on the experiences of people of color. |
Decentering: |
The postmodern practice of challenging dominant cultural, historical, or social narratives by "decentering" them and giving space to marginalized voices or alternative viewpoints. |
Decentralization Advocate: |
Curry is praised for his advocacy of decentralized media, especially in his promotion of podcasting as a way to bypass corporate control over information. |
Decentralization: |
A trend toward distributing power and decision-making away from central authorities, often enabled by blockchain and peer-to-peer technologies, seen in finance, governance, and the internet. |
Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO): |
A self-governing organization that operates via blockchain technology and smart contracts, with decisions made collectively by stakeholders without a centralized leadership structure. |
Decentralized Media Champion: |
Curry’s advocacy for media independence and his support of alternative, listener-supported formats is admired by those who reject mainstream corporate-controlled media. |
Decoloniality: |
A framework that seeks to dismantle colonial structures, ideologies, and ways of thinking, moving beyond traditional postcolonial discourse to emphasize Indigenous knowledge and anti-Western paradigms. |
Decolonization: |
A political and cultural movement focused on dismantling colonial power structures and reclaiming Indigenous, Black, or other marginalized identities. It is often associated with identity politics in postcolonial contexts. |
Decolonizing Education: |
Efforts to challenge and change curriculums, pedagogies, and academic structures that are Eurocentric and exclude the histories, cultures, and contributions of non-Western peoples. |
Deconstruction: |
A form of critical analysis that involves taking apart and analyzing the assumptions behind texts or arguments. Often used to dismiss an opponent’s argument as simplistic or based on flawed assumptions. |
Deconstructionism Gone Wild: |
A term used by opponents of postmodernism to describe how its deconstruction of texts, meanings, and institutions can go too far, leading to an inability to assert any truths or values. |
Deconversion: |
The process of leaving religious belief, often celebrated in atheist circles as an awakening to reason or freedom from dogma. |
Deep Dive: |
A thorough exploration of a topic, often used by influencers or content creators. When used dismissively, it can suggest that someone is over-analyzing or being overly critical of a trivial subject. |
Deep State: |
A belief in a hidden government operating behind the scenes of the official government, often controlling or influencing decisions without accountability. |
Deepfake: |
A highly advanced form of manipulated media, often used in political discourse to refer to the potential dangers of AI-generated content that could deceive people about reality. |
Deepfakes: |
Artificially manipulated videos or images, typically generated using AI, which make it appear as if someone is saying or doing something they never did, raising concerns about misinformation and consent. |
Defamation: |
The act of making false statements that damage someone's reputation, though accusations of defamation are sometimes used to suppress free speech. |
Defectors: |
North Koreans who escape to other countries, often celebrated by critics of the regime but denounced as traitors by the North Korean government. |
Defender of Democracy: |
NATO is often lauded for its role in defending democratic nations from authoritarian threats, particularly during the Cold War and in modern confrontations with Russia. |
Defender of Europe: |
Used by pro-Ukraine voices to frame Zelenskyy as not only defending Ukraine but also protecting Europe from Russian aggression. |
Defender of Liberal Order: |
The Western-led international order is praised for defending the rules-based system that promotes free trade, democracy, and respect for international law. |
Defender of Middle America: |
Carlson’s focus on issues affecting working-class Americans has earned him praise as a voice for those often overlooked by the political elite. |
Deflection by Complexity: |
Suggesting that a topic is too complex for the opponent to understand, using intricate theories or concepts to dodge a straightforward answer or critique. |
Defund Planned Parenthood: |
A rallying cry for anti-abortion advocates who seek to stop government funding for Planned Parenthood. |
Defund the Police Radical: |
A term used by critics to suggest that the populist left’s calls for police reform or abolition are extreme, leading to a breakdown in law and order. |
Defund the Police: |
A demand to redirect funds from police departments to community services and social programs as a way to address systemic violence and inequality. |
Degrowth: |
A movement advocating for the reduction of consumption and production to achieve ecological sustainability, seen as essential by some environmentalists but dismissed by critics as unrealistic or economically damaging. |
Dehumanization: |
The process of stripping a person or group of their human qualities, often used to justify violence, oppression, or exclusion (e.g., in discussions about war, racism, and slavery). |
Demagogue: |
A political leader who seeks support by appealing to desires, fears, and prejudices, rather than using rational argument. This term is often applied to populist or right-wing leaders. |
Dementia Joe: |
A slur used by Biden’s harshest critics, often in conservative circles, to question his mental acuity and ability to govern effectively. |
Democracy Defender: |
Western-led organizations, particularly NATO, are often praised for protecting democratic values and human rights around the world, often by intervening in authoritarian states. |
Democracy Promoter: |
Western hegemony is seen as responsible for spreading democracy, human rights, and liberal values across the globe, especially in the post-Cold War era. |
Democracy Promotion: |
Supporters argue that neoconservative foreign policy, including military intervention, is justified by the goal of spreading democracy and human rights, especially in authoritarian regimes. |
Democratic Deficit: |
A critique of global governance institutions, like the EU or UN, suggesting that they are undemocratic, with too much decision-making power concentrated in the hands of bureaucrats. |
Democratic Hypocrisy: |
Critics accuse Western nations of hypocrisy, promoting democracy abroad while ignoring or undermining democratic movements when it suits their geopolitical interests (e.g., support for authoritarian regimes when strategically advantageous). |
Democratic Legitimacy: |
The belief that political authority is justified and acceptable only when it is derived from the will of the people through democratic processes. |
Democratic Turncoat: |
A term used by those who believe Gabbard abandoned Democratic values and increasingly aligns with right-wing populism. |
Demonetization: |
The process by which platforms (like YouTube) remove the ability of a content creator to earn money from their content, often seen as an indirect form of censorship or control. |
Demonic Influence: |
The idea that individuals who practice Satanism or other occult rituals are under the influence of demonic forces, often cited by religious critics. |
Deplatforming: |
The act of removing individuals or groups from platforms (like social media or speaking events) due to their controversial or harmful views, praised by some as necessary for public safety and criticized by others as censorship. |
Depopulation Agenda: |
A conspiracy theory that claims Bill Gates is secretly trying to reduce the global population through vaccines and other health initiatives. This has been widely debunked, but remains popular among anti-vaccine and anti-globalist groups. |
Depopulation Conspiracy: |
Similar to the eugenics theory, this conspiracy claims Gates is seeking to reduce the global population through vaccines or other health measures. This has been widely debunked. |
Deporter-in-Chief: |
A term used by immigrant rights activists to criticize Obama’s record on immigration, pointing to the high number of deportations during his administration despite his pro-immigration reform rhetoric. |
Desert Storm: |
The military operation during the Gulf War, widely viewed as a successful campaign to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi forces. Supporters of Bush saw it as a major military victory, while critics viewed it as unnecessary U.S. interventionism. |
Destabilizer: |
NATO interventions are often blamed for causing instability and chaos, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, leading to failed states and regional conflict. |
Destruction of Western Civilization: |
A critique that postmodernism undermines the foundational principles of Western society, such as reason, science, and universal values, in favor of relativism and nihilism. |
Detente Architect: |
Nixon is credited with easing tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, a major accomplishment during the Cold War. |
Detente: |
The easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation, often referring to the relaxation of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. |
Detox: |
The process of purging toxins from the body through various diets, cleanses, or treatments, despite the scientific community’s skepticism about its necessity or effectiveness. |
Detoxification (Detox): |
A pseudoscientific practice that claims to cleanse the body of toxins through various diets, supplements, or treatments, without scientific support for the concept of toxins needing to be removed this way. |
Detoxification: |
The promotion of diets, supplements, or treatments designed to "cleanse" the body of toxins, despite the lack of scientific proof that such detoxes have any tangible health benefits. |
Detransition: |
The process of reverting back to one’s assigned gender at birth after transitioning, often cited by opponents to argue that transgender people are confused or making reversible decisions. |
Development Partner: |
The UN’s efforts in sustainable development, through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are seen as essential for reducing global inequality and promoting economic growth in developing nations. |
Devil Worship: |
A pejorative term used to describe individuals or groups associated with Satanism, implying that they worship evil or engage in immoral practices. |
Dezinformatsiya (Disinformation): |
A term originally used by the Soviet Union to describe operations that aimed to spread false or misleading information to undermine the credibility of adversaries. |
Dialectical Materialism: |
A Marxist concept that societal change comes through the conflict of opposing forces, particularly class struggle. |
Dialectical: |
Refers to the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions. It can be used in debates to imply that the opponent's arguments lack nuance or understanding of complex contradictions. |
Diaspora: |
The movement, migration, or scattering of people away from an ancestral homeland, often used to describe communities of people of African, Jewish, or Indigenous descent living outside their traditional regions. |
Diasporic Consciousness: |
The awareness of being part of a global diaspora, which includes the understanding of shared historical struggles, cultural heritage, and a connection to a homeland or ancestral roots, often discussed in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous contexts. |
Diasporic Identity: |
The identity formed by individuals or communities living outside of their ancestral homeland, often involving a blending of the homeland’s culture with the culture of the new country. |
Dictatorship of the Proletariat: |
The transitional state between capitalism and communism, where the working class holds political power and suppresses the remnants of the capitalist class. |
Digital Consciousness: |
The theory that consciousness can be digitized and stored, allowing human minds to exist in virtual environments or be transferred into different physical mediums. |
Digital Detox: |
Taking a break from using social media or digital devices to reduce stress or escape online pressure, often seen as a way to improve mental health. |
Digital Divide: |
Refers to the gap between those with access to technology and the internet and those without, often discussed in terms of economic inequality and access to education or employment. |
Digital Immortality: |
A concept in which a person’s consciousness or personality is uploaded or preserved digitally, potentially allowing people to live on through artificial means, such as AI replicas or avatars. |
Digital Literacy: |
The skills and knowledge necessary to effectively navigate, understand, and critically assess digital media. Promoted by anti-disinformation organizations to help users recognize false or misleading content. |
Digital Nomadism: |
A future lifestyle where individuals work remotely from anywhere in the world, facilitated by advanced communication technologies and a growing reliance on virtual workspaces. |
Digital Panopticon: |
A critique of modern surveillance technologies where citizens are constantly monitored and feel as if they are always being watched, leading to self-regulation and loss of privacy. |
Digital Redlining: |
The discriminatory practice of limiting access to the internet or technology resources for communities of color, similar to how redlining historically limited access to housing and financial services. |
Digital Transformation: |
The integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how organizations operate and deliver value to customers. |
Digital Twin: |
A virtual model of a physical object, system, or process that can be used for simulation, analysis, and optimization. Digital twins are increasingly used in manufacturing, healthcare, and urban planning. |
Digital Twins of Society: |
The creation of digital models of entire societies or ecosystems that allow for simulation, planning, and testing of policies, environments, or scenarios without real-world consequences. |
Diplomacy Advocate: |
The UN is seen as a vital platform for diplomacy, offering nations a forum to resolve conflicts peacefully and promote international cooperation on issues like climate change and human rights. |
Diplomatic Engagement: |
The practice of using diplomacy and dialogue with other countries to solve global issues, often promoted as a more effective alternative to isolationism. |
Diplomatic Forum: |
Establishment organizations are praised for providing platforms (such as the UN General Assembly) where countries can diplomatically resolve disputes and avoid war. |
Diplomatic Hypocrisy: |
Refers to the accusation that Western powers and institutions selectively apply international law and human rights standards, often ignoring them when it suits their geopolitical interests. |
Diplomatic Immunity: |
Legal immunity granted to diplomats, ensuring that they are not subject to the laws of the country in which they are stationed. |
Diplomatic Pouch: |
A container used to transport official diplomatic documents or items, immune from search by foreign customs or law enforcement. |
Diplomatic Powerhouse: |
Institutions like the UN are seen as essential forums for diplomacy, helping prevent wars and providing platforms for peaceful resolution of conflicts. |
Diplomatic Standoff: |
A situation where two countries are in a tense political impasse, refusing to engage in formal diplomatic discussions. |
Direct Action: |
Political action taken outside of established institutions, including strikes, protests, occupations, or sabotage, aimed at achieving immediate results. |
Disconfirmation Bias: |
The tendency to dismiss or reject information that disproves one’s beliefs. This bias often explains why conspiracy theorists cling to their ideas despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. |
Discourse: |
Refers to the ways in which knowledge, power, and social norms are constructed through language, narratives, and cultural practices. Postmodernism examines how discourse shapes reality. |
Discursive Power: |
The power that operates through language and discourse to define what is considered "normal" or "acceptable" in society. Academics might critique someone for being complicit in reinforcing oppressive discursive power. |
Disengagement: |
The policy of reducing or eliminating involvement in international conflicts or organizations, focusing instead on domestic concerns. |
Disinformation Campaign: |
A coordinated effort to spread false or misleading information to influence public opinion, disrupt societies, or harm political opponents. Governments and organizations use this term when discussing state-sponsored or coordinated disinformation efforts. |
Disinformation Nexus: |
Describes the interconnected network of individuals, groups, or platforms that collaborate to spread false information or propaganda, often amplifying each other’s content. |
Disinformation vs. Misinformation: |
Disinformation refers to false information spread deliberately to deceive, while misinformation is incorrect information shared without intent to mislead. |
Disinformation: |
Deliberate spreading of false information to mislead or deceive the public, often used as a tool of political manipulation. |
Disrupting Power Dynamics: |
Refers to the intentional challenging of traditional power structures that benefit dominant identity groups, with the goal of creating a more equitable society. |
Disrupting Whiteness: |
A term used in anti-racism movements to describe efforts aimed at dismantling the normalization of whiteness in societal structures, institutions, and cultures. |
Disruptive Innovation: |
A term coined by Clayton Christensen to describe innovations that create new markets or radically alter existing ones, often displacing established technologies or industries. |
Disruptor: |
AOC is seen as someone who challenges the status quo and traditional power structures within the Democratic Party, pushing for a more progressive agenda. |
Diversity Champions: |
The Squad is admired for representing diversity in gender, race, and ethnicity in Congress, making their presence a symbol of representation for marginalized communities. |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): |
A set of policies and practices in corporate, educational, or governmental institutions aimed at promoting a diverse workforce or student body, ensuring equitable treatment, and fostering an inclusive environment. |
Diversity: |
Supporters of identity politics see diversity as essential for equity and representation, while critics sometimes argue that diversity efforts prioritize identity over qualifications or merit. |
Divide and Conquer: |
A strategy where one power breaks up larger concentrations of power into smaller pieces, preventing cohesion and resistance. |
Divider-in-Chief: |
Many argue that Trump’s rhetoric and policies fostered division and hatred, particularly along racial, political, and class lines. |
Divine Feminine: |
A spiritual term representing the nurturing, intuitive, and emotional aspects of spirituality, often associated with goddess worship and the balance of masculine and feminine energies. |
Division Fallacy: |
Assuming that what is true for the whole is also true for the parts. Example: "The team is strong, so each player must be strong." |
Divisive Figure: |
Dore is criticized for causing divisions within the progressive movement, particularly for his attacks on high-profile progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. |
DM (Direct Message): |
A private communication between users on social media platforms, visible only to the participants. |
DNA Activation: |
A belief that humans possess dormant strands of DNA that, when "activated" through spiritual practice, will unlock new abilities such as heightened intuition or healing powers. |
Dog Whistle: |
Coded language that appears innocuous but has a specific meaning to a targeted audience, often used to signal political beliefs. |
Doge: |
A meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog with captions written in broken English, often used to express inner monologue humorously. The meme became iconic and even inspired a cryptocurrency. |
Dogmatic: |
Accusing someone of being rigid and inflexible in their views, especially when they rely on theory or academic ideology that doesn’t accommodate practical concerns. |
Dogpiling: |
A form of online harassment where a large number of users target a specific individual with negative comments, insults, or criticism, often overwhelming them. |
Dollar Hegemony: |
The dominance of the U.S. dollar in global trade and finance is criticized for giving Western countries, particularly the U.S., disproportionate power over global economic systems, often to the detriment of other nations. |
Domestic Terrorism: |
A term used by critics of the January 6th participants to describe the event as a coordinated act of terrorism designed to intimidate or coerce the government. |
Dominance Doctrine: |
The idea that a nation should use aggressive or adventurous tactics to maintain or assert global dominance, often linked to imperial ambitions. |
DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness): |
The muscle soreness that occurs 24-48 hours after intense exercise, particularly after unfamiliar or challenging movements. |
Donbas Conflict: |
The ongoing war between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine. Seen by some as a civil war and by others as a Russian invasion. |
Double Agent: |
A spy who pretends to serve one side while actually working for the enemy, often feeding disinformation or intelligence to both sides. |
Double Standard: |
Applying different sets of principles to similar situations, often in a biased or self-serving way. Example: "It’s okay when my side does it, but it’s wrong when your side does the same thing." |
Doublespeak: |
Deliberately obscure or euphemistic language used to disguise the truth. |
Doublethink: |
The act of accepting two contradictory beliefs simultaneously, often used to describe political or media manipulations where facts are distorted. |
Doxxing: |
The act of publicly revealing personal information about someone without their consent, often done maliciously. |
Drain the Swamp Warrior: |
Trump is seen as someone who took on corruption in Washington, particularly in challenging establishment politicians and the "deep state." |
Drain the Swamp: |
A phrase Trump used during his campaign to signal his intention to remove corrupt and entrenched elites from Washington, D.C. Supporters saw this as a key promise of his presidency, while critics argue that he failed to follow through. |
Drone King: |
A term used by critics of Obama’s foreign policy, particularly his expansion of drone warfare, which led to civilian casualties. Supporters of his national security policies argue that drone strikes were a necessary tool in the fight against terrorism. |
Dumb Dubya: |
A derogatory term used by Bush’s critics to suggest he was intellectually unfit for the presidency, often focusing on his verbal gaffes and perceived lack of knowledge. |
Dunning-Kruger Effect: |
A cognitive bias in which people with low ability at a task overestimate their ability, often used to critique people who express strong opinions without expertise. |
Dynamic Foreign Policy: |
An active and assertive approach to international relations that involves taking bold, sometimes risky, actions to pursue national interests abroad. |
Echo Chamber Effect: |
A situation in which people are surrounded by others who share their views, reinforcing their beliefs and isolating them from contradictory information, which is common in conspiracy theory circles. |
Echo Chamber Host: |
Some critics argue that Curry’s podcast caters to an audience that is hostile to mainstream narratives, reinforcing biases rather than fostering meaningful debate. |
Echo Chamber: |
A metaphor for online or social spaces where people are only exposed to views that reinforce their own, leading to more extreme beliefs and isolation from opposing perspectives. |
Eco-Anxiety: |
A term describing the fear and stress related to the potential catastrophic impacts of climate change, increasingly common among younger generations. |
Eco-Cities: |
Future urban developments designed with sustainability at their core, using green technology, renewable energy, and circular economies to reduce environmental impact and support long-term ecological balance. |
Eco-Fascism: |
A term used by critics of environmental policies to suggest that government interventions in the name of climate action (e.g., restricting consumption or enforcing green policies) could lead to authoritarian control. |
Ecocide: |
The destruction of the natural environment by human activity, often viewed as a crime against humanity and the planet. |
Ecofascism: |
A term used to describe an authoritarian environmental movement that prioritizes environmental protection at the expense of human rights, sometimes linked to extremist ideologies. |
Ecological Footprint: |
A measure of human impact on the environment, often used in discussions about sustainability and the need to reduce consumption to mitigate climate change. |
Economic Boom: |
Supporters of Bill Clinton often credit him with overseeing a period of significant economic growth during his presidency, particularly in the 1990s. |
Economic Disruptors: |
Critics argue that Davos and the WEF promote disruptive economic policies, such as excessive automation and the gig economy, that displace workers and destabilize communities. |
Economic Exploiter: |
Critics claim that Western-led financial institutions, such as the IMF and World Bank, perpetuate inequality by imposing harmful neoliberal policies on developing countries in exchange for financial assistance. |
Economic Freedom Index: |
A ranking that measures the degree of economic freedom in various countries, often used by proponents of capitalism to argue that freer economies perform better. |
Economic Freedom: |
The belief that individuals should have the right to make their own economic decisions, including how to invest, produce, and consume, free from government interference. |
Economic Growth Engine: |
Western economic dominance, particularly through institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and trade agreements, is credited with fostering global economic growth and prosperity. |
Economic Growth Facilitator: |
The WEF, IMF, and World Bank are often credited for fostering international cooperation that supports economic growth and development, particularly in emerging economies. |
Economic Growth over Climate Action: |
A critique of climate change policies that argues environmental regulations and green initiatives stifle economic growth and create unnecessary burdens on businesses. |
Economic Hitman: |
A term popularized by critics to describe Western powers using economic leverage and coercion to control smaller countries through debt and financial dependency. |
Economic Imperialism: |
A policy of using economic influence or domination to control other nations, often seen as a justification for expansionist policies. |
Economic Interdependence: |
The concept that countries rely on each other for goods, services, and markets, making cooperation beneficial and reducing the likelihood of conflict. |
Economic Justice: |
A key principle of the populist left, emphasizing the need for wealth redistribution, progressive taxation, and social programs to reduce inequality. |
Economic Liberalism: |
A philosophy that emphasizes individual freedoms in the economic sphere, including free markets, private property, and minimal government intervention. |
Economic Liberalization: |
The process of opening up economies to global markets and reducing state intervention is seen as a way to boost growth and increase efficiency in resource allocation. |
Economic Maverick: |
Trump is credited by supporters with boosting the economy through deregulation, tax cuts, and pro-business policies that they argue created jobs and increased growth. |
Economic Nationalism: |
A stance against globalization that promotes the prioritization of national economic interests, protectionist policies, and the reduction of dependence on foreign markets. |
Economic Populism: |
A focus on policies that benefit the working class, often through protectionism, government intervention in the economy, or opposition to elites, used by both the left and right. |
Economic Sanctions: |
Penalties or restrictions placed on a country, such as trade barriers or financial limitations, to pressure it into changing its policies. |
Edge Computing: |
A method of processing data closer to where it’s generated, rather than relying on a centralized cloud. This reduces latency and enables real-time applications like autonomous vehicles and industrial automation. |
Edgelord: |
A person who posts intentionally offensive or controversial content online to appear rebellious, provocative, or "edgy," often seeking attention by pushing boundaries. |
Education Champion: |
Walz’s focus on increasing funding for public schools and advocating for educational equity resonates with supporters who prioritize improving education systems. |
Egghead: |
A derogatory term used to describe someone who is considered overly intellectual, impractical, or out of touch with practical reality. |
Election Integrity: |
A phrase frequently used by those who supported the January 6th rally, claiming their intent was to ensure fair elections and challenge what they believe were fraudulent results in 2020. |
Electrolyte Imbalance: |
A common issue in low-carb and keto diets, where low carb intake can lead to low levels of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. |
Elite Disguised as Populist: |
A criticism of Vance that points to his education at Yale Law School and his connections to Silicon Valley, suggesting he’s not truly an outsider. |
Elitist Disguised as Populist: |
Despite his populist rhetoric, some critics argue that Vance’s background in elite institutions and venture capitalism contradict his image as a representative of working-class America. |
Elitist Gathering: |
Critics often describe Davos as an exclusive club for the global elite, disconnected from the struggles of everyday people and focused on maintaining their wealth and power. |
Elitist: |
Accusing someone of acting as though they are superior in intellect or culture, often used to undermine their credibility by suggesting they are out of touch with ordinary people. |
Emails Scandal: |
A reference to the controversy over Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. Supporters view it as overblown, while critics argue it was a major breach of security. |
EMF Sensitivity: |
The belief that electromagnetic fields (from phones, Wi-Fi, etc.) cause physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting these claims. |
Emoticon: |
Text-based expressions of emotion, such as :-) for happy or :-/ for uncertain, widely used in early online communication (predecessor to emoji). |
Emotional Bandwidth: |
Refers to one’s capacity to handle emotional demands, often used to justify disengaging from stressful situations. It’s sometimes used condescendingly to imply that someone is emotionally overwhelmed or fragile. |
Emotional Dumping: |
A pop psychology term used to describe unloading emotional baggage onto someone without regard for their emotional bandwidth. It’s often used critically to suggest selfishness or a lack of emotional awareness. |
Emotional Intelligence (EQ): |
The ability to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions. It can be used condescendingly to imply that someone lacks awareness or maturity in handling their emotions. |
Emotional Labor: |
The effort involved in managing emotions, often used in the context of gender and work dynamics. It can be used critically or condescendingly to suggest that someone is doing more emotional work than others. |
Emotional Resilience: |
The ability to adapt and recover from emotional setbacks. It’s often used in self-help circles, but when wielded condescendingly, it implies that someone’s emotional struggles are due to personal weakness. |
Emotional Vampires: |
A term used to describe people who drain others’ emotional energy through constant negativity or neediness. It’s often thrown around condescendingly to label someone as overly dramatic or exhausting. |
Empath: |
A person who is highly sensitive to the emotions of others. Used in pop psychology to describe oneself as emotionally intuitive, it can sometimes carry a condescending tone when dismissing others as less emotionally aware. |
Empathetic Listening: |
The practice of listening to the experiences of marginalized individuals with empathy and understanding, without dismissing or diminishing their identity-based struggles. |
Empire of Capital: |
A critique of imperialism that focuses on how modern imperialism is driven by capitalist interests, particularly in the exploitation of resources and labor in the Global South. |
Empirical Chauvinism: |
The belief that empirical evidence is the only valid source of knowledge, often used to dismiss anything that cannot be directly observed or measured. |
Empirical Orthodoxy: |
A dogmatic adherence to empirical methods and evidence as the only valid way of understanding the world, often to the exclusion of subjective or interpretive insights. |
Empirical Supremacy: |
The idea that empirical evidence is the highest or only legitimate form of knowledge, dismissing alternative forms of knowledge like lived experience, philosophy, or art as less valid. |
Empirical Totalitarianism: |
A critique of the over-reliance on empirical data and scientific knowledge as the only valid form of decision-making, leading to authoritarian control that dismisses human experiences and moral concerns. |
Empiricism as Faith: |
A critique of the belief that empirical evidence is the only valid way of knowing, often suggesting that such an over-reliance on evidence borders on a form of faith or dogma. |
Empiricism: |
The belief that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience and observation. In scientism, this is often elevated to the exclusion of other ways of knowing, such as intuition or philosophy. |
Employee Resource Group (ERG): |
Voluntary, employee-led groups within companies that aim to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. ERGs often focus on race, ethnicity, gender, or other identity-based issues, providing support and advocacy within the organization. |
Empowerment through Identity: |
The belief that recognizing and embracing one's identity (such as being Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, etc.) can empower individuals and communities to challenge systemic oppression and demand equality. |
Empowerment: |
The process of giving women the confidence, authority, and power to take control of their own lives, often a key goal of feminist movements. |
End-Stage Capitalism: |
A left-wing critique suggesting that capitalism is in a late, destructive phase where wealth inequality, corporate consolidation, and environmental destruction are rampant. |
Endless Wars: |
A term used to describe ongoing military engagements, often seen as unnecessary or unjust, in which interventionist policies lead to prolonged conflicts with no clear resolution. |
Enduring Freedom: |
The name given to the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks. Critics argue it failed to bring lasting peace and stability to the region. |
Enemy of the Press: |
Nixon’s contentious relationship with the media is frequently criticized, particularly for his efforts to undermine and discredit journalists who reported on his scandals. |
Energy Healing: |
The practice of manipulating a person’s energy field to promote physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being. Practices like Reiki fall under this category. |
Energy Independence through Fossil Fuels: |
A common argument against climate change policies, claiming that reducing fossil fuel use weakens national energy security and economic stability. |
Energy Innovator: |
Carter is seen as forward-thinking for his focus on energy conservation and renewable energy, installing solar panels on the White House and promoting energy independence. |
Energy Medicine: |
A term for various pseudoscientific practices that claim to heal the body by manipulating invisible energy fields, such as Reiki or crystal healing. |
Energy Singularity: |
A theoretical point in the future where energy becomes nearly limitless and abundant, potentially due to breakthroughs in nuclear fusion, renewable energy, or other technologies. |
Energy Vampire: |
A term used to describe people who "drain" others' energy, often seen as toxic or negative individuals in spiritual circles. This concept has no scientific basis but is popular in woo-woo language. |
Engagement Farming: |
A practice where posts or content are designed specifically to generate likes, comments, and shares to manipulate social media algorithms, often without offering genuine content. |
Engagement Over Withdrawal: |
A critique of isolationism, arguing that disengagement from the world leaves a country vulnerable to global instability and reduces its influence. |
Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (EITs): |
A euphemism used by the Bush administration to describe practices like waterboarding and sleep deprivation used on detainees. Supporters argue that it was necessary for national security, while critics denounce it as torture. |
Enhanced Reality: |
A vision where technology blurs the lines between digital and physical reality, with augmented and virtual reality becoming an integral part of everyday life for work, socializing, and entertainment. |
Entrepreneurship: |
The process of starting and running businesses, celebrated in capitalist ideology as the driving force of economic innovation, job creation, and wealth accumulation. |
Environmental Advocate: |
Carter’s policies aimed at environmental protection, such as expanding national parks and protecting wilderness areas, are viewed positively by environmentalists. |
Environmental Advocates: |
The Squad is closely associated with climate action, particularly through their support for the Green New Deal and policies aimed at combating climate change. |
Environmental Crusader: |
A term used by RFK Jr.’s supporters to highlight his work on environmental issues, including his advocacy for clean water and renewable energy. |
Environmental Deregulation: |
Reagan is criticized for rolling back environmental protections and promoting policies that benefited corporate polluters at the expense of the environment. |
Environmental Deregulator: |
Critics accuse neoliberals of undermining environmental protections in favor of business interests, leading to environmental degradation and climate change. |
Environmental Justice: |
A movement that focuses on the intersection of environmental protection and social justice, ensuring that marginalized communities are not disproportionately harmed by environmental degradation. |
Environmental Neocolonialism: |
Critics argue that Western-led climate initiatives often impose restrictive environmental regulations on developing countries, limiting their ability to industrialize while the West continues to pollute. |
Environmental Racism: |
Refers to the disproportionate exposure of people of color and marginalized communities to environmental hazards, such as pollution, toxic waste, and inadequate access to clean water. It highlights the intersection of race and environmental justice. |
Environmental Reformer: |
Nixon is credited with creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and passing significant environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act. |
Epic Fail: |
A term used to describe a major failure or blunder, often shared on social media to mock someone’s misfortune or mistake. |
Epistemic Anarchy: |
A term used to criticize postmodernism for rejecting objective knowledge, leading to a chaotic intellectual environment where all ideas, even false or harmful ones, are treated equally. |
Epistemic Arrogance: |
The overconfidence in science as the only source of true knowledge, dismissing philosophy, ethics, arts, and religion as inferior or irrelevant. This critique is often directed toward proponents of scientism. |
Epistemic Closure: |
The phenomenon where individuals or groups become closed off from alternative viewpoints, relying only on specific sources of information that reinforce their existing beliefs, often seen in conspiracy theory communities. |
Epistemic Elitism: |
The belief that only those with scientific or technical expertise are capable of understanding or making decisions about complex issues, often excluding the general public from meaningful participation in democratic processes. |
Epistemic Overreach: |
The tendency for science or scientists to claim authority over areas outside of their discipline, such as ethics, religion, or subjective experiences. |
Epistemic Pluralism: |
The belief in multiple, competing ways of knowing and understanding the world, rejecting the idea of a single, objective truth or universal perspective. |
Epistemic Violence: |
Harm done to people by silencing their knowledge, particularly in marginalized communities. Accusing someone of epistemic violence implies they are contributing to the erasure of certain perspectives. |
Epistemological Dismissal: |
Rejecting someone's argument by claiming they lack the necessary theoretical framework or epistemological understanding to even engage in the debate, essentially shutting down the conversation by declaring the opponent intellectually unqualified. |
Epistemology: |
The study of knowledge, especially regarding its limits, sources, and validation. Often used to question the legitimacy of an opponent’s knowledge or understanding. |
Epstein Connection: |
Refers to allegations and conspiracy theories linking Bill Clinton to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Clinton’s critics suggest he was involved in Epstein’s illicit activities, though there is no concrete evidence to support these claims. |
Epstein Island: |
A reference to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, often associated with allegations of sex trafficking and underage abuse. Critics of Clinton, including conspiracy theorists, frequently claim he visited the island, though no verified evidence of misconduct has surfaced. |
Equal Opportunity (vs. Equity): |
Critics of identity politics often argue for equal opportunity, which means giving everyone the same chances, as opposed to equity, which adjusts resources to account for systemic inequalities. |
Equal Opportunity Employer: |
A designation for companies or institutions that affirm their commitment to hiring and promoting without discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other protected categories. |
Equity Audit: |
A process undertaken by organizations to assess how equitably opportunities and resources are distributed among employees or clients from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. It is used to identify and address systemic discrimination. |
Equity vs. Equality: |
Proponents of identity politics push for equity, which means giving different groups what they need to achieve equal outcomes. Critics often advocate for equality, where everyone is treated the same, arguing that focusing on differences undermines a unified approach to justice. |
Equivocation: |
A logical fallacy where a word or phrase is used ambiguously, often to mislead or obscure the truth, frequently encountered in political debates. |
Erasure: |
The act of ignoring, marginalizing, or making invisible the histories, contributions, or experiences of certain racial or ethnic groups. This term is often used to describe the exclusion of non-white histories from the dominant narrative. |
Escape the Matrix: |
A term used by Tate to encourage men to reject societal norms and expectations, especially regarding conventional work, relationships, and financial systems. |
Espionage Act: |
A legal framework that defines and penalizes acts of spying or intelligence gathering against a country. |
Esports: |
Competitive gaming, often played at a professional level, where teams or individuals compete in video game tournaments for prizes and recognition. |
Essential Oils: |
While some essential oils have therapeutic properties, they are often marketed as cure-alls for various health problems without any scientific evidence to back these claims. |
Essentialism: |
The belief that certain phenomena have an inherent, unchangeable essence. Intellectuals often use this term to accuse others of holding simplistic or regressive views that ignore social and cultural constructs. |
Essentializing: |
Reducing individuals or groups to a fixed, intrinsic essence, often dismissing the complexity of their identities or experiences. Used to accuse someone of stereotyping or simplifying social issues. |
Establishment Politician: |
Despite her progressive rhetoric, some critics argue that Harris is deeply entrenched in the Democratic establishment and serves corporate or elite interests. |
Ethical Blindness in Science: |
A critique of how some scientific endeavors may overlook ethical considerations in pursuit of knowledge, often leading to dehumanizing or morally questionable outcomes. |
Ethical Consumption: |
A movement promoting consumer choices that prioritize environmental sustainability, human rights, and animal welfare, often criticized as insufficient to address systemic issues. |
Ethical Dilemma: |
A situation where a decision must be made between two morally conflicting choices, often used in discussions about politics, technology, and bioethics (e.g., balancing privacy with security). |
Ethnic Cleansing: |
The removal of ethnic or racial groups from a particular area, typically through violence or other coercive means. Used in contexts of genocide or racial oppression. |
Ethnic Nationalism: |
A type of nationalism where the nation is defined by a shared ethnic identity. This concept is frequently linked to exclusionary or xenophobic ideologies that prioritize one ethnic group over others. |
Ethnic Studies: |
An interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to the study of race, ethnicity, and nationality, often with a focus on marginalized racial and ethnic groups. It challenges traditional Eurocentric curriculums. |
Ethno-Nationalism: |
The belief that a nation should be defined by a shared racial or ethnic identity, often used by far-right and white supremacist groups to justify exclusion or deportation of non-white groups. |
Ethnocentrism: |
The belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture, often leading to the judgment of other cultures based on one's own cultural norms. |
Ethnography: |
A method of studying cultures through direct observation and participation. Sometimes used to critique someone for lacking "on-the-ground" knowledge or firsthand experience of the communities they are discussing. |
Ethnonationalism: |
A form of nationalism that advocates for the political dominance of a particular ethnic group, often at the exclusion of others, promoting racial or ethnic purity. |
Ethnopluralism: |
A far-right concept advocating for the separation of different ethnic and cultural groups into distinct geographic regions, arguing that different cultures and races should remain separate to preserve their identities. |
Ethnostate: |
A concept of a racially or ethnically homogeneous state, often advocated by white supremacists who seek to exclude people of color or immigrants. |
Eugenics: |
A discredited pseudo-scientific movement that sought to improve the genetic "quality" of the human race by controlling who could reproduce, often used to justify forced sterilization and other racist policies. |
Euroscepticism: |
A political ideology that is critical of the European Union and advocates for reducing or ending a country’s membership in the EU, often associated with nationalist and far-right parties. |
Evangelism: |
The practice of spreading religious beliefs, particularly Christianity, to others, with a focus on converting individuals and growing religious communities. |
Evasion: |
Avoiding answering a question or directly addressing a point in an argument, often done by intellectuals using dense language or abstract concepts to divert attention. |
Evidence Fundamentalism: |
The notion that only evidence produced through scientific methods is valid, often used to dismiss anecdotal, cultural, or personal knowledge as irrelevant. |
Evidence Worship: |
The excessive reverence for empirical evidence to the exclusion of subjective, experiential, or philosophical insights. Critics of scientism often accuse adherents of this form of narrow-minded thinking. |
Evidence-Based Orthodoxy: |
The elevation of evidence-based practices to a near-religious status, where alternative perspectives or methodologies are dismissed as invalid or unscientific. |
Evidence-Based Salvation: |
The belief that all social, political, or moral issues can be solved solely through scientific evidence and empirical studies, often dismissing other forms of knowledge or insight. |
Evidence-Based Tyranny: |
The idea that decision-making solely based on empirical evidence or data can lead to authoritarian-like control, ignoring the complexity of human values, emotions, and social contexts. |
Evidential Chauvinism: |
A pejorative term used to describe the overemphasis on scientific evidence to the exclusion of other forms of knowledge, such as lived experience, moral reasoning, or philosophical inquiry. |
Evil Empire: |
A term used by Reagan to describe the Soviet Union, framing the Cold War as a moral struggle between good and evil. Supporters credit him with hastening the end of the Cold War, while critics viewed the rhetoric as dangerous and overly simplistic. |
Executive Privilege: |
The power claimed by the president or executive branch to resist certain subpoenas or other interventions by the legislative or judicial branches. |
Exocortex: |
An external extension of the brain using technology, allowing people to store memories, thoughts, or knowledge in external devices and interface with them seamlessly. |
Exogenous Ketones: |
Supplements that provide ketones directly to the body, purported to help achieve or maintain ketosis. |
Expansionist: |
NATO’s enlargement, particularly into Eastern Europe, is criticized by some as provocative and unnecessary, contributing to tensions with Russia and potentially sparking conflict. |
Exploitation of Labor: |
A Marxist critique of capitalism, arguing that workers are exploited under the capitalist system because the value they produce exceeds their wages, with the surplus going to capitalists. |
Exploitation: |
The act of taking advantage of workers by paying them less than the value of their labor, central to capitalist profit-making. |
Exponential Growth: |
The rapid acceleration of technological development, often used to describe fields like AI, computing power (Moore's Law), or biotech that grow at an exponential rate rather than a linear one. |
Exponential Organizations: |
Companies or organizations whose impact (or output) is disproportionately large compared to their size, often by leveraging technology, networks, and new business models. |
Extinction Rebellion (XR): |
A global environmental movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience to force governments to take action on climate change. |
Extinction Rebellion: |
A global environmental movement using non-violent civil disobedience to protest government inaction on climate change, praised by activists but seen as extreme by some critics. |
Extremists: |
A term often used by governments and mainstream media to describe individuals or groups that hold radical views and resort to violence to promote their ideology. It is typically used negatively. |
Fact Fundamentalism: |
An over-reliance on facts and scientific evidence in debates or decision-making, dismissing subjective, ethical, or moral considerations as irrelevant. This often leads to a rigid, fact-only worldview. |
Fact Over Faith: |
The idea that empirical facts are superior to religious, spiritual, or moral beliefs, often criticized as being dismissive of the value of non-scientific ways of knowing. |
Fact Worship: |
The belief that empirical facts, often in the form of statistics or scientific findings, are the ultimate arbiters of truth, often dismissing more subjective or contextual forms of knowledge. |
Fact-Checker’s Bias: |
A critique often leveled at fact-checking organizations, suggesting that their conclusions are influenced by political or ideological biases, even if they claim to be neutral. |
Fact-Checking: |
A process used by media organizations and researchers to verify the truthfulness of claims made in public discourse, often in response to conspiracy theories or misinformation. |
Failed Economic Policies: |
Carter is often criticized for presiding over high inflation, unemployment, and gas shortages, which many argue contributed to economic instability. |
Faith Community: |
Refers to a group of individuals who share religious beliefs and practices, often used to emphasize the positive social support provided by religious organizations. |
Faith in Progress: |
A belief in the continual progress of humanity through science and technology, sometimes critiqued as a form of quasi-religious faith in the ability of science to solve all problems. |
Faith-Based Initiatives: |
Programs or policies that incorporate religious organizations into providing social services, emphasizing the role of religion in public welfare. |
Fake News: |
A term Trump popularized to describe media outlets and journalists that he believed were biased against him or spreading misinformation. This term has since been used to attack media credibility by both sides of the political spectrum. |
Fallacy of Accident: |
Applying a general rule to a specific case where it does not apply. Example: "All speeding is illegal, so even that ambulance driver should be fined for speeding." |
Fallacy of Composition: |
Assuming that what is true of a part is necessarily true of the whole. |
Fallacy of Division: |
Assuming that what is true of the whole must be true for the individual parts. Example: "This organization is corrupt, so every employee must be corrupt." |
Fallacy of Relative Privation (Not as Bad as): |
Dismissing an issue or argument by comparing it to something worse. Example: "Why are you complaining about police violence? People in other countries have it much worse." |
False Analogy: |
Comparing two things that are not truly comparable in an effort to prove a point. Example: "Running a country is like running a business, so we should apply business principles to governance." |
False Attribution (Ghost Citation): |
Referring to an alleged source or expert without providing concrete evidence, or using an incorrect citation to give false credibility. Example: "Studies show that climate change is a hoax, but not naming the studies." |
False Attribution: |
Ascribing a cause to an effect without adequate evidence. Example: "The economy improved after this president took office, so he must be responsible." |
False Balance: |
Presenting two sides of an issue as if they are equally valid, when one is supported by much stronger evidence than the other. Example: Giving climate change deniers the same platform as climate scientists. |
False Cause (Cum Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc): |
Assuming that because two events occur together, one must be the cause of the other. Example: "Every time I go to the beach, it rains. My presence must be causing it." |
False Cause (Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc): |
Assuming that because one event follows another, the first caused the second. Example: "Ever since that politician was elected, crime has gone up. Therefore, he’s responsible for the crime increase." |
False Cause (Post Hoc Fallacy): |
Assuming that because one thing occurred after another, it must have been caused by the first thing, often used to falsely connect unrelated events or policies. |
False Consciousness: |
A Marxist concept suggesting that people are unaware of their real interests due to being misled by the dominant ideology. Used to imply that an opponent doesn’t understand the true nature of their oppression or situation. |
False Consensus Effect: |
The assumption that everyone shares the same opinion or belief as oneself, or that the majority holds a belief based on personal experience or bias. Example: "Everyone I know agrees that this law is a bad idea, so it must be." |
False Dichotomy (False Dilemma): |
Presenting two options as the only possibilities when, in fact, more exist. Example: "You're either with us, or you're against us." |
False Dichotomy: |
A fallacy that presents two opposing options as the only possible choices, ignoring other viable alternatives. |
False Dilemma (False Dichotomy): |
Presenting only two options or outcomes when in reality there are more possibilities. Example: "You’re either with us or against us." |
False Equivalence: |
A logical fallacy where two opposing arguments or situations are falsely presented as equal in value, morality, or importance, often used to dismiss or downplay one side of a debate. |
False Flag Operation: |
A covert operation designed to deceive, making it appear as if it is carried out by a party or nation other than the actual one responsible. |
False Flag: |
A conspiracy theory term suggesting that 9/11 was a deliberate attack carried out by the government or allowed to happen as a pretext for war and increased government control. |
False Surrender: |
A military tactic where a group pretends to surrender or retreat in order to lure the enemy into a vulnerable position. Once the enemy drops their guard, the attacking force resumes combat, often catching the enemy off-guard. This tactic is considered a violation of the laws of war and is generally condemned under international law, as it undermines trust in the use of surrender as a legitimate act of war. It's often associated with deception, trickery, and dishonorable conduct in warfare. |
Falsifiability: |
A criterion for scientific theories, which suggests that a theory must be capable of being proven false. Often used to dismiss someone’s argument as being unscientific or intellectually inadequate. |
Family Values: |
A term often used to promote conservative Christian beliefs about marriage, sexuality, and family structure, including opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion. |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): |
A document or page addressing common questions in a community or on a website. |
Far-Left Demagogue: |
Dore is sometimes criticized for pushing far-left ideas that are seen as unrealistic or overly radical, even by some progressives. |
Far-Left Radical: |
Conservatives often paint Walz as too progressive, aligning him with the far-left wing of the Democratic Party and criticizing his policies on climate, policing, and education as out of touch with more moderate voters. |
Fascism: |
A far-right, authoritarian ideology that promotes extreme nationalism, dictatorial power, and the suppression of opposition, often glorifying military strength and violence. |
Fascist: |
A term used to describe individuals or groups that promote authoritarian, nationalist, and oppressive ideologies; often used broadly by Antifa to describe far-right movements. |
Fast and Furious: |
A scandal involving a failed operation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, where guns were allowed to flow into the hands of Mexican drug cartels. Critics used this to attack Obama’s law enforcement policies. |
Fat Bombs: |
Small, high-fat snacks often made from ingredients like butter, coconut oil, or cream cheese, used in keto diets to maintain fat intake. |
Fat-Adapted: |
A term used to describe when the body has become efficient at using fat as its primary source of fuel, often the goal of the keto and carnivore diets. |
Fear of Success: |
A pop psychology explanation for why some people subconsciously sabotage themselves when they are on the path to achieving their goals. It can be used dismissively to suggest someone’s failures are self-inflicted. |
Fear-Mongering: |
The act of spreading exaggerated or alarming rumors to create fear, often used to criticize conspiracy theories that rely on inducing panic or mistrust. |
Fearless Debater: |
AOC is praised for her sharp questioning and confrontational style during Congressional hearings, where she holds corporate executives and government officials accountable. |
Female Nature: |
The Red Pill community frequently refers to this concept, suggesting that women’s behaviors are biologically driven and often manipulative or self-serving in relationships. |
Female Supremacy: |
A term used by opponents of feminism to argue that the movement seeks to elevate women above men, rather than achieving true gender equality. |
Feminazi: |
A derogatory term used to criticize feminists perceived as aggressive or overly zealous in their pursuit of gender equality, suggesting that they are intolerant of opposing views. |
Feminist Overreach: |
A critique suggesting that feminism has already achieved its goals and now seeks unnecessary or excessive changes in society, particularly in areas like workplace equality or gender roles. |
Feminist Solidarity: |
The practice of women supporting one another in the struggle for gender equality, promoting collective action and empowerment. |
Fence-Sitter: |
Critics accuse Pool of avoiding strong political stances, often hedging his positions to appeal to both left and right audiences. |
Fence-Sitting: |
A colloquial term for refusing to take a firm stance on an issue, often perceived as indecisive or avoiding responsibility. |
Fetal Personhood: |
The belief that a fetus should be legally recognized as a person with rights, often used to argue for the legal protection of unborn life. |
Fetal Viability: |
The point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb, often used in legal arguments about when abortions should be permitted. |
Fifth Column: |
A group within a country who are secretly working to undermine or betray it, often in support of an external enemy. |
Fight Club: |
A reference used within the Proud Boys to describe the group’s propensity for engaging in physical confrontations and street brawls during protests or counter-protests. |
Fight for $15: |
The populist left is credited with pushing for a $15 minimum wage, seeing it as a necessary step toward economic fairness and reducing poverty. |
Fighter for Justice: |
Supporters view Harris as a staunch advocate for justice, equality, and civil rights, particularly for marginalized communities. |
Filibuster: |
A political procedure in which one or more members of a legislative body delay or prevent a vote on a proposal by extending debate on the measure. |
Filter Bubble: |
A situation in which an internet user is exposed only to information or opinions that align with their pre-existing beliefs due to algorithm-driven recommendations, limiting their exposure to diverse perspectives. |
Financial Colonialism: |
A term used to describe how Western-led financial institutions, like the IMF and World Bank, impose austerity measures on developing nations in exchange for loans, perpetuating dependency. |
Financial Freedom: |
A key concept in Tate’s brand, emphasizing the importance of men becoming financially independent to gain power and control over their lives. |
Financialization: |
A term describing the increasing dominance of financial motives and markets in shaping economic policy and corporate strategies, often critiqued for prioritizing short-term profits over long-term value. |
Finsta (Fake Instagram): |
A secondary, often private Instagram account where users post content they wouldn’t share on their main account, usually to a smaller, trusted group of friends. |
First Degree/Second Degree/Third Degree/Etc.: |
The internal ranking system within the Proud Boys based on the level of involvement and commitment to the group, with higher degrees involving more participation in violence or protests. |
First Female President (Almost): |
A term used by supporters to highlight that Clinton came closer than any woman in U.S. history to winning the presidency, emphasizing her trailblazing role in politics. |
Fiscal Responsibility: |
Neoliberalism is often lauded for promoting balanced budgets and reducing government debt through fiscal austerity and disciplined public spending. |
Flame War: |
A heated, often aggressive exchange of insults between users in an online discussion, typically escalating quickly. |
Flame: |
A hostile or insulting message or response intended to provoke or offend someone in an online discussion. |
Flamebait: |
A post or message specifically intended to provoke an angry or heated response, often leading to a "flame war." |
Flat Earth Theory: |
A pseudoscientific belief that the Earth is flat rather than a sphere, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. |
Flatten the Curve: |
A phrase used during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic to encourage behaviors that would slow the virus’s spread and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system. |
Flex: |
To show off or boast about something, especially material possessions or achievements. |
Flight Logs: |
Refers to the documented flight records of individuals who flew on Epstein’s private jet, including high-profile figures like Bill Clinton. Conspiracy theorists often focus on these logs to suggest the involvement of elites in Epstein’s illegal activities. |
Fluoridation Conspiracy: |
The belief that adding fluoride to drinking water is a government plot to harm the population, despite widespread scientific consensus that fluoridation prevents tooth decay. |
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): |
A social anxiety driven by the belief that others are experiencing something more rewarding or exciting, often exacerbated by social media. |
FOMO: |
Fear of Missing Out. This describes the anxiety that one is missing out on fun experiences. It can be used condescendingly to mock someone for being overly concerned with what others are doing. |
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): |
Investments made by a company or individual in one country in business interests in another country, often seen as a key benefit of globalization as it promotes economic growth. |
Foreign Policy Fumbles: |
Carter is criticized for his handling of the Iran hostage crisis and his perceived weakness in responding to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. |
Foreign Policy Mastermind: |
Nixon is often praised for his foreign policy achievements, particularly his opening of diplomatic relations with China and détente with the Soviet Union. |
Foreign Relations Pioneer: |
His opening of relations with China is often regarded as one of the most important diplomatic moves of the 20th century, praised by those who admire his international diplomacy. |
Fork Bomb: |
A type of denial-of-service attack where a process continually replicates itself, overwhelming system resources. |
Fork: |
In software development, when a project splits into two independent projects based on the same codebase. |
Fortress Europe: |
A term used by European nationalists who support strict border control and anti-immigration policies, seeking to "protect" Europe from foreign influence or immigration. |
Fortress Mentality: |
The belief that a country should protect its borders, economy, and culture by avoiding entanglements with other nations, focusing instead on internal security and sovereignty. |
Forward Defense: |
The idea that it is better to engage in conflicts or interventions far from one’s own borders to protect national security and interests before they reach domestic soil. |
Fossil Fuel Divestment: |
A movement to encourage institutions (universities, governments, businesses) to stop investing in fossil fuel companies to combat climate change. |
Fourteen Words and 88 Precepts: |
A combination of white nationalist slogans, often abbreviated to "14/88," used by neo-Nazis to promote their ideology of white supremacy. |
Fourth Estate: |
A term referring to the press or media, highlighting its role in holding power accountable, often discussed in relation to media bias and freedom of the press. |
FPO (Freedom Party of Austria): |
A right-wing populist political party in Austria that emphasizes anti-immigration policies, nationalism, and opposition to the European Union. |
FPS (First-Person Shooter): |
A video game genre where the gameplay is centered around gun combat from a first-person perspective. |
Fragmentation of Meaning: |
A critique of postmodernism, suggesting that by rejecting universal truths and encouraging multiple interpretations, postmodernism leads to a breakdown in shared meaning and understanding. |
Fragmentation of the Left: |
A critique from some leftists who argue that identity politics divides progressive movements by focusing on specific identity-based grievances instead of fostering a unified class struggle. |
Fragmentation: |
A postmodern approach to identity and narrative, rejecting the idea of unified, cohesive subjects or stories in favor of complexity, multiplicity, and broken structures. |
Framing Effect: |
When someone’s decisions or opinions are influenced by how information is presented rather than the information itself. |
Framing: |
The way an issue or event is presented to the public, often designed to elicit a specific reaction or interpretation. |
Free Healthcare: |
A commonly cited point of pride for many Canadians, referring to Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system. Critics argue it has long wait times and inefficiencies, while supporters defend it as more equitable than the U.S. system. |
Free Market Advocate: |
Neoliberals are praised for promoting free markets and deregulation, arguing that open competition leads to innovation, efficiency, and economic growth. |
Free Market Champion: |
Supporters praise Reagan for promoting free-market capitalism, lowering taxes, and deregulating industries, which they argue led to economic growth. |
Free Market: |
An economic system in which prices and production are controlled by private businesses and individuals, with minimal government intervention, seen as a core tenet of capitalism. |
Free Palestine: |
A rallying cry for those advocating for Palestinian statehood and an end to Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. |
Free Speech Advocate: |
Gabbard has been praised for her stance on protecting civil liberties, including free speech and opposition to censorship. |
Free Speech Champion: |
Carlson is often praised by his supporters as a defender of free speech, especially in the face of what they perceive as liberal censorship. |
Free Speech Defender: |
Curry’s commitment to unfiltered, uncensored dialogue on his podcast has garnered support from those who value free speech in media. |
Free Speech Rally: |
Events often organized by far-right groups under the guise of defending free speech, which often serve as platforms for spreading nationalist, xenophobic, and anti-leftist ideologies. |
Free Speech vs. Safe Spaces: |
Critics argue that the focus on safe spaces in identity politics infringes on free speech by preventing open dialogue, particularly around controversial or difficult topics. |
Free Thinker: |
Brand is admired for challenging mainstream political and cultural narratives, often exploring unconventional ideas and promoting open-mindedness. |
Free Trade Advocate: |
Establishment figures are often seen as supporters of free trade agreements, which they argue promote global economic growth, job creation, and peace through interdependence. |
Free Trade: |
The removal of barriers to trade between nations, such as tariffs and quotas, to promote the efficient allocation of resources and economic growth. |
Freedom Fighter: |
A term used to describe individuals or groups who fight against oppression, often celebrated by their supporters. However, critics may label the same individuals as terrorists |
Freedom Fries: |
A term popularized during the Iraq War when some Americans began renaming French fries in protest of France’s opposition to the U.S. invasion. Critics mocked this as an example of jingoism and pettiness. |
Freedom of Conscience: |
The right to act according to one’s deeply held moral or religious beliefs, often cited in cases of religious exemptions or opposition to secular laws. |
Freethinker: |
A person who forms opinions based on reason, independent of authority, tradition, or religious dogma, commonly associated with atheists and agnostics. |
Frequency Healing: |
The belief that certain sound frequencies or vibrations can heal physical or emotional conditions, often promoted without scientific support. |
Fridays for Future: |
A youth-led global climate strike movement, initiated by Greta Thunberg, calling for urgent government action to address climate change. |
Friendster: |
One of the earliest social media networks, pre-dating Facebook and MySpace, originally focused on connecting friends before it pivoted to become a gaming site. |
Front Company: |
A legitimate-seeming business used to provide cover for covert operations or intelligence activities. |
Front Organization: |
A seemingly legitimate organization set up as a cover for espionage, covert activities, or illegal operations. |
Frontier Spirit: |
A metaphor often used to justify bold, adventurous actions abroad, drawing from a nation’s historical tradition of exploration or expansion. |
Frontline Communities: |
Communities, often marginalized, that are on the front lines of environmental and climate crises, experiencing the first and worst effects of climate change. |
FTW (For The Win): |
An internet acronym used to express enthusiasm for something or someone that is seen as victorious or successful. |
Fully Automated Luxury Communism: |
A futuristic political and economic idea where advances in automation and AI could provide a post-scarcity society, allowing for abundant resources, leisure, and equality. |
Functional Training: |
Exercises that mimic real-world movements and improve overall functional strength, coordination, and balance, often involving compound movements. |
Fundamental Transformation of America: |
A phrase Obama used during his presidency, celebrated by his supporters as a call for necessary social change and attacked by critics as a signal of a socialist agenda. |
Fusion Power: |
A potential energy source that mimics the process powering the sun, offering near-limitless, clean energy by fusing atomic nuclei, with ongoing research seeking to make this a reality in the future. |
Gains: |
Slang for increases in muscle size or strength resulting from exercise and nutrition. |
Game Theory: |
A term used in the manosphere, particularly in pick-up artist (PUA) communities, to describe strategies for attracting women, based on behavioral psychology and social dynamics. |
Gaslighting: |
Manipulating someone into questioning their own reality or beliefs, often by denying facts, lying, or misrepresenting events. Example: "You’re overreacting, that never happened the way you’re saying it did." |
Gatekeeping: |
Describes the act of controlling or limiting access to something, whether it’s knowledge, communities, or culture. It’s often used to call out elitism or snobbery but can also be wielded condescendingly to accuse someone of exclusivity. |
Gavi (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization): |
Often cited by supporters as one of Gates’ most significant contributions to global health. Critics, particularly in conspiracy circles, claim it is part of a wider control agenda. |
Gay Lifestyle: |
A term used by opponents to frame LGBTQ+ identities as a choice or lifestyle rather than an inherent identity. |
Gay Pride: |
The celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, often represented by pride parades and events that affirm the community’s rights and visibility. |
Gaza Blockade: |
The restriction of goods, services, and people into and out of Gaza by Israel, widely criticized as a humanitarian crisis and collective punishment of civilians. |
Gender Dysphoria: |
A medical condition where an individual experiences distress due to a mismatch between their gender identity and the sex assigned at birth, often used to justify access to gender-affirming care. |
Gender Equality: |
The belief that all genders should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment, a central tenet of feminism. |
Gender Identity: |
Refers to an individual’s internal sense of their gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned to them at birth. |
Gender Ideology: |
A term used by critics to describe what they view as a harmful set of beliefs about gender being socially constructed rather than biologically determined. |
Gender Justice: |
A framework that addresses inequalities based on gender and is often linked to identity politics efforts to fight sexism, misogyny, and the marginalization of non-binary and transgender individuals. |
Gender Quotas: |
A policy that sets minimum percentages of women in leadership roles, often criticized by anti-feminists as unfairly privileging gender over merit. |
Gender Reductionism: |
The oversimplification of gender dynamics, where men and women are reduced to stereotypical roles, often used to criticize the Red Pill community’s views on relationships. |
Gender-Affirming Care: |
Medical care that supports a person’s gender transition, including hormone therapy and surgeries, often framed as essential healthcare by trans rights advocates. |
Gene Editing (CRISPR): |
A revolutionary technology that allows for precise modifications of DNA, enabling the possibility of curing genetic diseases, improving human capabilities, or even designing future generations. |
General Strike: |
A strike action in which a substantial proportion of the workforce across many industries and regions ceases work to demand political or economic change. |
Generation Identity: |
A European far-right youth movement that opposes immigration, Islam, and globalism, advocating for the preservation of national and ethnic identities. |
Genetic Fallacy: |
Judging an argument based on its source rather than its merit. Example: "That argument must be wrong because it came from a biased news outlet." |
Genetic Immortality: |
The idea that future genetic engineering could allow humans to prevent aging or reverse age-related degeneration, leading to the possibility of near-immortality through biological enhancements. |
Geneva Conventions: |
International treaties outlining the standards for humane treatment of prisoners of war. Critics of enhanced interrogation argue that the U.S. violated the Geneva Conventions during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. |
Genocide: |
A term used by some critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, suggesting that the scale and intensity of the strikes against Palestinians amount to ethnic cleansing or genocide. |
Gentrification as Displacement: |
Although gentrification refers to the economic revitalization of urban areas, it often leads to the displacement of longstanding communities of color. This term critiques the racial impact of gentrification, particularly in cities. |
Geocities: |
A web hosting service that allowed users to create personal websites, popular in the early days of the internet and known for its often chaotic and unpolished design. |
Geopolitical Strategy: |
Refers to the practice of using intervention or bold actions in international relations to gain strategic advantages, often associated with a proactive foreign policy. |
Geopolitics: |
The study or application of the influence of geography (human and physical) on international politics and power relations. |
Gerrymandering: |
The manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a particular political party or group. |
GG (Good Game): |
A phrase used to show sportsmanship after an online game, indicating that the game was enjoyable regardless of the outcome. |
Ghosting: |
Disappearing from someone's life, especially in dating, without explanation or warning. Used in a critical or condescending way to point out poor communication. |
Gig Economy: |
Refers to the labor market characterized by short-term, freelance, or contract work, often facilitated by digital platforms like Uber or Fiverr. Critics argue that it leads to job insecurity and lacks benefits. |
Gipper: |
A nickname for Reagan, stemming from his role as George Gipp in the film Knute Rockne, All American. It became a term of endearment among supporters, symbolizing Reagan’s resilience and all-American image. |
Gish Gallop: |
A debate tactic involving overwhelming an opponent with numerous arguments, without regard to the accuracy or strength of those arguments. |
Glass Ceiling: |
A metaphor used to describe the invisible barriers that prevent people of color and women from advancing to higher positions in organizations, despite their qualifications. |
Glass Cliff: |
A phenomenon where women or people of color are promoted to leadership positions during times of crisis, making them more likely to fail or face greater scrutiny, often due to systemic inequalities within the organization. |
Global Bully: |
Detractors argue that Western nations, particularly through NATO and the UN Security Council, act as global bullies, enforcing their agendas through military might and sanctions. |
Global Bureaucracy: |
Critics often view the UN as an ineffective, bloated bureaucracy that fails to solve global problems efficiently and is disconnected from the needs of everyday people. |
Global Capitalism: |
A critique of globalization that emphasizes how global economic systems prioritize profits and corporate interests over workers' rights, environmental sustainability, and social justice. |
Global Citizenship: |
The idea that individuals should think and act as members of a global community, prioritizing international solidarity and cooperation over national interests. |
Global Commons: |
Refers to shared resources, such as the oceans, atmosphere, and space, which global institutions work to protect and manage for the benefit of all humanity. |
Global Cooperation Hub: |
The WEF and Davos are praised for fostering dialogue and cooperation between world leaders, corporations, and NGOs to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change and inequality. |
Global Cooperation Proponent: |
The belief that the world’s greatest challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, and terrorism, require global cooperation, often facilitated by Western-led institutions. |
Global Development Leader: |
The WEF’s role in addressing issues like poverty, inequality, and healthcare access in developing nations is seen as an important contribution to global progress. |
Global Elite Pedophile Ring: |
A broader conspiracy theory that suggests a network of powerful figures, including politicians, celebrities, and business moguls (like Bill Clinton and Epstein), are involved in child exploitation. This theory ties into broader anti-elitist and anti-globalist sentiments. |
Global Engagement: |
The belief that nations should participate actively in international affairs to promote peace, security, and economic prosperity, often in opposition to isolationism. |
Global Governance Framework: |
Western-led institutions like the UN, WTO, and IMF are praised for providing a governance framework that helps maintain international stability and facilitates cooperation on global issues. |
Global Governance Leader: |
The WEF and Davos are praised for bringing together world leaders, corporations, and NGOs to collaborate on global issues, including economic inequality and sustainability. |
Global Governance: |
The idea that globalization empowers international organizations like the United Nations or World Trade Organization at the expense of national governments, often seen as undermining democratic control. |
Global Health Champion: |
A phrase used by proponents to praise Gates for his work on global health issues, particularly his efforts to eradicate diseases like malaria and polio. |
Global Health Collaborator: |
The WEF has been recognized for its role in facilitating collaboration during global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by bringing together public and private stakeholders. |
Global Health Dictator: |
A term used by anti-vaccine activists and conspiracy theorists to describe Gates, suggesting that his financial contributions to vaccine development give him undue influence over global health decisions. |
Global Health Guardian: |
The role of organizations like the WHO is often celebrated for coordinating responses to global health crises such as pandemics and facilitating access to vaccines and treatments. |
Global Inequality Enabler: |
Critics argue that Western hegemony has contributed to global inequality, with the Global North benefiting disproportionately from global wealth at the expense of the Global South. |
Global Integration: |
The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries through trade, investment, and communication. |
Global Leadership: |
The idea that powerful nations, like the U.S., have a responsibility to lead on global issues, such as human rights, security, and trade, opposing isolationist tendencies. |
Global Peace Architecture: |
Refers to the structures, such as NATO and the UN, that are seen as maintaining global peace through diplomacy, collective security, and conflict prevention. |
Global Peacekeeper: |
Supporters of Western hegemony argue that the dominance of Western powers, particularly the U.S., has helped maintain global peace and prevent large-scale conflicts since World War II. |
Global Policeman: |
A pejorative term used by critics to describe NATO’s role in international conflicts, accusing it of acting as a self-appointed global enforcer without legitimate authority. |
Global Responsibility: |
The belief that nations, especially powerful ones, have a moral obligation to engage with and help resolve global challenges, such as poverty, climate change, and conflict. |
Global Stability Protector: |
Establishment institutions like NATO, the UN, and the WEF are praised for maintaining global stability, preventing conflicts, and promoting international cooperation. |
Global Supply Chain: |
Refers to the interconnected system of production, trade, and transport that spans the globe, often discussed in terms of vulnerabilities (e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic). |
Global Warming Hoax: |
A conspiracy theory that argues the concept of climate change has been invented or exaggerated for political or financial reasons, often used by climate change deniers. |
Globalism: |
A term used by populist nationalists to describe policies or ideologies that prioritize international cooperation and global governance at the expense of national sovereignty. |
Globalist Agenda Enforcer: |
The UN is accused of pushing a globalist agenda that seeks to impose liberal, Western values on the rest of the world, particularly in areas like human rights and climate change. |
Globalist Cabal: |
A pejorative term used by critics to describe organizations like the WEF, Davos, and the UN as elitist entities pushing globalist agendas that undermine national sovereignty. |
Globalist Elitism: |
A term used to criticize the belief that global elites, through organizations like the WEF and Davos, impose top-down control over national policies without regard for local needs. |
Globalist Puppet: |
A term used by anti-establishment critics to describe leaders who are seen as being controlled or heavily influenced by international organizations like the UN or WEF, rather than serving their own nations. |
Globalist Puppetmasters: |
Detractors claim that the WEF and Davos function as behind-the-scenes puppetmasters, influencing global policies that serve elite interests at the expense of national sovereignty. |
Globalists: |
A term used in conspiracy circles to describe a group of elites or international organizations (such as the United Nations or World Economic Forum) allegedly working to undermine national sovereignty and establish global control. |
Globalization Champion: |
Neoliberals are often associated with promoting globalization, advocating for free trade and international cooperation as pathways to prosperity. |
Globalization Exploiter: |
Detractors argue that neoliberal globalization leads to exploitation, particularly of workers in developing countries, and creates global inequality. |
Gluconeogenesis: |
The process by which the liver produces glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (like proteins and fats), crucial for sustaining energy on a ketogenic diet. |
God Delusion: |
A phrase popularized by atheist activist Richard Dawkins, suggesting that belief in God is irrational and a product of delusion or superstition. |
Godless Society: |
A term used by critics to describe a society that has rejected religious values and beliefs, often seen as a pejorative term by religious conservatives. |
Godlessness: |
A term embraced by some atheists to describe a life lived without belief in gods or religious practices. |
Godwin's Law: |
The observation that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 100%. |
Godwin’s Law: |
An internet adage asserting that as an online discussion grows longer, the likelihood of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 100%. |
Golden Dawn: |
A Greek ultranationalist and neo-fascist political party that promotes anti-immigration, anti-Semitism, and anti-Muslim rhetoric, often involved in violent street confrontations. |
Golden Mean Fallacy: |
A logical fallacy where a compromise between two conflicting sides is assumed to be the most reasonable solution, even when one side may be clearly more valid. |
Good Governance Advocate: |
The administrative state and global institutions are often credited for promoting good governance practices worldwide, encouraging transparency, accountability, and democracy. |
Good Guy with a Gun: |
A phrase used to argue that armed, law-abiding citizens can prevent or stop crime, particularly mass shootings or other violent incidents. |
Google+: |
Google’s social networking platform designed to compete with Facebook, which eventually shut down due to lack of user engagement. |
Grand Narrative: |
The overarching, all-encompassing story or ideology that explains events or concepts. Often used to dismiss someone’s argument as being based on an outdated or totalizing narrative. |
Grand Narratives: |
Postmodernism rejects the idea of overarching, universal stories or ideologies (like Enlightenment, progress, or science), but critics argue that abandoning these narratives leads to cultural disintegration. |
Grandiloquence: |
Speaking or writing in a lofty, extravagant, or pompous manner, often without real substance, to give the impression of being profound or important. |
Grandstander: |
AOC is criticized for seeking attention and fame rather than focusing on practical legislative achievements, often accused of using social media for self-promotion. |
Grassroots Leaders: |
The Squad is often praised for their grassroots campaigns and connections to activist movements, reflecting their commitment to community-driven change. |
Grassroots Movement: |
Populist movements on both sides are often seen as authentic grassroots efforts, driven by ordinary citizens who feel left behind by the establishment. |
Gray Propaganda: |
Propaganda whose source is not explicitly identified, intended to confuse the target about the origin and purpose of the message. |
Great Communicator: |
Reagan is praised for his ability to connect with the American people through his speeches, often cited as one of the greatest public speakers in presidential history. |
Great Replacement Theory: |
A white nationalist conspiracy theory that suggests non-white populations, particularly immigrants, are systematically replacing white populations in Western countries, often used to incite racial fear. |
Great Replacement: |
A conspiracy theory popular in Europe and North America that suggests that white, Christian populations are being systematically replaced by immigrants, particularly from Muslim-majority countries. |
Great Reset Conspiracy: |
A pejorative term referring to the WEF’s "Great Reset" initiative, which critics claim is a cover for a globalist plot to reshape the world economy for the benefit of elites. |
Green Economy: |
An economic model that emphasizes sustainability and environmental protection, proposing a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy as a way to combat climate change. |
Green New Deal Architect: |
AOC is credited with being one of the driving forces behind the Green New Deal, a bold legislative proposal aimed at addressing climate change and economic inequality. |
Green New Deal Delusion: |
Detractors of the Green New Deal often use this term to criticize the proposal as financially unfeasible and potentially harmful to industries such as fossil fuels and manufacturing. |
Green New Deal Proponent: |
Supporters of the populist left champion the Green New Deal as a transformative policy to address both economic inequality and climate change. |
Green New Deal: |
A proposal for comprehensive government intervention to address climate change and economic inequality through investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and green jobs. |
Green Utopian: |
Detractors criticize populist left policies like the Green New Deal as unrealistic and economically destructive, arguing that they would hurt businesses and jobs. |
Greenwashing: |
A critique of companies or governments that present themselves as environmentally friendly while continuing practices that contribute to environmental degradation, used both by climate advocates to criticize corporate hypocrisy and by deniers to claim superficial efforts are overblown. |
Griefer: |
A player in an online game who deliberately harasses or irritates others, often by ruining their in-game experience. |
Grievance Politics: |
A dismissive term used by critics of identity politics to suggest that activists focus excessively on grievances and complaints about systemic injustice, rather than seeking constructive solutions. |
Grifter: |
A common critique is that Pool exploits political divisions and stokes fear to gain viewership, especially in his coverage of culture wars. |
Grinding: |
Repetitive in-game tasks or battles done to earn experience points, currency, or loot. |
Grounding: |
The practice of physically or energetically connecting with the Earth, such as walking barefoot on grass or using grounding mats, believed to stabilize the body’s energy. |
Groupthink: |
A psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony and consensus within a group leads individuals to suppress dissenting opinions or critical thinking, often associated with conspiracy theory communities. |
Guantanamo Bay: |
The U.S. military prison in Cuba known for holding terrorism suspects without trial and subjecting them to enhanced interrogation techniques. It remains a symbol of U.S. human rights abuses in the post-9/11 era. |
Guerrilla Warfare: |
A form of irregular warfare in which small, mobile groups of fighters use hit-and-run tactics, sabotage, and ambushes to fight larger, conventional forces. |
Guild/Clan: |
A group of players who band together in MMORPGs or online multiplayer games to achieve common goals or play together regularly. |
Gulag: |
Refers to Soviet labor camps, often used by critics of communism to argue that communist states resort to repression and mass incarceration to maintain control. |
Gun Control Activist: |
A person or group advocating for stricter regulations on firearms, focusing on reducing gun violence and preventing access to dangerous individuals. |
Gun Control as Public Health: |
The framing of gun control as a public health issue, focusing on the societal impacts of gun violence on physical and mental health. |
Gun Control: |
The regulation of firearms through laws and policies aimed at reducing gun violence, often opposed by gun rights activists but supported by those advocating for greater restrictions. |
Gun Culture: |
The cultural belief and tradition in the U.S. that emphasizes the importance of firearms for personal freedom, self-reliance, and defense. |
Gun Grabber: |
A term used by Second Amendment advocates to describe Obama, based on fears |
Gun Grabbers: |
A derogatory term used by pro-gun advocates to describe politicians or activists who support gun control measures, often seen as infringing on Second Amendment rights. |
Gun Lobby: |
A term used to describe powerful organizations, such as the NRA, that advocate for the protection of gun rights, often criticized for influencing legislation in favor of firearm manufacturers and owners. |
Gun Ownership as a Fundamental Right: |
The belief that owning firearms is an essential personal liberty, protected by law and crucial for self-defense and freedom from tyranny. |
Gun Safety Advocate: |
Walz is supported by those in favor of gun control measures, particularly for his backing of red flag laws and universal background checks. |
Gun Safety: |
A term used to reframe gun control efforts in a way that emphasizes public safety and the prevention of accidents, suicides, and homicides involving firearms. |
Gun Show Loophole: |
A term used by gun control advocates to criticize the lack of background checks required for private firearm sales, often at gun shows. |
Gun Violence Epidemic: |
A phrase used by gun control advocates to describe the widespread and increasing instances of gun-related violence in the U.S., often cited to push for stricter gun laws. |
Gun-Free Zones: |
A critical term used by gun rights advocates to argue that areas where firearms are prohibited are more vulnerable to mass shootings, as they deter law-abiding gun owners from defending themselves. |
Gunboat Diplomacy: |
The use or threat of military force to influence diplomatic relations, often involving naval power displays. |
HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program): |
A U.S. research project focused on studying the ionosphere, often cited by conspiracy theorists who claim it’s a secret weapon used for weather control or mind manipulation. |
Habeas Corpus: |
A legal principle that protects individuals from being detained without just cause, requiring that a person be brought before a judge or court to determine the legality of their detention. |
Hacktivism: |
The use of hacking techniques to promote a political agenda or social cause, often linked to online communities like Anonymous or LulzSec. |
Hamas: |
The Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, seen by supporters as a resistance movement and by critics as a terrorist organization. |
Handle: |
A user's online alias or username, commonly used in forums, IRC, and BBS communities. |
Hard Power vs. Soft Power: |
Hard power refers to the use of military and economic force to influence others, while soft power refers to shaping global affairs through cultural appeal, diplomacy, and ideology. |
Hard Power: |
The use of military and economic means to influence the behavior or interests of other political bodies. |
Hard Science Bias: |
The belief that disciplines like physics, chemistry, and biology are superior forms of knowledge compared to the social sciences or humanities, often dismissing fields like psychology, sociology, or philosophy as "soft." |
Hashtag: |
A keyword or phrase preceded by a hash symbol (#) used to categorize posts on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, helping users find related content. |
Hasty Generalization: |
Drawing a broad conclusion based on a small or unrepresentative sample. Example: "I met two people who are unemployed, so the entire economy must be failing." |
Hate Symbol: |
A symbol that is used to promote or express hatred toward a particular group, such as swastikas, the "OK" hand gesture (when used as a white power symbol), and other extremist imagery. |
Health Freedom Advocate: |
A term used by supporters who view RFK Jr.’s stance on vaccines as a fight for personal freedom and bodily autonomy. |
Heartbeat Bill: |
Legislation that seeks to ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, typically around six weeks into pregnancy, often framed as protecting life. |
Hearts and Minds Campaign: |
A strategy used in warfare and diplomacy to win over the support of the civilian population, often through propaganda, aid, or coercion. |
Hearts and Minds: |
A phrase used in military and political strategy, referring to the need to win the support of the population rather than just achieving military victories. |
Hegemonic Discourse: |
The dominant narrative or ideology that shapes societal norms and values, often controlled by those in power. Intellectuals use this term to criticize how language and culture reinforce power structures. |
Hegemonic Stability Theory: |
The idea that the international system is more likely to remain stable when a single nation-state is the dominant world power. |
Hegemonic Whiteness: |
A term that refers to the dominant, normative position of whiteness in society, which is often invisible or unchallenged. It underscores how whiteness maintains social, cultural, and political dominance. |
Hegemony: |
The dominance of one group over another, particularly how dominant ideologies perpetuate power structures. Used to accuse an opponent of being complicit in upholding oppressive systems. |
Herd Immunity Fallacy: |
A misunderstanding or intentional misrepresentation of herd immunity, often used by anti-vaxxers to claim that individuals do not need vaccinations if enough of the population is immune. |
Herd Immunity: |
A concept in public health where enough people in a population are immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely. The term became controversial during Covid when used to argue against lockdowns and vaccination efforts. |
Hermeneutics: |
The theory and methodology of interpretation, especially of texts. In debates, it’s used to critique someone’s reading or interpretation as being unsophisticated or surface-level. |
Hermit Kingdom: |
A term used to describe North Korea’s isolation from the international community and its closed-off society. |
Hero of Democracy: |
A phrase used by supporters to describe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, often emphasizing his leadership during the Russian invasion. |
Heteronormativity: |
The assumption that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural sexual orientation, often used to criticize the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people. |
High-Capacity Magazines: |
A term used to describe gun magazines that hold more rounds than typically necessary for self-defense, often targeted in gun control debates for contributing to mass shootings. |
Higher Self: |
The concept of a divine or spiritual version of oneself that exists beyond the ego and material concerns, often accessed through meditation or spiritual practices. |
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): |
A form of exercise involving short bursts of intense activity followed by brief rest periods, aimed at improving cardiovascular fitness and fat loss. |
Hillary Rodham Clinton: |
Often used by supporters to emphasize her full name, framing her as a historic figure in U.S. politics who has broken gender barriers. |
Hillarycare: |
A term used to describe Clinton’s early efforts at healthcare reform during her time as First Lady. Supporters saw her as a visionary reformer, while critics labeled the plan as overly bureaucratic and doomed to fail. |
Hillbilly Elegy Stereotyping: |
Critics of Vance’s memoir argue that it perpetuates negative stereotypes about Appalachia and the working-class, oversimplifying the region’s struggles. |
Hillbilly Hero: |
A reference to Vance’s memoir Hillbilly Elegy, which chronicles his upbringing in a poor Appalachian community and has been used to praise his authenticity and rise to prominence. |
Historic Vice President: |
A term used by supporters to emphasize Harris’s status as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President of the U.S. |
Historical Erasure: |
The deliberate exclusion or downplaying of historical events, figures, or narratives of marginalized groups, often to maintain dominant cultural or racial narratives. |
Historical Trauma: |
The collective emotional and psychological damage endured by a group over generations due to historically oppressive events, such as colonization, slavery, or genocide. |
Hoax Buster: |
A term for individuals or groups who actively work to expose and debunk hoaxes and conspiracy theories, often by providing factual information and challenging false claims. |
Holistic Medicine: |
While some holistic approaches can complement scientific medicine, the term is often misused in anti-science circles to promote treatments that have no scientific backing, such as energy healing or homeopathy. |
Holographic Healing: |
The belief that the body can heal itself by accessing and manipulating the holographic blueprint of one's energetic self, often seen as a form of quantum healing. |
Holographic Universe: |
A pseudoscientific concept suggesting that the universe and everything in it are projections of a higher-dimensional reality, often linked to spiritual beliefs in the interconnectedness of all things. |
Holoportation: |
A futuristic technology that allows people to interact with remote locations via holographic projections, creating the illusion of being physically present in another place. |
Homeopathy: |
A pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine based on the principle that "like cures like" and that substances that cause symptoms in healthy people can cure similar symptoms in sick people, despite no scientific basis. |
Homophobia/Transphobia: |
Negative attitudes, discrimination, or fear of people who are LGBTQ+ or transgender. |
Homosexual Agenda: |
A derogatory phrase used by critics to claim that LGBTQ+ activists are pushing for societal changes that conflict with traditional values. |
Honey Pot (Honey Trap): |
A covert operation in which an agent seduces or entraps a target, usually to gather intelligence, blackmail, or discredit them. |
Honeypot: |
A security mechanism that lures cyber attackers to a decoy system, often used to detect, deflect, or study hacking attempts. |
Hope and Change: |
Obama’s 2008 campaign slogan, embraced by supporters who saw him as a transformational figure bringing optimism and reform. Critics dismissed it as vague and lacking substance. |
Horizontalism: |
A form of social organization without hierarchies, often used by revolutionary movements to ensure equal participation in decision-making processes. |
Hormesis: |
The concept that small amounts of stress (e.g., exercise, fasting, cold exposure) can promote beneficial adaptations and improve longevity. |
Horseshoe Theory: |
The belief that the far left and far right, despite their ideological differences, ultimately adopt similar authoritarian methods or views, suggesting that extremism "curves back" to resemble the opposite end. |
Hot Take: |
An unpopular or controversial opinion, often shared to provoke debate. When used critically, it can suggest that someone is sharing an opinion just for attention or to stir up controversy, rather than out of genuine belief. |
Hubris: |
The excessive pride or arrogance that leads nations to engage in risky foreign interventions or adventures, often resulting in negative consequences or failure. |
Human Rights Abuses: |
A term used to describe the numerous reports of extreme violations in North Korea, including forced labor camps, famine, and lack of basic freedoms. |
Human Rights Advocate: |
Western hegemony is viewed by some as a force for good, promoting human rights and holding authoritarian regimes accountable for abuses. |
Human Rights Champion: |
The UN’s work in promoting and protecting human rights globally, through its various agencies and resolutions, is viewed as crucial by supporters. |
Humanitarian Intervention: |
NATO’s interventions in countries like Kosovo and Libya are often framed as necessary actions to prevent human rights abuses and protect civilians from authoritarian regimes. |
Humanitarian Leader: |
The UN and its agencies, such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), are admired for their work in addressing humanitarian crises, health emergencies, and poverty reduction. |
Humanitarian President: |
Carter is admired for his post-presidency humanitarian work, particularly through his efforts to promote peace, human rights, and global health. |
Humanitarian Protector: |
The UN and its agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), are admired for their humanitarian efforts, including health initiatives, peacekeeping, and refugee protection. |
Humanitarian Superpower: |
Western hegemony is viewed as a driving force behind humanitarian efforts, including disaster relief, refugee aid, and global health programs led by organizations like the UN and WHO. |
Humblebrag: |
Pretending to be humble while subtly boasting. It’s often called out sarcastically, implying that someone is trying to disguise their bragging as modesty. |
Hunter Biden Scandal: |
A general term referring to the allegations surrounding Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine and China, often cited by critics to accuse Joe Biden of corruption. |
Huntergate: |
A term used by some right-wing media and commentators to suggest a major scandal involving Hunter Biden, likening it to previous political scandals like Watergate. |
Hustler’s University: |
A term tied to Tate’s online courses that teach financial independence and strategies to build wealth, often praised by his followers. |
Hybrid Warfare: |
A strategy that combines conventional military force with other means like disinformation, cyberattacks, and propaganda to destabilize or undermine an opponent. Disinformation is often seen as a key component of hybrid warfare. |
Hyper-Capitalism: |
A critique of late-stage capitalism where profit and consumption are prioritized over human welfare, environmental sustainability, or ethical considerations. |
Hyper-Individualism: |
A critique of identity politics that argues it promotes excessive focus on individual identity categories (such as race or gender) at the expense of collective unity or national solidarity. |
Hyper-Masculinity: |
A term used to describe the exaggerated focus on stereotypically masculine traits, such as aggression, control, and emotional suppression, promoted within the manosphere. |
Hyperautomation: |
The idea that anything that can be automated in a business or society should be automated, including processes, tasks, and decision-making, driven by AI, robotics, and machine learning. |
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): |
A treatment involving breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, claimed to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and slow aging. |
Hypercapitalism: |
A critique of late-stage capitalism, suggesting that it is characterized by extreme commodification, consumerism, and the prioritization of profit above all else. |
Hypercommercialism: |
The excessive use of commercial messages and values in culture, often critiqued for overshadowing other forms of value (e.g., art, education, public goods). |
Hypergamy: |
A term used to describe women’s supposed tendency to seek relationships with men who have higher status or resources, central to many Red Pill discussions on gender relations. |
Hyperindividualism: |
A critique of modern society, where people prioritize their individual success and desires over collective welfare or community responsibility. |
Hyperloop: |
A proposed transportation system where pods travel at high speeds through low-pressure tubes, offering a potential future alternative to traditional high-speed rail and air travel. |
Hypernormalization: |
A situation where the gap between reality and the political narrative becomes so wide that people accept the absurdity of the system. |
Hyperreality: |
A concept from postmodernism where the distinction between reality and simulation blurs, often used to critique mass media or consumer culture for distorting reality. |
Hypocrite: |
Detractors point out that Vance’s past criticisms of Trump and later embrace of Trump’s policies and endorsements make him a hypocrite who lacks genuine convictions. |
Identitarian Movement: |
A broader movement in Europe and the U.S. that promotes the defense of ethnic and cultural identity against immigration, multiculturalism, and perceived threats to national sovereignty. |
Identitarianism: |
A far-right nationalist movement in Europe and North America that emphasizes the protection of ethnic identity and culture from perceived threats of multiculturalism and immigration. |
Identity Affirmation: |
The process of affirming and validating an individual’s identity, especially when that identity is marginalized. This can take place through policy, language, and representation. |
Identity Fetishism: |
A critique suggesting that identity politics places excessive importance on superficial identity markers like race or gender at the expense of more important shared human experiences or interests. |
Identity Politics Advocate: |
Detractors accuse AOC of focusing too much on identity politics, arguing that her emphasis on race, gender, and intersectionality divides rather than unites Americans. |
Identity Politics as Divisive: |
A common critique of identity politics, arguing that it divides society by encouraging people to identify with their race, gender, or sexuality rather than as individuals or as members of a unified whole. |
Identity Politics as Elitism: |
A critique that identity politics is often driven by academic or elite circles, disconnected from the concerns of everyday people, and that it creates hierarchies of oppression that exclude those who don’t belong to a marginalized group. |
Identity Politics as Empowerment vs. Identity Politics as Victimhood: |
Supporters view identity politics as a way to empower marginalized groups to assert their rights and demand justice. Opponents argue it fosters a "victim mentality," where individuals are encouraged to view themselves as powerless victims rather than taking personal responsibility. |
Identity Politics Crusaders: |
Detractors argue that the Squad focuses too much on identity politics, often framing their advocacy for racial and gender justice as divisive. |
Identity Politics Fatigue: |
A term used by critics to describe frustration or exhaustion with constant discussions of identity in politics, which they argue detracts from other important issues like economics or foreign policy. |
Identity Politics Figurehead: |
Detractors argue that Harris’s political success is more a result of identity politics than her qualifications or political record. |
Identity Politics Icon: |
A positive term used by those who see Harris as a symbol of progress and representation for marginalized groups, and negatively by those who feel she’s promoted based on identity rather than merit. |
Identity Politics Obsessed: |
Critics claim that the populist left focuses too much on race, gender, and sexual orientation, promoting divisive identity politics rather than uniting around shared economic goals. |
Identity Politics Overload: |
Critics argue that postmodernism's focus on marginalized identities leads to excessive division and prioritizes identity over shared human experiences or universal values. |
Identity Politics: |
Political arguments that focus on the interests of social groups defined by specific characteristics like race, gender, or sexual orientation. |
Identity Warfare: |
A critique of identity politics that portrays it as a form of conflict, where groups fight for dominance or recognition based on their identity rather than working towards collective solutions. |
Identity-Based Solidarity: |
The idea that individuals with shared identities (such as race, gender, or sexuality) can build collective solidarity to advocate for their rights and interests. |
III Percenters (Three Percenters): |
A far-right militia movement that claims to protect the Constitution and the Second Amendment, based on the myth that only three percent of American colonists fought against the British in the Revolutionary War. |
Illuminati: |
A purported secret society that is often the subject of conspiracy theories, accused of controlling world affairs behind the scenes. |
IMF/World Bank Puppet: |
Neoliberalism is often associated with the policies of international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, which are criticized for imposing harmful structural adjustment programs on developing countries. |
Immersive Telepresence: |
Technologies that allow people to feel fully present in a remote location using advanced VR, AR, and haptic feedback systems, enabling more effective remote work and social interactions. |
Immigration Hawk: |
The populist right’s tough stance on immigration, including building a border wall and deporting illegal immigrants, is seen as a necessary measure to protect jobs and national security. |
Impeachment: |
A formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, and which may lead to their removal from office. |
Imperial Adventurism: |
A term used to criticize the aggressive expansion of empires or powerful nations through risky foreign interventions or wars of conquest. |
Imperial Exploitation: |
A critique of imperialism, focusing on how empires extract resources, labor, and wealth from colonized regions for the benefit of the imperial power. |
Imperial Hubris: |
The overconfidence or arrogance of imperial powers that leads them to overextend their control, often resulting in resistance, conflict, or collapse. |
Imperial Overreach: |
A critique of interventionism, arguing that a country becomes overstretched by engaging in too many foreign conflicts or interventions, weakening its power and stability. |
Imperial Presidency: |
Nixon is often cited as the epitome of an imperial presidency, where the executive branch overreached its authority, especially in foreign policy and domestic surveillance. |
Imperial Prestige: |
The belief that maintaining an empire enhances a nation’s global status and power, often used to justify the expansion or retention of colonies or territories. |
Imperialism: |
The domination of one country or group over another, often through economic, political, or military control, and seen as an extension of capitalist exploitation. |
Imperialist Power: |
Critics often accuse Western countries, especially the U.S., of using their dominance to impose their will on other nations through military interventions and economic coercion, often referred to as neocolonialism. |
Imperialist: |
Critics accuse neoconservatives of using military power to impose American values and political systems on other nations, often leading to long-term conflict and instability. |
Implicit Association Bias: |
The unconscious biases that individuals hold about different racial or ethnic groups, which influence decision-making and interactions. These biases are often identified through tools like the Implicit Association Test (IAT). |
Implicit Association Test (IAT): |
A psychological tool used to measure the strength of a person's automatic association between mental representations of objects or social groups (such as race) and their unconscious biases. |
Implicit Bias Training: |
Workshops or programs that aim to raise awareness of individuals’ unconscious biases, particularly about race, and provide strategies to mitigate these biases in decision-making processes. |
Implicit Bias: |
The unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that influence our perceptions and actions toward others, often resulting in unintentional discriminatory behavior. |
Imposter Syndrome: |
A psychological pattern where an individual doubts their accomplishments and fears being exposed as a fraud. When used critically, it can suggest someone is unnecessarily self-doubting or lacking confidence. |
In God We Trust: |
The U.S. national motto, often invoked to support the idea that religion, particularly Christianity, should have a place in public life. |
Inadequate Methodology: |
Criticizing someone’s approach or methods as flawed, invalidating their argument based on their lack of adherence to academic or intellectual standards. |
Incel Culture: |
A critique that ties the manosphere to incel culture, where men express frustration over their lack of romantic success and often blame women for their problems. |
Incels: |
A term often associated with the more extreme fringes of the Red Pill movement, referring to men who are "involuntarily celibate" and blame women for their lack of romantic success. |
Inclusion Rider: |
A clause in an actor's contract that requires a certain level of diversity in the cast and crew of a film or television production, as part of efforts to combat racial inequality in Hollywood. |
Inclusive Curriculum: |
Refers to educational programs that include LGBTQ+ history and issues, promoting acceptance and understanding in schools. |
Inclusive Growth Advocate: |
The WEF is admired for promoting inclusive economic growth, ensuring that the benefits of globalization and technological progress are shared more equally across society. |
Inclusive Hiring Practices: |
Strategies designed to attract and retain diverse talent by reducing bias in the hiring process. This may include anonymizing resumes, diversifying interview panels, or focusing on skills over traditional qualifications that may privilege certain groups. |
Inclusive Leader: |
Walz’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in government and policy is viewed as a positive by those who see him as fostering a more just and representative state government. |
Inclusive Leadership: |
A leadership style that actively seeks to include people of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds in decision-making processes, fostering a work environment where all voices are valued. |
Inclusive Politics: |
A political approach that prioritizes the inclusion of marginalized identities and ensures that policies address the specific needs of diverse communities. |
Incommensurability: |
The idea that some viewpoints or perspectives are so fundamentally different that they cannot be meaningfully compared or reconciled. Intellectuals may use this concept to suggest that their perspective cannot be critiqued by someone outside their theoretical framework. |
Incompetent: |
A term used by critics, particularly from conservative circles, to argue that Harris is unqualified or ineffective in her role. |
Inconsistent Political Stance: |
Detractors claim that Pool’s positions often shift based on what will attract the most attention, making his political views unclear or opportunistic. |
Independent Journalist: |
Pool is praised for his commitment to independent reporting, often covering stories from a perspective that challenges mainstream media narratives. |
Independent Thinker: |
A term used by her supporters to describe her willingness to break from the Democratic Party on key issues, especially foreign policy. |
Indigeneity: |
Refers to the social, cultural, and political rights and identities of Indigenous peoples, often used in discussions about sovereignty, decolonization, and reparative justice. |
Indigo Children: |
A New Age belief that certain children possess special spiritual powers or insight and are destined to lead humanity into a higher state of consciousness. |
Individual Sovereignty: |
A key tenet of many modern Satanic beliefs, emphasizing personal freedom, autonomy, and the rejection of external religious or societal control. |
Individualism Over Identity: |
The belief that people should be viewed and treated as individuals, rather than through the lens of group identity. Critics of identity politics argue that prioritizing identity overlooks individual merit and personal responsibility. |
Ineffective President: |
Detractors argue that Carter’s idealism and micromanagement style led to ineffective governance and an inability to push through major legislative achievements. |
Ineffective Talking Shop: |
Critics often describe the UN as a place where world leaders talk but take no real action, especially when it comes to addressing major global crises like wars and human rights abuses. |
Inequality Enabler: |
Neoliberalism is often blamed for widening the gap between the rich and poor, both within and between countries, due to its focus on deregulation and reduced taxation on the wealthy. |
Infiltration: |
The act of covertly inserting agents or operatives into an organization to influence, sabotage, or gather information. |
Inflation of Conflict: |
Suggesting that because experts disagree on an issue, no conclusion can be reached, ignoring the actual weight of the evidence. Example: "Scientists disagree on climate change, so we should just ignore the issue." |
Influence Peddling: |
A phrase used by critics to suggest that Hunter Biden used his father’s political connections to secure lucrative deals in foreign countries, particularly in Ukraine and China. |
Influencer Grifter: |
A term used to suggest that Tate profits from selling a performative and exaggerated version of himself to young, impressionable men. |
Influencer Marketing: |
A form of marketing where brands collaborate with social media influencers to promote products or services to their followers, leveraging the influencer's popularity. |
Influencer: |
A social media user with a large following who can influence their audience's opinions or purchasing decisions, often used in marketing and branding. |
Infodemic: |
Refers to the spread of misinformation and disinformation during crises (e.g., COVID-19), where the flood of information overwhelms people's ability to discern truth from falsehood. |
InfoOps (Information Operations): |
Military or intelligence activities designed to disrupt or manipulate the information environment, often used in conjunction with cyber warfare. |
Information Asymmetry: |
A situation in which one party in a discussion or transaction has more information than the other, often used to manipulate the less informed party. |
Information Disorder: |
A broad term encompassing misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (the deliberate spread of harmful truths), often used by experts to discuss the complexity of today’s information landscape. |
Information Hygiene: |
A term used to promote good practices in consuming and sharing information, such as checking sources, being skeptical of sensational headlines, and avoiding sharing unverified content. |
Information Laundering: |
A process where false or misleading information is filtered through various channels to give it legitimacy or credibility. This often happens when disinformation starts on fringe websites and is later picked up by mainstream media, making it appear legitimate. |
Information Operations: |
Military or government actions designed to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries through the control and manipulation of information. |
Information Overload: |
A term describing the overwhelming amount of information available in the digital age, often leading to stress, confusion, or the inability to make informed decisions. |
Information Suppression: |
The act of withholding or manipulating information to prevent the public from knowing the full truth or to shape their perception of an event or issue. |
Information Warfare: |
The strategic use of information to gain a competitive advantage, often involving the deliberate spread of disinformation or manipulation of media. |
InfoSec (Information Security): |
Refers to protecting information from unauthorized access or manipulation, crucial for preventing disinformation attacks or leaks. |
Inner Child: |
Refers to the subconscious part of the self that retains childlike feelings or memories. It’s sometimes used condescendingly to suggest someone is immature or stuck in past traumas. |
Innovation Incentive: |
The idea that the capitalist system encourages innovation because individuals and companies are motivated by the potential for profit and market success. |
Innovative Solutions Hub: |
Proponents of the WEF see it as a forum for creating innovative solutions to global problems, particularly through partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society. |
Innovative Think Tank: |
Davos is seen as a place where innovative ideas are exchanged, leading to groundbreaking solutions for global problems, particularly in areas like technology, healthcare, and the economy. |
Inside Job: |
A phrase used by conspiracy theorists who believe that the U.S. government orchestrated or allowed the 9/11 attacks to happen for political or economic reasons. |
Institutional Accountability: |
The concept that institutions (such as schools, workplaces, governments) must take responsibility for addressing and rectifying the racial inequalities embedded in their structures. |
Institutional Capture: |
The process by which an institution, such as a regulatory agency, becomes dominated by the industries or interests it is supposed to regulate, leading to corruption or inefficiency. |
Institutional Racism: |
Policies and practices within institutions that disproportionately harm people of color, whether intentional or not. Examples include discriminatory housing policies and biased legal systems. |
Insulin Resistance: |
A condition in which the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, often discussed in keto and low-carb circles as a reason to reduce carbohydrate intake. |
Insurgents: |
A term often used by occupying or government forces to describe freedom fighters or rebels, framing them as illegitimate forces trying to destabilize an established government. |
Insurrection: |
A term used by opponents of the January 6th Capitol riot, describing it as a violent attempt to overthrow the government by supporters of former President Trump. |
Insurrectionist-In-Chief: |
Trump is often blamed for inciting the January 6th Capitol riot, with critics accusing him of attempting to overthrow a legitimate election. |
Intellectual Disarmament: |
A tactic used to undermine an opponent’s confidence in their intellectual abilities by belittling their credentials, education, or ability to think critically. |
Intellectual Elitism: |
Criticizing someone for using intellectual or academic arguments to assert superiority, accusing them of looking down on others who lack their education or expertise. |
Intellectual Posturing: |
Displaying one’s intelligence or academic knowledge in a way that is more about showing off than contributing meaningfully to the conversation. |
Intellectual Reductionism: |
The tendency to reduce complex phenomena into overly simplified terms, often used to critique scientism for ignoring the multifaceted nature of human experience, society, or consciousness. |
Intellectual Relativism: |
A term used by critics to argue that postmodernism devalues knowledge and reason, leading to a situation where all ideas are treated as equally valid, regardless of evidence or logic. |
Intellectual Snobbery: |
A term used to accuse someone of looking down on others who may not share their education or cultural capital, suggesting they value intelligence as a status symbol rather than for genuine inquiry. |
Intellectualization: |
The overuse of abstract, theoretical, or academic language to avoid engaging with the emotional or practical aspects of an issue. Often used to suggest someone is detached from the real-world implications. |
Intelligent Design: |
A pseudoscientific attempt to present the religious belief in divine creation as a scientifically valid alternative to evolution, often criticized for lacking empirical evidence. |
Interdependence: |
The concept that no country can be fully self-sufficient, and that nations rely on each other for security, economic growth, and global problem-solving, countering isolationism. |
Interfaith Dialogue: |
The promotion of communication and cooperation between different religious traditions, aimed at fostering understanding and tolerance. |
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): |
A scientific body that assesses the evidence on climate change, its impacts, and strategies for mitigation. It is a central reference point for climate change discussions. |
Intermittent Fasting (IF): |
A dietary approach that cycles between periods of eating and fasting, often used for fat loss and longevity. |
Internal Colonialism: |
A concept used to describe how marginalized racial or ethnic groups are treated as colonies within their own countries, often facing similar forms of exploitation and oppression as colonized nations. |
Internalized Oppression: |
When marginalized groups start believing and perpetuating the stereotypes and biases held against them. |
Internalized Racism: |
The internalization of racist attitudes towards one’s own racial or ethnic group, leading individuals to believe in their own inferiority or the superiority of another race. |
International Development Driver: |
Neoliberals are often seen as proponents of international institutions like the World Bank and IMF, advocating for free trade policies as essential to development in poorer nations. |
International Peacekeeping: |
A function of organizations like the UN, where military and diplomatic efforts help monitor ceasefires and protect civilians in conflict zones. |
International Policing: |
The concept that certain countries, often powerful nations, act as global enforcers of international law, intervening when necessary to maintain order. |
Internationalism: |
The belief in cooperation and solidarity between workers and oppressed peoples across national boundaries, rejecting nationalism and emphasizing global class struggle. |
Internationalist Vision: |
Supporters praise institutions like the UN and WEF for promoting an internationalist vision, where global cooperation transcends national borders to address worldwide challenges. |
Internet Censorship: |
The control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the internet, often done by governments or platforms to restrict disinformation or, controversially, free speech. |
Internet Kill Switch: |
A mechanism that allows governments to shut down the internet or certain parts of it during times of crisis or civil unrest, often criticized as a tool for suppressing dissent. |
Internet of Things (IoT): |
A network of physical objects (e.g., appliances, vehicles, devices) connected to the internet, collecting and exchanging data. It’s envisioned as a key component of future smart homes, cities, and industries. |
Interpellation: |
A concept from Marxist theory, where individuals are 'hailed' into social roles by dominant ideology. Often used to accuse someone of unknowingly accepting and perpetuating harmful social norms. |
Intersectional Feminism: |
A form of feminism that acknowledges and addresses how different forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism, intersect in people’s lives, especially for women of color. |
Intersectional Racism: |
Refers to how racism intersects with other forms of oppression, such as sexism, classism, or ableism, creating compounded discrimination for individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups. |
Intersectional Solidarity: |
The practice of building alliances across different social justice movements (race, gender, class, etc.) to challenge interconnected forms of oppression and inequality. |
Intersectionality: |
A concept developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw that describes how various forms of oppression (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.) overlap and intersect in individuals’ lives, particularly for women of color. |
Intertextuality: |
The postmodern idea that texts and cultural works are interconnected and cannot be understood in isolation, as they borrow and reference each other in a web of meaning. |
Intervention Fatigue: |
A term used to describe public or political exhaustion with repeated or ongoing foreign interventions, particularly when adventurous policies result in prolonged conflict or failure. |
Interventionist Idealism: |
Neoconservatives are praised for their belief that U.S. intervention in global conflicts is not only in America's interest but also a moral imperative to protect freedom and human rights worldwide. |
Intifada: |
Arabic for "uprising," used to describe the Palestinian revolts against Israeli occupation, most notably in 1987-1993 (First Intifada) and 2000-2005 (Second Intifada). |
Intuitive Eating: |
A modern spiritualist approach to food that focuses on listening to the body's natural hunger and fullness signals, often rejecting diets and calorie counting. While some aspects are backed by psychology, the "spiritual" approach lacks scientific rigor. |
Inversion of Christian Norms: |
The use of Satanic symbols and rituals to challenge or subvert traditional Christian values, often as a form of protest or critique of religious authority. |
Invisible Hand: |
A concept introduced by Adam Smith, describing how individual self-interest and competition inadvertently benefit society by promoting efficiency and innovation. |
Iran-Contra Affair: |
A major scandal in Reagan’s second term, involving the illegal sale of arms to Iran and the funding of Contra rebels in Nicaragua. Critics argue it exposed Reagan’s administration as corrupt and lawless, while some supporters believe Reagan was unaware of the details. |
Iran-Contra Scandal: |
A major critique of Reagan’s presidency, involving the illegal sale of arms to Iran and the funding of Nicaraguan Contras, viewed as a betrayal of democratic principles. |
Iranian Proxy Warfare: |
A term used to describe Iran’s influence through armed groups and militias in countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, seen as destabilizing by critics. |
Iraqi Freedom: |
The official name of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, which was framed as a mission to free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship. Critics argue that it led to widespread destabilization and chaos in the region. |
IRC (Internet Relay Chat): |
A protocol for real-time text messaging between users in channels (public chat rooms) or private messages, highly influential in early internet culture. |
Iridology: |
A pseudoscientific technique of diagnosing health conditions by examining the patterns in the iris of the eye. |
IRL (In Real Life): |
A term used to distinguish between online interactions and those that happen face-to-face, particularly in gaming or social media. |
Irregular Forces: |
Armed groups that are not part of a country's formal military, such as insurgents, militias, or rebel groups. |
Islamophobia: |
Prejudice, fear, or hatred directed at Muslims or people perceived to be Muslim, often intertwined with xenophobia and racism, particularly in Western countries. |
Islamophobic: |
A critique based on her past rhetoric about Islamic extremism, with some accusing her of promoting negative stereotypes about Muslims. |
Isolationist Patriotism: |
The belief that a country should look after its own people and interests first, without becoming involved in global affairs, often associated with protectionism and nationalism. |
Isolationist Realism: |
A foreign policy philosophy arguing that nations should avoid unnecessary entanglements and interventions in foreign conflicts unless they directly affect national interests. |
Isolationist: |
A term used to criticize Gabbard’s foreign policy positions, particularly her opposition to U.S. intervention in conflicts like Syria and Ukraine. |
Israel Defense Forces (IDF): |
The military forces of Israel, often discussed by supporters as defending the state and by critics as perpetuating violence against Palestinians. |
Ivory Tower: |
A term used pejoratively to describe academics or intellectuals as being out of touch with the real world. It’s often invoked to dismiss intellectuals as elitists disconnected from everyday life. |
Jargon Overload: |
Critiquing someone for using excessive or unnecessary academic jargon to sound smarter or more knowledgeable, implying that they are overcomplicating a simple issue. |
Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams: |
A phrase commonly associated with 9/11 conspiracy theories, suggesting that the fires from the plane crashes could not have caused the towers to collapse. |
Job Creator: |
Trump is credited by his supporters for creating jobs, particularly in manufacturing and energy, through his economic policies. |
Job Creators: |
A term used to describe wealthy individuals or businesses, emphasizing their role in creating jobs and driving economic growth, used to justify lower taxes or less regulation. |
Job Offshoring: |
A critique that globalization leads to the relocation of jobs from developed countries to developing countries, causing unemployment and wage stagnation in the former. |
Jobless Recovery: |
A situation where the economy grows after a recession, but employment does not, leading to critiques of policies that prioritize financial markets over workers. |
Juche: |
North Korea’s official state ideology of self-reliance, often promoted as a source of national pride but criticized as a justification for dictatorship and isolationism. |
Judicial Review: |
The process by which courts examine government actions to determine whether they are constitutional. |
Jungle Fever: |
A derogatory term used to describe interracial romantic relationships, typically between Black and white people, with connotations of fetishization and exotification. |
Junk Science: |
A derogatory term for scientific claims or research that lacks empirical support or that misuses scientific methods to reach dubious conclusions. |
Just Transition: |
A framework that calls for a shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy in a way that protects workers and communities most affected by the transition. |
Karen: |
A derogatory term used to describe entitled or demanding middle-aged white women, often in public spaces, who act in an entitled, confrontational, or oblivious manner. |
Karma: |
The spiritual principle of cause and effect, where a person's actions in this life or past lives are believed to influence future experiences. |
Karmic Debt: |
The belief that negative actions in past lives create spiritual "debts" that must be repaid in this life, often through difficult circumstances or suffering. |
Kekistan: |
A fictional country created by alt-right and far-right internet communities, symbolizing a satirical nation that rejects "political correctness" and globalism, often associated with Pepe the Frog imagery. |
Kernel Panic: |
A serious error in Unix-based operating systems that causes the system to shut down or restart. |
Keto Flu: |
A group of symptoms (headache, fatigue, nausea) that some people experience when transitioning into ketosis due to reduced carbohydrate intake. |
Ketosis: |
A metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, often achieved by following a ketogenic diet. |
Keynesian Economics: |
An economic theory that supports government intervention to stabilize the economy, especially through public spending during recessions, often contrasted with neoliberalism. |
KGB Agent: |
A reference to Putin’s former career in the Soviet Union’s KGB, often used by critics to imply that his methods are secretive, authoritarian, and rooted in Soviet-style repression. |
Killer App: |
A software application that is so essential or popular that it drives hardware or platform adoption, such as spreadsheets for early PCs or web browsers for the internet. |
Kinder, Gentler Nation: |
A phrase used by George H.W. Bush to promise a more compassionate form of conservatism, often mocked by critics who saw his policies as being no different from Reagan’s. |
Kinesiology (Applied Kinesiology): |
A pseudoscientific diagnostic tool used by alternative medicine practitioners, claiming to diagnose illness through muscle testing. |
Kinetic Operations: |
Military actions involving physical force, usually referring to direct combat operations. |
Kundalini Awakening: |
A spiritual experience where dormant energy at the base of the spine (Kundalini) is awakened and moves upward, often accompanied by intense physical and emotional sensations. |
L33t Speak (Leetspeak): |
An alternative alphabet used primarily by internet users, replacing letters with numbers or other characters (e.g., "1337" for "leet," meaning "elite"). |
Labor Ally: |
Walz is seen as a supporter of unions and workers’ rights, advocating for better wages and protections for working-class Minnesotans. |
Laissez-Faire: |
A philosophy advocating for minimal government regulation of the economy, believing that the market operates best when left to its own devices. |
Land Acknowledgment: |
A formal statement that recognizes the Indigenous peoples who originally lived on the land, often made at the beginning of public events as a gesture of respect and an effort to educate about colonization and its effects. |
Land Day: |
A commemoration of the 1976 protests by Palestinian citizens of Israel against government expropriation of land, a key event in Palestinian resistance history. |
Laptop from Hell: |
A phrase popularized by right-wing media referring to Hunter Biden’s alleged laptop containing incriminating information, used to criticize both Hunter and his father, President Joe Biden. |
LARPing (Live Action Role-Playing): |
Initially used to describe role-playing games, now also refers to people pretending to be someone they’re not online, often in political or activist communities. |
LARPing: |
Short for "Live Action Role-Playing," originally a term from gaming but now used derogatorily to describe people acting out roles or identities online that don’t reflect their real lives (e.g., political extremists pretending to be soldiers or revolutionaries). |
Late Capitalism: |
A term used to describe the current phase of capitalism, characterized by extreme wealth inequality, corporate power, and exploitation, often seen as leading to social and environmental collapse. |
Late-Stage Capitalism: |
A critique of modern capitalism that argues it has reached a point where wealth inequality, exploitation, and environmental degradation are unsustainable. |
Law and Order Advocate: |
Supporters of the populist right praise their emphasis on restoring law and order, particularly in combating crime and illegal immigration. |
Law and Order President: |
Nixon’s focus on law and order, particularly during a time of social upheaval, is admired by some conservatives. |
Law-and-Order Prosecutor: |
Used positively by supporters to highlight her career as a prosecutor and California Attorney General, showing her commitment to law enforcement. |
Lead from Behind: |
A criticism of Obama’s foreign policy approach, especially in conflicts like the Libyan intervention, suggesting that he lacked assertive leadership on the world stage. |
Lega Nord (Northern League): |
An Italian right-wing populist party that originally promoted the secession of Northern Italy but has since focused on broader nationalist and anti-immigration platforms. |
Legacy of Hope: |
Supporters often describe Obama’s presidency as a beacon of progress and hope, particularly in areas like healthcare reform, environmental policy, and foreign diplomacy. |
Legend: |
A fabricated identity and backstory created for a spy to help them infiltrate an organization or country. |
Ley Lines: |
Hypothetical alignments of spiritual or mystical energy running through the Earth, often associated with ancient sites like Stonehenge or the pyramids. |
LGBTQ+ Rights: |
Refers to the legal and civil rights of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other non-heteronormative identities. |
Liberal Arts Major: |
Used derisively, especially in anti-intellectual circles, to mock someone’s degree as being useless or impractical in the real world. |
Liberal Democracy Protector: |
Establishment powers are seen as vital defenders of liberal democracies around the world, protecting freedoms like speech, voting rights, and the rule of law. |
Liberal International Order: |
A post-World War II framework promoting open markets, democracy, human rights, and multilateral institutions, often seen as the political foundation for globalization. |
Liberal Interventionism: |
The belief that powerful nations, particularly liberal democracies, have a duty to intervene in global conflicts to promote democracy, human rights, and peace. |
Liberal Racism: |
A term used to describe instances where people who claim to hold progressive or anti-racist views nonetheless engage in subtle forms of racism, often through performative allyship or tokenism. |
Liberation Politics: |
An approach in identity politics that focuses on the liberation of oppressed groups from systemic forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and colonialism. |
Liberation Theology: |
A religious movement that interprets the teachings of Christianity as a call to fight social, racial, and economic inequality, particularly in Latin America and Black liberation movements. |
Liberty Movement: |
A broad term encompassing various far-right, libertarian, and militia groups that advocate for limited government, individual rights, and resistance to government overreach. |
Liberty vs. Equality: |
A philosophical debate between prioritizing individual freedom (liberty) and ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all (equality). |
Light Body Activation: |
A process where individuals raise their vibrational frequency and activate a "light body," believed to be a step toward spiritual ascension or transcending physical reality. |
Light Codes: |
A concept that spiritual information or energy is transmitted through "light codes" from higher dimensions, often during periods of spiritual awakening or ascension. |
Light Language: |
A mystical form of communication believed to be channeled from higher dimensions, often unintelligible to human understanding but said to carry spiritual or healing energy. |
Lightworker: |
A person who feels a spiritual calling to spread light, love, and healing to others, often framed as part of a global movement to raise the Earth’s consciousness. |
Limited Hangout: |
A tactic in which part of the truth is revealed, but key details are omitted to control damage or mislead the public or adversaries. |
Linguistic Turn: |
A term referring to the shift in philosophy that focuses on language’s role in shaping reality. Invoked to argue that someone's understanding of a topic is naive because they don't recognize how language constructs reality. |
Liquid Modernity: |
A term coined by sociologist Zygmunt Bauman to describe a world in which social forms (e.g., relationships, jobs, identities) are constantly changing, leading to instability and uncertainty. |
Lived Experience: |
A term used to describe the unique experiences and perspectives of people from marginalized identities, which identity politics argues should be centered in discussions about justice and equity. |
Loaded Question: |
A question that contains a built-in assumption that cannot be answered without appearing guilty. Example: "Have you stopped cheating on your taxes yet?" |
Lock Her Up: |
A chant popularized by Trump supporters during the 2016 election, referring to Trump’s call for Hillary Clinton to be imprisoned over her email scandal. Critics viewed this as a dangerous escalation of political rhetoric. |
Lockdown Governor: |
Critics often focus on Walz’s COVID-19 lockdowns, accusing him of overreach and harming small businesses and individual freedoms during the pandemic. |
Logocentrism: |
A term used in postmodernism and deconstruction to describe the focus on language and logic over other forms of communication or experience, sometimes used to critique intellectualism for being overly reliant on rationality and words. |
Lolita Express: |
A derogatory term used by conspiracy theorists and critics to describe the private jet of Jeffrey Epstein, implying that passengers, including Bill Clinton, were involved in illicit activities during flights to Epstein’s private island. |
Long Covid: |
A term used to describe the lingering symptoms and health problems experienced by some individuals after recovering from the initial Covid-19 infection. |
Longevity Escape Velocity: |
A concept suggesting that advances in medicine and technology will allow humans to live long enough to benefit from future life-extending treatments, leading to significantly longer lifespans or even immortality. |
Loot: |
Items, equipment, or currency that players can collect from enemies or environments in games, often used in MMORPGs. |
Loss Meme: |
A minimalist four-panel comic strip from the webcomic Ctrl+Alt+Del that has since been widely parodied due to its abrupt tonal shift and awkward structure. |
Love Bombing: |
A term used to describe the act of overwhelming someone with excessive affection or attention to manipulate them. In pop psychology, it’s used to describe early stages of relationships, sometimes dismissively. |
Love is Love: |
A slogan used to promote acceptance of LGBTQ+ relationships, emphasizing that love between consenting adults should be respected regardless of gender. |
Luciferian Enlightenment: |
The idea that Satan, or Lucifer, represents knowledge, enlightenment, and the pursuit of individual freedom, often positioned against religious dogma. |
Lumpenproletariat: |
A term used by Marxists to describe the underclass that is disconnected from the traditional labor movement, sometimes seen as reactionary or counter-revolutionary. |
Lurker: |
Someone who reads forums or chat discussions but rarely contributes or posts. |
Machiavellianism: |
A political theory based on the ideas of Niccolò Machiavelli, advocating for the use of cunning, deceit, and pragmatism in governance. |
Machine Learning (ML): |
A subset of artificial intelligence where systems learn from data and improve their performance over time without explicit programming. ML is used in everything from recommendation algorithms to autonomous systems. |
Macros (Macronutrients): |
The three major components of a diet: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Tracking macros is common in keto, carnivore, and bodybuilding communities. |
MAGA (Make America Great Again): |
Trump’s signature campaign slogan, embraced by supporters as a rallying cry for American nationalism and economic growth but criticized by opponents as a dog whistle for white supremacy and xenophobia. |
MAGA Loyalist: |
A term used by critics to describe Vance’s alignment with Trump’s policies and rhetoric, often implying that he’s following the former president’s agenda without offering new ideas. |
Maidan Revolution: |
The 2014 uprising in Ukraine that led to the ousting of a pro-Russian president. Seen as a democratic victory by supporters and as a Western-backed coup by critics. |
Main Character Energy: |
Refers to someone who acts like they are the protagonist of life, often used humorously but also condescendingly to suggest self-centered behavior. |
Main Character Syndrome: |
Refers to someone acting as though they are the central figure in everyone else’s lives, implying self-centeredness. It’s used condescendingly to dismiss someone who seeks attention or behaves in an egotistical manner. |
Mainstream Media (MSM): |
A term used to describe large, established news organizations, often viewed with suspicion by critics who accuse them of bias or propaganda. |
Malaise Speech: |
Carter’s famous "crisis of confidence" speech is often cited by critics as evidence of his pessimism and inability to inspire the nation during difficult times. |
Male Empowerment: |
A focus on men reclaiming control of their lives, finances, and relationships, often through self-improvement and rejecting modern societal expectations. |
Male Privilege: |
The societal advantages that men have over women simply because of their gender, often cited by feminists to highlight systemic inequality. |
Male Sovereignty: |
The idea that men should take full control of their own lives, decisions, and destinies, free from societal pressures that prioritize female needs or desires. |
Male Supremacy: |
A critique that suggests the Red Pill movement promotes the idea that men are inherently superior to women and should dominate them in relationships and society. |
Manifest Destiny: |
A belief in the divine right of expansion, historically used to justify American imperialism and territorial expansion in the 19th century. |
Manifesting: |
Refers to the idea that positive thoughts and affirmations can bring desired outcomes. It can be mocked as "wishful thinking" or overly simplistic for addressing complex life issues. |
Mansplaining: |
A man explaining something, often condescendingly, to a woman in a manner that assumes she knows less than him. |
Manufacturing Consent: |
A concept popularized by Noam Chomsky, describing how media creates public approval for policies or ideas by shaping narratives. |
Maplewashing: |
A term used to describe Canada’s promotion of itself as a progressive, environmentally friendly nation, while critics argue that it engages in practices contrary to these values (e.g., environmental exploitation). |
Marginalization: |
The process of pushing certain groups (often racial, ethnic, or minority) to the edges of society, limiting their access to resources, power, and opportunities. |
Marginalized Voices: |
Refers to individuals or groups who are socially, economically, or politically marginalized based on their identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality). Identity politics seeks to amplify these voices. |
Market Fundamentalist: |
A term used to describe neoliberals’ unwavering belief in free markets as the solution to all economic problems, often ignoring social costs and inequalities. |
Market Reforms: |
Neoliberals are credited with implementing reforms in various sectors (like healthcare and education) to introduce competition and market forces, believed to improve quality and lower costs. |
Marriage Equality: |
The belief that same-sex couples should have the legal right to marry, often framed as an issue of equal rights. |
Martial Law: |
The imposition of direct military control over normal civilian functions, often feared by far-right groups as the first step toward government takeover or the suppression of personal freedoms. |
Martyr: |
A term used by militant or revolutionary groups to describe those who die for their cause, especially in religious or ideological contexts. The same individuals are often labeled as extremists or terrorists by their enemies. |
Martyrs: |
A phrase used by some right-wing commentators to refer to participants in the January 6th events who were arrested, injured, or killed during or after the riot, painting them as victims of political persecution. |
Maskhole: |
A slang term for individuals who refuse to wear masks during the Covid-19 pandemic, often used derisively. |
Mass Customization: |
The future ability to customize products on a mass scale, where individuals can personalize everything from their clothes to their homes, facilitated by advancements in AI, 3D printing, and supply chain automation. |
Mass Hysteria: |
A phenomenon where a group of people experience irrational fears, beliefs, or behaviors in reaction to a real or perceived threat, often used by critics to explain the spread of conspiracy theories. |
Mass Incarceration: |
Refers to the disproportionate imprisonment of people of color, particularly Black and Latinx communities, in the U.S. criminal justice system. It highlights systemic racism in policing, sentencing, and prison conditions. |
Mass Mind Control: |
A conspiracy theory that suggests governments, corporations, or powerful elites are using media, technology, and psychological tactics to control the thoughts and behaviors of large populations. |
Mass Shooting Crisis: |
A term used to describe the frequency of mass shootings, particularly in the U.S., and the associated call for tighter gun control to prevent such tragedies. |
Mass Surveillance: |
The large-scale monitoring of a population’s activities, often carried out by governments in the name of security or public order. |
Materialism: |
The belief that only physical matter exists, often associated with scientism, which dismisses spiritual, metaphysical, or subjective experiences as unscientific or irrelevant. |
Maverick Politician: |
Supporters admire Gabbard for defying party lines and standing up for what she believes is right, even when it’s unpopular with the establishment. |
MCTs (Medium-Chain Triglycerides): |
A type of fat that is quickly absorbed and converted into energy, commonly used in keto diets (e.g., MCT oil). |
Means of Production: |
The facilities and resources (factories, land, machines, etc.) used to produce goods, often controlled by the bourgeoisie under capitalism. |
Media Blackout: |
A deliberate suppression or restriction of information by media outlets, governments, or organizations, often used to limit public awareness of certain events or issues. |
Media Contrarian: |
Detractors see Curry as someone who takes contrarian positions purely to attract attention, rather than out of a genuine belief in the ideas he promotes. |
Media Critic: |
Dore is lauded for his critiques of mainstream media, particularly how corporate interests shape news coverage and public discourse. |
Media Ecosystem: |
The interconnected landscape of media platforms, outlets, and channels through which information (or disinformation) is spread. It’s used to analyze how misinformation moves through different media environments. |
Media Framing: |
The selective emphasis on certain aspects of a story, effectively controlling how the public perceives an issue. |
Media Grifter: |
A term used by detractors who believe Carlson’s main goal is personal financial gain through stoking controversy and fear. |
Media Literacy: |
The ability to critically analyze and evaluate the information presented by media sources. Promoted by anti-misinformation organizations as a way to combat the spread of disinformation. |
Media Manipulation: |
The act of creating a false narrative or controlling information through mass media in order to shape public opinion. |
Media Maverick: |
Curry is admired for his willingness to challenge mainstream media narratives and promote alternative perspectives, particularly through his show No Agenda. |
Media Oversight: |
Refers to monitoring and regulating media organizations to ensure they adhere to journalistic standards, often sparking debates about censorship and free speech. |
Media Suppression: |
A term used by critics who argue that mainstream media and social media platforms actively suppressed stories about Hunter Biden’s laptop and business dealings during the 2020 election. |
Medical Absolutism: |
The belief that modern medicine, particularly pharmaceutical solutions, is the only valid form of healthcare, dismissing alternative or complementary practices as ineffective or pseudoscientific. |
Medical Necessity: |
The argument that abortion may be necessary to preserve the health or life of the pregnant individual, a key aspect of pro-choice rhetoric. |
Medicare for All Advocate: |
A slogan associated with left-wing populists who push for universal healthcare, often framed as a human right that should be provided by the government. |
Megacities: |
The vision of future urban centers with populations exceeding 10 million, driven by rapid urbanization, technological integration, and environmental challenges. |
Meme Lord: |
Someone highly skilled at creating and sharing memes, often admired in online communities for their humor and creativity. |
Meme Warfare: |
Refers to the use of internet memes as tools for influencing public opinion, often in the form of humor or satire, frequently employed in online political discourse. |
Meme: |
An image, video, or piece of text, often humorous, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, frequently with slight variations. Memes are a foundational part of internet culture. |
Memelord: |
Someone highly skilled at creating and sharing internet memes, often using humor or satire to comment on social or political issues. |
Memory Hole: |
A mechanism for erasing inconvenient or embarrassing information from public records or collective memory, drawing from Orwell’s 1984. |
Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW): |
A movement within the manosphere advocating for men to disengage from traditional relationships with women and focus on personal independence. |
Men’s Rights Activism (MRA): |
A broader movement advocating for the rights of men, particularly in areas like family law, reproductive rights, and educational inequality, with strong ties to the manosphere. |
Men’s Rights: |
A movement that opposes aspects of feminism, arguing that men are unfairly treated in areas like family law, education, and employment, and that feminism overlooks men’s issues. |
Meritocracy Defense: |
A stance that merit-based systems, rather than identity-based policies, are the fairest way to allocate resources and opportunities. Critics argue that identity politics undermines meritocracy by prioritizing group identity over individual qualifications. |
Meritocracy Myth: |
The idea that merit alone determines success, often criticized in discussions about race for ignoring the systemic barriers that prevent people of color from accessing the same opportunities as their white counterparts. |
Meritocracy: |
The belief that individuals succeed based on their talent, effort, and merit, rather than class or birthright, often seen as a justification for capitalist systems. |
Merkaba Activation: |
The idea that one’s spiritual vehicle (Merkaba) can be activated to travel between dimensions or achieve enlightenment. |
Merkaba Meditation: |
A specific meditation technique that claims to activate the "Merkaba" or light body, facilitating spiritual ascension and interdimensional travel. |
Merkaba: |
A mystical symbol said to represent a vehicle for spiritual ascension, often visualized as two intersecting tetrahedrons, with the idea of transporting consciousness to higher dimensions. |
Metadata Collection: |
The gathering of data about communications (such as phone calls, emails, etc.) rather than the content itself, often used by intelligence agencies for surveillance. |
Metanarratives: |
The large, overarching stories or ideologies (e.g., Christianity, Marxism, Enlightenment thinking) that postmodernists seek to deconstruct, arguing that they are used to maintain power and suppress marginalized voices. |
Metaverse: |
A collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and persistent virtual worlds, often seen as the next iteration of the internet. |
MetCon (Metabolic Conditioning): |
A high-intensity workout designed to improve endurance and metabolic efficiency, common in CrossFit. |
MeToo Movement: |
A social movement against sexual harassment and assault, empowering women to speak out about their experiences and advocating for systemic change. |
Metric Absolutism: |
The belief that all phenomena, including social and ethical issues, can and should be measured and quantified, reducing complex human experiences to mere numbers. |
Metrics Deification: |
The worship of metrics and measurements as ultimate indicators of success, progress, or truth, often criticized for ignoring qualitative or subjective factors. |
Metrics Fetishism: |
An over-reliance on quantitative metrics, measurements, and data as the primary or only means to assess success or knowledge. Often criticized for ignoring qualitative aspects of human experience that can’t easily be measured. |
Microaggressions: |
Everyday, subtle, and often unintentional discriminatory comments or actions directed at marginalized groups, reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating inequality. |
Microsoft Monopoly: |
A term used to criticize Gates’ business practices during his time leading Microsoft, especially regarding antitrust lawsuits and accusations of monopolistic behavior. |
Middle America Advocate: |
The populist right is seen as standing up for the interests of rural and middle America, areas often overlooked by coastal elites and urban politicians. |
Middle Ground Fallacy: |
Assuming that the middle point between two extreme positions must be the correct one, without evaluating the actual evidence. Example: "Let’s compromise—some climate change is natural, and some is man-made, so we don’t need to do anything extreme to fix it." |
Militant Atheism: |
A derogatory term used to describe atheists who are outspoken or aggressive in their criticism of religion, often implying intolerance or hostility toward religious beliefs. |
Militant: |
A person or group willing to use confrontational or violent means to achieve their political or ideological goals, often in opposition to state forces. |
Militants: |
A term used to describe armed groups involved in violent resistance or rebellion. Supporters may call them freedom fighters, while opponents often label them as terrorists or militants. |
Military-Industrial Complex Puppet: |
Neoconservatives are often linked to the defense industry, with critics accusing them of pushing for wars and increased military spending to benefit defense contractors. |
Military-Industrial Complex: |
A critique that suggests interventionist foreign policies are driven by corporate and military interests, which profit from war and conflict rather than prioritizing peace. |
Militia Rights: |
The belief that citizens have the right to form militias as a means of protecting themselves from government overreach or external threats, rooted in the Second Amendment. |
Milkshake Duck: |
A meme referring to the phenomenon where someone initially beloved online is later found to have a problematic past, often leading to their rapid fall from grace. |
Millennial Leader: |
AOC is seen as a leading voice for younger generations in politics, particularly for millennials and Gen Z, who identify with her progressive views and modern approach. |
Mind Control: |
Another conspiracy theory often linked to HAARP, suggesting that the technology is being used to manipulate people’s thoughts or behavior through electromagnetic waves. |
Mind Uploading: |
The hypothetical process of transferring a person’s consciousness into a digital or non-biological system, such as a computer or robotic body, enabling digital immortality. |
Mind-Body Healing: |
A pseudoscientific approach that claims psychological and spiritual practices can directly cause or cure physical diseases, often with little to no scientific support. |
Mind-Machine Symbiosis: |
The fusion of human minds with machines, allowing for seamless communication and cooperation between biological and artificial systems. |
Mind-Mapping Technology: |
Future technologies that can read and interpret neural patterns to create a map of a person's thoughts, memories, or experiences, potentially allowing for brain-computer interfaces or memory uploads. |
Ministry of Truth: |
The fictional government body in 1984 responsible for propaganda and historical revisionism, often used to critique real-world media manipulation or censorship. |
Misandry: |
The hatred or dislike of men, often used by critics to argue that some feminists unfairly demonize men or male identity. |
Misinformation: |
False or inaccurate information spread without intent to deceive. Often used by organizations to describe unintentional sharing of incorrect facts. |
Misleading Populism: |
Critics argue that Dore’s populism often oversimplifies complex issues and encourages cynicism without offering viable solutions. |
Misleading Vividness: |
Describing a dramatic or rare event in vivid detail to persuade an audience that it is more likely or significant than it actually is. Example: "My uncle died after taking this medicine, so it’s dangerous for everyone." |
Misogynist Subculture: |
Critics argue that the manosphere harbors deeply misogynistic views, where women are seen as inferior or manipulative, and men are encouraged to exploit or dominate them. |
Misogynist: |
A common critique of Tate, referring to his derogatory and dismissive views about women and gender roles. |
Misogynistic Ideology: |
A common critique of the Red Pill movement, which is accused of promoting harmful stereotypes about women and fostering hatred or distrust toward them. |
Mission Accomplished: |
A phrase associated with George W. Bush's premature declaration of victory in Iraq in 2003, which became a symbol of overconfidence and failure to anticipate the prolonged conflict that followed. |
MKUltra: |
Refers to the CIA’s real-life mind control experiments in the 1950s and 1960s, often cited in conspiracy theories about ongoing government mind control or psychological manipulation programs. |
Model Minority: |
A stereotype that portrays certain racial or ethnic minorities, especially Asian Americans, as more successful or hardworking than others, often used to downplay the existence of systemic racism. |
Moderator (Mod): |
A person responsible for overseeing content and behavior in online communities, forums, or chat rooms. |
Modernization Theory Proponent: |
Neoliberal policies are often linked to the idea that free markets and reduced government intervention are essential for modernization and economic development in emerging economies. |
Mole: |
A spy who has infiltrated an organization or government, often embedded long-term to provide intelligence. |
Molecular Nanotechnology: |
A future field involving the manipulation of individual molecules to create materials or devices at the nanoscale, with potential applications in medicine, energy, and manufacturing. |
Molon Labe: |
A classical phrase meaning "come and take them," used by Second Amendment advocates and militia groups to assert their unwillingness to give up firearms in the face of government restrictions. |
Monetary Sovereignty: |
A concept in economics that argues governments with their own currency have greater control over fiscal policy, often used in discussions about deficit spending and modern monetary theory (MMT). |
Monica Lewinsky Scandal: |
Refers to the extramarital affair between Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Critics often cite this as evidence of Clinton’s moral failings and dishonesty. |
Monopoly Capitalism: |
A critique of Western-dominated economies, where a few multinational corporations dominate global markets, marginalizing smaller businesses and countries. |
Moon Rituals: |
Practices performed during certain phases of the moon, particularly the new moon and full moon, intended to manifest desires, release negativity, or connect with the lunar energy. |
Moral Absolutism: |
The belief that certain moral principles are universally valid, regardless of context or circumstance. |
Moral Bankruptcy: |
A term used by religious critics to suggest that atheism leads to a rejection of moral values or ethical guidelines, often framed as dangerous for society. |
Moral Clarity: |
Neoconservatives are often lauded for their clear distinction between good and evil in foreign policy, particularly in combating terrorism and authoritarianism. |
Moral Compass: |
The belief that religion provides individuals with a moral framework and guidance, helping society maintain ethical standards. |
Moral Corruption: |
The belief that Satanism promotes immoral behavior and corrupts society by glorifying evil or rejecting traditional moral values. |
Moral Crusader: |
Critics argue that neoconservatives use moral rhetoric to justify military interventions, often ignoring the complexities of international relations and the unintended human costs. |
Moral Decay: |
A phrase used by religious conservatives to describe the perceived decline in societal values, often attributed to the influence of Satanism or secularism. |
Moral Equivalence: |
Comparing minor actions or issues with much more severe ones to create a false sense of balance. Example: "Not recycling is just as bad as committing murder." |
Moral Hazard: |
In economics and social policy, this refers to the idea that people will take more risks if they believe they will not have to bear the consequences, often discussed in debates about bailouts or insurance. |
Moral High Ground Fallacy: |
Assuming that because one holds a morally superior position, their argument is valid without providing reasoning. Example: "I care about the environment more than you do, so my position on climate change is obviously the correct one." |
Moral Leadership: |
Carter’s emphasis on ethical governance and his strong Christian faith are admired by those who value integrity and morality in politics. |
Moral Licensing: |
The phenomenon where individuals justify unethical behavior by citing their previous good deeds, often used in discussions about corporate social responsibility or political hypocrisy. |
Moral Majority: |
A political movement of religious conservatives advocating for traditional family values, prayer in schools, and opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. |
Moral Panic: |
A situation where exaggerated fears, often stoked by media or certain interest groups, cause widespread societal concern over an issue, sometimes linked to conspiracy theories about perceived threats to societal norms. |
Moral Relativism: |
A criticism of postmodernism, arguing that by rejecting universal truths and objective standards, postmodernism undermines the moral foundations of society. |
Morning in America: |
A slogan associated with Reagan’s optimistic vision for America’s future, often used to emphasize his positive and unifying rhetoric. |
Motivated Reasoning: |
Processing information in a biased way to fit one's existing beliefs, often used to accuse an opponent of not engaging with evidence objectively. |
Motte and Bailey Fallacy: |
Defending an easily justifiable, but watered-down version of an argument (the "motte"), while trying to advance a more extreme version of the argument (the "bailey"). |
Moving the Goalposts: |
Changing the criteria of a claim or argument once it has been proven or disproven, in order to continue challenging the opponent. Example: "Even though you’ve proven that, you still haven’t explained this other point." |
Multiculturalism Critique: |
A viewpoint that critiques multiculturalism for promoting the coexistence of different cultures at the expense of national cohesion or for allegedly not addressing deeper structural inequalities. |
Multiculturalism: |
A policy or ideology that supports the preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a society, often promoted as an ideal of diversity but sometimes critiqued for tokenism or superficial inclusivity. |
Multidimensional Beings: |
Refers to entities or spirits that exist across multiple dimensions and can communicate or interact with humans, often invoked in spiritualist and New Age practices. |
Multilateral Diplomacy: |
Involving multiple countries in diplomatic negotiations or discussions, often seen in international organizations like the UN. |
Multilateralism Advocate: |
Supporters argue that bodies like the UN and NATO promote cooperation between nations, addressing global challenges like climate change, security, and human rights collectively. |
Multilateralism: |
A policy that encourages the involvement of multiple countries in international political, economic, or military affairs. |
Multiracialism: |
A social and political movement advocating for the recognition and celebration of people with multiple racial identities, challenging the traditional binary understanding of race. |
Mutual Aid: |
A practice where communities provide support and resources to one another without relying on the state or capitalist systems, seen as a form of collective resistance. |
My Body, My Choice: |
A slogan used to emphasize the belief that individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health, including abortion. |
MySpace Top 8: |
A feature on MySpace where users could rank their top 8 friends, often leading to social drama if people felt slighted by their placement or exclusion. |
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide): |
A coenzyme involved in cellular metabolism and energy production, touted in longevity circles as essential for slowing aging and boosting vitality. |
Nakba (Catastrophe): |
Refers to the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Seen as a tragedy by Palestinians and a necessary step for statehood by Zionists. |
Nakba: |
Arabic for "catastrophe," referring to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel in 1948. |
Nanomedicine: |
The application of nanotechnology to medicine, such as using nanoparticles to deliver drugs directly to targeted cells, offering the potential to treat diseases like cancer more effectively and with fewer side effects. |
Nanorobots: |
Microscopic robots capable of performing precise tasks at the molecular or cellular level, with potential applications in medicine (e.g., targeting cancer cells) and manufacturing. |
Nanotechnology: |
The manipulation of matter on an atomic or molecular scale, often used to develop new materials, medicine, or electronic devices. |
Narcissism: |
Excessive interest in or admiration of oneself, often brought up to describe individuals or leaders in a derogatory manner. |
Narcissist: |
Refers to someone with narcissistic tendencies, or a personality disorder, often used in a pop psychology context to describe anyone who is self-centered. It can be used dismissively or as an insult. |
Narrative Bias: |
The tendency for individuals to interpret events in a way that fits into their pre-existing narratives or beliefs, often discussed in relation to media consumption and political discourse. |
Narrative Control: |
Efforts by governments, corporations, or media organizations to shape or restrict the dominant storylines presented to the public. |
Narrative Suppression: |
The act of downplaying or silencing particular narratives or viewpoints, often associated with the control of information by governments, media outlets, or platforms. |
Narrative Warfare: |
A term describing the strategic use of narratives and storytelling to influence public opinion, delegitimize opposition, and consolidate power. |
Nasty Woman: |
A phrase Clinton reclaimed during the 2016 presidential debates after Donald Trump used it to insult her, becoming a symbol of feminist resistance against misogyny. |
Nation-Building Failure: |
A critique of neoconservative interventions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the effort to build democratic institutions failed, leading to prolonged conflict and instability. |
Nation-Building: |
A term used to describe U.S. efforts to rebuild and democratize Iraq and Afghanistan post-invasion. Supporters see it as a noble effort, while critics view it as a failed and costly endeavor. |
National Rally (Rassemblement National): |
A far-right political party in France, formerly known as the National Front, led by Marine Le Pen, which promotes nationalism, anti-immigration, and Euroscepticism. |
National Retrenchment: |
The withdrawal of a country from international engagements, particularly military or diplomatic commitments, to focus on domestic priorities. |
National Sovereignty Defender: |
The populist right is admired for its strong stance on protecting national borders, rejecting international agreements that they believe undermine U.S. sovereignty. |
National Sovereignty: |
The principle that a nation should have complete control over its own affairs without interference from other countries or international institutions, a key tenet of isolationist policies. |
Nationalism: |
A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of one’s nation over global cooperation or multiculturalism, often coupled with anti-immigration stances. |
Nativism: |
A policy or belief that favors the interests of native-born citizens over immigrants, often linked to racist, xenophobic attitudes and immigration restrictions. |
Nativist: |
The populist right’s focus on restricting immigration and promoting "America First" policies is criticized as nativist, prioritizing native-born citizens over immigrants and refugees. |
NATO Expansion: |
A term used by critics of the West to argue that NATO’s expansion eastward provoked Russia into invading Ukraine, often citing the inclusion of former Soviet states as a threat to Russian security. |
NATO Provocation: |
A term used by pro-Russian voices to argue that Western military alliances like NATO provoke Russia by expanding into Eastern Europe. |
NATO’s Protective Umbrella: |
The Western military alliance, led by NATO, is often praised for ensuring the security of Europe and North America, deterring adversaries like Russia and safeguarding democracy. |
Natural Immunity: |
Used by individuals who argue that the body's natural immune system is superior to vaccines or medical treatments, often ignoring the science of how vaccines work in conjunction with natural immunity. |
Natural Law: |
A philosophical argument often used by opponents of gay rights to suggest that same-sex relationships are contrary to the "natural" order. |
Naturopathy: |
A system of alternative medicine that advocates natural remedies like herbs and diet to heal the body, often criticized for lacking scientific validation. |
Nazi Collaborator: |
A false narrative pushed by pro-Russian outlets, accusing Zelenskyy and his government of supporting far-right elements in Ukraine to justify Russia’s invasion. |
Neo-conservatism: |
A political ideology associated with the Bush administration and its foreign policy, advocating for the use of military force to spread democracy. Critics see it as a justification for imperialism and unnecessary wars. |
Neo-Feudalism: |
A critique that suggests global elites, through neoliberal economic policies and corporate control, have created a new form of feudalism where the masses are subjugated by a small ruling class. |
Neo-Imperialism: |
A term used to describe modern forms of imperialism, where powerful nations exert control over weaker nations through economic, political, or cultural influence rather than direct colonization. |
Neo-Luddite: |
A term for someone who opposes technological progress or innovation, often associated with criticism of AI, automation, and the impacts of tech on jobs and privacy. |
Neo-Mercantilism: |
The view that Western powers, under the guise of free trade, engage in practices that benefit their own economies while undermining the economies of poorer nations through exploitation and unequal trade agreements. |
Neo-Nazi Allegations: |
A term used by pro-Russian media to describe some far-right elements within Ukraine’s military and political landscape, often used to justify Russian intervention. |
Neocolonial Adventures: |
A critique that suggests modern interventions are thinly veiled attempts to control other nations under the guise of humanitarianism or global policing. |
Neocolonial Racism: |
A term used to describe how modern global power structures continue to exploit former colonies and maintain racial hierarchies, particularly in terms of economic and political dominance by the Global North over the Global South. |
Neocolonialism: |
A term used by critics of U.S. foreign policy to describe the country’s economic, political, and military dominance over other nations, often without direct territorial control. |
Neofascism: |
A modern form of fascism often used to describe far-right movements or leaders who espouse authoritarian, nationalist, or xenophobic ideas. |
Neoliberal Puppet: |
A critique that Reagan’s presidency was driven by corporate interests, promoting neoliberal policies that dismantled labor protections and increased corporate power. |
Neoliberalism: |
A political and economic ideology focused on free markets, deregulation, and limited government intervention in the economy. |
Nerf: |
A change to a game that reduces the power or effectiveness of a game element, often in response to balance issues. |
Net Carbs: |
The total carbohydrates in a food minus the fiber and sugar alcohols, used in low-carb diets to calculate the amount of carbs that affect blood sugar. |
Net Zero: |
A goal for countries or companies to balance the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with an equivalent amount being removed from the atmosphere, seen as vital by climate advocates but criticized by some as insufficient or too slow. |
Neural Dust: |
Tiny, wireless devices implanted into the body to monitor and stimulate nerves or muscles, potentially enabling advanced medical treatments or human augmentation. |
Neural Interface: |
Technology that connects the human brain with computers or external devices, potentially allowing direct control of machines, communication between minds, or enhanced sensory experiences. |
Neural Lace: |
A term popularized by Elon Musk, referring to an ultra-thin mesh that can be implanted in the brain to allow direct communication between the brain and computers, potentially enhancing cognitive abilities. |
Neural Networks: |
AI systems modeled after the human brain that learn from large datasets, with applications in fields like image recognition, language processing, and predictive analytics. |
Neural Prosthetics: |
Advanced prosthetics that connect directly to the nervous system, allowing amputees or disabled individuals to control artificial limbs with their thoughts. |
Neurological Enhancement: |
The use of technology to improve cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and problem-solving, potentially leading to superhuman intelligence. |
Neuromorphic Computing: |
A new computing paradigm inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, with the goal of creating machines that can process information more efficiently and intelligently. |
Neuroplasticity: |
The brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experiences, often cited in discussions about learning, behavior change, and recovery from trauma. |
Neurotechnology: |
Technologies designed to interface with the nervous system, enabling brain-computer communication, neural control of devices, or enhancement of cognitive abilities. |
Neutral Journalism: |
The pursuit of impartiality in reporting, which, in the context of controversial topics, can sometimes lead to accusations of bothsidesism or false balance. |
Neutrality Fallacy: |
Similar to bothsidesism, the idea that being neutral or presenting no opinion in the face of moral or factual disputes is seen as a virtue, when it might actually perpetuate harm or confusion. |
Neutrality: |
The position of staying neutral in conflicts or wars involving other countries, avoiding alliances or military commitments to protect national interests. |
New Age Charlatan: |
A term used by critics who see Brand’s spiritual discussions as superficial or opportunistic, lacking substantive understanding of the issues he discusses. |
New World Order (NWO): |
A conspiracy theory that suggests a secretive global elite is conspiring to create a totalitarian world government, often invoked by far-right and anti-globalist groups. |
New World Order: |
A conspiracy theory suggesting a secret global cabal is working to control world governments, often linking disinformation about science, medicine, and global health initiatives to broader political control. |
Newbie: |
A term for someone new to a forum, game, or online community, often used both as a friendly descriptor and a pejorative. |
Newbie/Noob: |
A term for someone new to an online community or activity, sometimes used in a derogatory manner. |
Newspeak: |
A controlled language created by the state to limit free thought and expression, often used to describe how modern language is manipulated to control public discourse. |
Next-Gen Social Networks: |
Future social platforms that integrate immersive technologies like VR, AR, and AI to provide richer, more interactive experiences, possibly facilitating direct neural interaction. |
Nihilism: |
The belief that life is meaningless, often used to describe an opponent’s pessimistic or overly critical worldview without constructive alternatives. |
Nixon Doctrine: |
A term used to describe Nixon’s foreign policy stance that U.S. allies should take more responsibility for their own defense, which some view as a precursor to modern foreign policy strategies. |
No Agenda Army: |
A term used by Curry’s fans to describe the dedicated community that supports his media work, particularly through listener-funded contributions. |
No Child Left Behind: |
An education reform law championed by Bush that aimed to improve student performance through standardized testing. Supporters saw it as necessary accountability, while critics argued it worsened inequalities in education. |
No Platforming: |
The practice of denying a platform or space to individuals or groups that promote harmful or oppressive ideologies, often used against fascists or far-right speakers. |
No True Scotsman: |
Dismissing counterexamples to a general claim by asserting they are not “true” examples. |
No-Scope: |
A term from first-person shooter games where a player gets a kill with a sniper rifle without using the scope, often considered highly skillful or lucky. |
Nobel Peace Prize Hypocrisy: |
A phrase used by critics who argue that Obama’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was undeserved, especially given his administration’s drone warfare and military actions in the Middle East. |
Non Sequitur: |
A conclusion or statement that doesn’t logically follow from the previous argument or statement. Example: "He’s wearing a nice suit, so he must be a great lawyer." |
Non-Aggression Pact: |
A treaty between countries agreeing not to engage in military action against each other. |
Non-Alignment: |
A policy of not aligning with major power blocs in international conflicts or politics, promoting a neutral stance to avoid becoming entangled in foreign disputes. |
Non-Binary: |
Refers to individuals who do not identify exclusively as male or female, challenging the traditional binary understanding of gender. |
Non-Interference: |
A principle asserting that countries should not interfere in the domestic affairs of other nations, commonly invoked by critics of interventionism. |
Non-Interventionism: |
The principle that a country should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other nations, often associated with isolationist foreign policy. |
Noob: |
A derogatory term for an inexperienced or unskilled player, often used in online gaming to mock poor performance. |
Norm Entrepreneurship: |
The idea that political or social actors can shape, create, or promote new norms in the international system or society. |
Normalization: |
Engaging with or legitimizing Israeli state institutions, often criticized by pro-Palestinian activists who argue that normalization undermines efforts to end occupation. |
Normie Meme: |
A term used to describe mainstream or basic memes, often considered overused or unoriginal by more internet-savvy communities. |
Nuclear Deal (JCPOA): |
The agreement aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for lifting sanctions. Supported by diplomacy advocates, but seen as weak by critics who believe it empowers Iran. |
Nudging: |
A tactic in behavioral psychology where individuals are subtly guided towards certain decisions or behaviors without overt coercion, often used in political or marketing contexts. |
Oath Keepers: |
A far-right militia group made up of former and active military and law enforcement personnel who pledge to defend the Constitution against what they see as government tyranny. |
Obamacare: |
The Affordable Care Act, Obama’s signature healthcare reform law. Supporters saw it as a major step toward universal healthcare, while critics argued it was a government overreach and led to rising healthcare costs. |
Obfuscation: |
The act of deliberately making something obscure or unclear, often used by pseudo-intellectuals to confuse or overwhelm their audience rather than clarify their argument. |
Objective Reality Absolutism: |
The belief that there is a single, objective reality that can only be understood through science, often dismissing subjective or culturally specific experiences as inferior or irrelevant. |
Objective Reality Fundamentalism: |
A rigid belief that only objective, scientifically verified facts are valid, often dismissing subjective, personal, or culturally specific knowledge as less important or illegitimate. |
Objective Reality: |
The belief that reality exists independently of perception or interpretation. Critics of scientism may argue that this concept is overly rigid or dismissive of subjective experience. |
Objectivity Bias: |
A critique of journalistic attempts to maintain neutrality or objectivity by presenting opposing views equally, even when one is demonstrably false or harmful. |
Obscurantism: |
The deliberate use of complex and obscure language to confuse, rather than clarify. Critics often accuse intellectuals of using obscurantism to avoid addressing real issues. |
Obummer: |
A derogatory nickname used by opponents to express their dissatisfaction with Obama’s presidency and policies, often deployed in conservative media. |
Obummercare: |
A pejorative twist on "Obamacare," used by those who oppose the Affordable Care Act, criticizing its implementation, costs, and impact on insurance markets. |
Occultism: |
A term often used to describe Satanic or other esoteric practices, typically framed as mysterious, dangerous, or aligned with dark spiritual forces. |
Occupation: |
A term used by pro-Palestinian activists to describe Israel’s control over Palestinian territories, particularly the West Bank, seen as illegal under international law. |
Occupy: |
A tactic where activists physically occupy a public space or area to protest injustice, such as Occupy Wall Street, which targeted income inequality and corporate influence. |
Offshoring: |
The practice of relocating production or services to countries with lower labor costs, often criticized for harming domestic workers but defended as increasing global efficiency. |
Oil Sands: |
A controversial part of Canada’s economy, where proponents argue that it’s vital for national prosperity, while environmentalists criticize it for contributing heavily to climate change and environmental degradation. |
Oligarchy: |
A system where power rests in the hands of a small, wealthy elite, often used to critique conservative policies seen as benefiting the rich. |
OMAD (One Meal A Day): |
A form of intermittent fasting where one consumes all their daily calories in a single meal, popular in keto and carnivore diet communities. |
Online Radicalization: |
The process by which individuals are exposed to extremist ideologies through online content, leading to radical beliefs or behaviors. Anti-disinformation groups focus on identifying and countering this process. |
Ontological Insecurity: |
A psychological and philosophical concept describing the feeling of uncertainty or anxiety about the nature of reality or identity, often invoked in discussions of rapid social or technological change. |
Ontology: |
The study of being or existence. Intellectuals might use this term to complicate a discussion by questioning the nature of reality or being. |
Open Carry: |
The practice of openly carrying a firearm in public, often seen as an expression of Second Amendment rights and a symbol of individual liberty. |
Operation Al-Aqsa Flood: |
The term used by Hamas for their large-scale attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, a term praised by supporters but condemned by critics for its violent tactics. |
Operation Enduring Freedom: |
The official name of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, framed as a response to the 9/11 attacks. Supporters saw it as necessary to dismantle al-Qaeda and the Taliban, while critics viewed it as an open-ended war with little chance of success. |
Operation Iraqi Freedom: |
The official name for the U.S. military operation that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. Supporters saw it as a liberation effort, while critics saw it as an illegal and unjustified war. |
Operation Mockingbird: |
A rumored covert CIA program aimed at influencing domestic and foreign media organizations to disseminate government-approved propaganda, often cited by critics of government-media collusion. |
Opportunist: |
Critics accuse Vance of shifting his political views to align with Trump and the populist right for personal gain, particularly after previously criticizing Trump before his Senate run. |
Oppression Olympics: |
A dismissive term for when individuals or groups are seen to be competing to demonstrate that their oppression or suffering is worse than others, often used critically in discussions about intersectionality. |
Optogenetics: |
A method of controlling cells within living tissue using light, with potential applications in neuroscience for treating mental disorders or enhancing brain functions. |
Orange Man Bad: |
A meme used by Trump supporters to mock critics, suggesting that their only argument against Trump is based on disliking him personally, rather than on policy issues. |
Orkut: |
One of the earliest social networking platforms popular in Brazil and India, owned by Google and now defunct. |
Othering: |
The process of defining and marginalizing a group by emphasizing their perceived differences from the dominant group. It often involves dehumanizing or alienating people based on their racial or ethnic identity. |
Out of Touch: |
Used to accuse intellectuals of not understanding the real-world implications of their theories, suggesting that their ideas are irrelevant to ordinary people. |
Out-of-Touch Elite: |
Some critics argue that despite her working-class background, AOC’s policies cater to wealthy progressives and urban elites rather than everyday Americans in more conservative areas. |
Outsourcing: |
The practice of relocating production or services to countries where labor or production costs are lower, often seen as a driver of global economic efficiency. |
Over-Quantification: |
The criticism that too many aspects of life, from education to healthcare, are being quantified and evaluated through data-driven models, often missing the nuance and complexity of human experiences. |
Overfitting Data: |
When a scientific or data-driven model is excessively fine-tuned to fit specific data points, making it less generalizable. In the context of scientism, it’s a critique of over-relying on specific data while missing broader trends or context. |
Overreach: |
A critique of policies that stretch a nation’s resources or capabilities by engaging in too many foreign conflicts or risky actions, leading to possible failure or blowback. |
Overthinking: |
Criticizing someone for making an argument unnecessarily complex, often used to dismiss a nuanced or detailed explanation as overly academic or impractical. |
Overton Window: |
The range of acceptable ideas or policies in public discourse, often cited by activists and politicians as something to shift toward more progressive or conservative ends. |
Pandemic Fatigue: |
A term describing the exhaustion people feel after prolonged restrictions, lockdowns, and health measures, leading to non-compliance or resistance to ongoing guidelines. |
Panopticism: |
A concept from Michel Foucault describing a form of surveillance that makes people behave as though they are constantly being watched. Used to critique systems of social control, such as the state or corporations. |
Panopticon: |
A theoretical prison design where all prisoners can be observed without knowing whether they are being watched, often used as a metaphor for modern surveillance states. |
Paradigm Shift: |
A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions within a field, commonly used in discussions of scientific, technological, or societal transformation (e.g., the shift from Newtonian physics to quantum mechanics). |
Paralysis by Analysis: |
Dismissing someone for overthinking or overanalyzing an issue instead of taking action. This critique is often leveled against academics who are perceived as disconnected from practical solutions. |
Paranoid Delusion: |
A term used by critics to describe the often irrational and unfounded fears underlying conspiracy theories, particularly those that assume sinister hidden agendas. |
Paranoid Leader: |
Critics argue that Nixon’s secretive and paranoid tendencies contributed to his downfall, as reflected in the covert operations and surveillance conducted by his administration. |
Paranoid Style: |
A term used to describe the conspiratorial mindset that sees hidden, malevolent forces behind significant events, often used to critique the worldview of conspiracy theorists. |
Parental Rights: |
A term used by opponents of trans rights to argue that parents should have the ultimate authority over whether their children receive gender-affirming care or education. |
Parochial: |
Suggesting that someone’s argument is too narrow-minded or provincial, dismissing their perspective as lacking global or theoretical awareness. |
Partial-Birth Abortion: |
A term used by opponents to describe late-term abortions, particularly those involving dilation and extraction, often used to evoke emotional reactions against the procedure. |
Participatory Democracy: |
A political system in which citizens have direct input into decisions, rather than relying solely on representatives, often cited as an ideal in movements for greater public engagement. |
Past-Life Regression: |
A hypnotic technique used to access supposed memories of past lives, with the belief that unresolved issues from previous incarnations can affect the present life. |
Path Dependency: |
A concept that suggests that decisions made in the past can heavily influence the trajectory of future decisions, often used in economics, politics, and social theory to explain institutional inertia. |
Patriarchy: |
A social system in which men hold primary power and are dominant in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. |
Patriot Act: |
A term referring to the U.S. legislation passed after 9/11, which expanded government surveillance powers. Criticized by civil liberties advocates as an overreach and praised by others as necessary for national security. |
Patriot Militia: |
Private, often armed, groups that claim to defend the U.S. Constitution and resist government overreach, usually against perceived threats to gun rights, personal freedoms, or sovereignty. |
Patriot Movement: |
A loosely affiliated group of far-right individuals and organizations that advocate for anti-government and anti-tax ideologies, often supporting gun rights and individual sovereignty. |
Patriotism vs. Nationalism: |
Liberals may criticize conservatives for conflating patriotism (love for one's country) with nationalism (an aggressive, exclusionary belief in national superiority). |
Patriotism: |
A sense of pride and loyalty toward one’s country, often invoked by nationalist groups as justification for their actions and ideologies. |
Patriots: |
A term used by some participants and supporters of the January 6th events to describe themselves as defenders of democracy and supporters of Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. |
Pax Americana: |
The concept that American dominance can maintain global peace and order, often used to justify U.S. interventionism and imperial-style influence around the world. |
Peace Dividend: |
A term used to describe the economic and social benefits that come from reduced military conflict, which supporters argue is achieved through international cooperation led by institutions like the UN and NATO. |
Peace Through Strength: |
A key tenet of neoconservative ideology, where a strong military presence and willingness to use force are believed to deter adversaries and promote global peace. |
Peaceful Protest: |
A term used by some defenders of the January 6th participants to downplay the violence that occurred, focusing instead on the peaceful aspects of the earlier rally before the Capitol breach. |
Peacekeeper: |
NATO’s peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and elsewhere are seen as essential for preventing genocide and maintaining stability in volatile regions. |
Peacekeeping: |
The deployment of international forces to help maintain peace and security in conflict zones, often promoted as a key aspect of interventionism in global security. |
Peacemaker: |
Carter is often praised for brokering the Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, one of his most significant foreign policy achievements. |
Pedantry: |
Focusing on small details or nitpicking minor errors in an argument to avoid addressing the larger points. It is often used to make someone seem overly concerned with trivialities. |
Pedo Gate: |
A term tied to Pizzagate and Epstein conspiracy theories, which falsely allege that elites, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, were involved in a global child trafficking ring. There is no credible evidence for this claim. |
PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West): |
A far-right anti-Islam movement in Europe that organizes protests against immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority countries. |
People-Pleaser: |
Refers to someone who tries too hard to make others happy at the expense of their own needs. It’s often used to criticize people who struggle with assertiveness or boundary setting. |
Pepe the Frog: |
Originally a harmless internet meme, Pepe became co-opted by some alt-right groups as a symbol of hate, leading to controversy around its use. |
Perception Management: |
The practice of controlling how information is presented in order to shape public perception or opinion, often linked to state or corporate propaganda. |
Performative Activism: |
A critique of individuals or organizations who engage in activism primarily for public approval or social media attention rather than genuine commitment to a cause. |
Performative Allyship: |
Superficial support of racial justice causes without genuine commitment or action, often criticized for being more about image than meaningful change. |
Performativity: |
A term from Judith Butler’s theory of gender, suggesting that gender is constructed through repeated actions or performances, rather than being an innate characteristic. Used to challenge traditional views of gender. |
Periodization: |
A training method where an athlete's workout intensity and volume are varied in cycles to prevent plateaus and improve performance. |
Permanent Austerity: |
A term used to describe the long-term economic consequences of neoliberal policies imposed by the IMF or World Bank, which critics argue lead to endless austerity measures in developing nations. |
Permanent War State: |
NATO and Western military interventions are often labeled as part of a "permanent war state," with critics arguing that endless military engagements serve corporate interests (e.g., defense contractors). |
Perpetual War Economy: |
A term used to criticize the way Western economies, particularly the U.S., benefit from continuous military interventions and defense spending, leading to endless conflicts. |
Personal AI Assistants: |
Advanced AI systems integrated into individuals' lives, providing highly personalized assistance in decision-making, communication, and everyday tasks, far beyond current digital assistants like Siri or Alexa. |
Personalized Medicine: |
The customization of medical treatments based on an individual’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment, made possible by advancements in genomics, big data, and AI. |
Petrodollar Imperialism: |
Critics argue that the U.S. uses its control over the global oil trade, particularly the petrodollar system, to exert control over global finance and maintain its hegemonic power. |
PhD Syndrome: |
A dismissive term used to mock academics who are seen as condescending or overconfident in their intellectual authority, implying they believe their degree gives them the right to speak on every topic. |
Phenomenology: |
The philosophical study of the structures of experience and consciousness. Using this term can make one’s argument seem more sophisticated, while implying that the opponent has not considered the subjective nature of experience. |
Philanthrocapitalism: |
A term used to describe the approach of billionaires like Gates, who use their wealth to fund charitable causes. Critics argue that this form of philanthropy increases the influence of the wealthy over public policy without democratic oversight. |
Philanthropist: |
A term used by supporters of Bill Gates to emphasize his vast charitable contributions through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. |
Phishing: |
A cyber attack in which criminals impersonate legitimate organizations or people to trick individuals into giving up sensitive information, like passwords or credit card numbers. |
Phony: |
A common critique is that Harris comes off as inauthentic or insincere, particularly in her public appearances and speeches. |
Physics Envy: |
The tendency for softer sciences (like psychology or economics) to attempt to emulate the precision and objectivity of physics, often leading to oversimplification and an exaggerated sense of certainty. |
Pineal Gland Decalcification: |
A theory in modern spirituality suggesting that the pineal gland (also called the Third Eye) becomes "calcified" through diet or environmental factors, and must be decalcified to access spiritual abilities. |
Ping: |
A network command to check if another computer is reachable over the internet, also colloquially used to get someone's attention. |
Pipeline Problem: |
A term often used to explain the underrepresentation of certain racial or ethnic groups in particular industries or higher-level positions, implying that there aren’t enough qualified candidates from those groups due to educational or systemic barriers. |
Pizzagate: |
A conspiracy theory falsely claiming that Hillary Clinton and other elites were involved in a child trafficking ring operating out of a pizza restaurant in Washington, D.C. This theory has been thoroughly debunked. |
Plandemic: |
A conspiracy theory term combining “plan” and “pandemic,” used by those who believe that Covid-19 was a premeditated effort by governments or elites to control populations. |
Planned Economy: |
An economic system in which the government or a central authority makes all decisions about the production and distribution of goods, as opposed to the free market system. |
Planned Obsolescence: |
A business strategy where products are intentionally designed with limited lifespans to encourage consumers to purchase replacements, often seen as a critical issue in discussions about sustainability and future economies. |
Planned Parenthood: |
A key organization that advocates for and provides reproductive health services, including abortion, often used as a symbol of the pro-choice movement. |
Plant Medicine: |
A term used to describe natural substances, such as ayahuasca or psilocybin mushrooms, used in rituals for healing, spiritual awakening, or connecting with higher dimensions. |
Plant Spirit Medicine: |
The belief that plants have consciousness and spiritual properties that can be harnessed for healing or insight, often linked to shamanic practices involving ayahuasca or peyote. |
Platform Censorship: |
The removal or restriction of content on online platforms (social media, streaming services, etc.) based on the platform’s guidelines or external pressures, often controversial when it intersects with freedom of speech. |
Plausible Deniability: |
The ability of officials to deny knowledge of or responsibility for any damnable actions committed by others in an organizational hierarchy. |
Playing Devil’s Advocate: |
Arguing for a position one does not necessarily believe in for the sake of argument, often used to explore all sides of an issue but sometimes criticized as undermining serious debate. |
Pleiadian: |
Refers to a group of extraterrestrial beings said to originate from the Pleiades star cluster, often claimed to be spiritually advanced and guiding human evolution. |
Pluralism: |
The acceptance and promotion of multiple perspectives, identities, and narratives, which postmodernism embraces to challenge dominant or singular viewpoints. |
Plutocracy: |
A term used to describe a society or system where the wealthy hold power and influence, often seen as an inevitable result of unchecked capitalism. |
Plyometrics: |
Explosive exercises that involve jumping and rapid muscle contractions, commonly used to improve power and speed. |
Podcasting Pioneer: |
Curry is credited with helping to create and popularize the podcasting format, earning admiration for his contributions to media innovation. |
Podfather: |
A nickname for Curry, recognizing his foundational role in developing and popularizing the podcasting medium. |
Pog/Poggers: |
A Twitch emote used to express excitement, joy, or hype. The term originally came from "PogChamp," an emote featuring a specific face reaction. |
Poisoning the Well: |
Presenting negative information about a person or argument before they have a chance to speak, biasing the audience against them. Example: "Before you listen to this person, remember, they’ve been caught lying before." |
Polarizer: |
Both left- and right-wing populists are criticized for promoting division and fostering an "us vs. them" mentality that deepens political and social rifts in society. |
Police Brutality: |
The excessive use of force by police, often disproportionately affecting people of color, particularly Black communities. |
Police Reform Advocate: |
Supporters admire Walz’s push for police reform, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, emphasizing accountability and justice. |
Political Correctness (PC): |
The avoidance of language or actions that could offend certain groups, often criticized by conservatives as restrictive and overly sensitive, while defended by progressives as a necessary step toward inclusivity. |
Political Correctness: |
A term used to describe the avoidance of language or actions that could offend marginalized groups. Critics argue that identity politics promotes excessive political correctness, stifling free speech and open debate. |
Political Obstructionists: |
Critics argue that the Squad’s focus on pushing progressive agendas has led to infighting within the Democratic Party, making it harder to pass moderate legislation. |
Political Opportunist: |
A term used by critics to suggest that Vance has shifted his political views to align with Trump-style populism to gain political power. |
Political Outsider: |
A positive term used by his followers to frame RFK Jr. as someone who challenges the political establishment and offers alternative views. |
Political Outsiders: |
Populist left figures are often seen as untainted by establishment politics, advocating for grassroots movements and challenging entrenched political elites. |
Political Prisoners: |
A term used by some on the right to describe individuals arrested and charged for their participation in the January 6th riot, suggesting they are being unjustly punished for political reasons. |
Political Tribalism: |
The idea that political discourse has become polarized, with people identifying more strongly with their political "tribe" than with nuanced, issue-based arguments |
Political Vendetta: |
A term used by Biden supporters to argue that ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden are motivated by political opponents trying to weaken President Joe Biden’s administration. |
Political Witch Hunt: |
A term used by supporters of the Biden family to describe investigations into Hunter Biden’s business dealings as politically motivated, designed to discredit Joe Biden. |
Pontificating: |
Speaking in a pompous or dogmatic manner, often without real knowledge or substance behind the statements. Pseudo-intellectuals are often accused of pontificating to make their arguments seem more authoritative. |
Popular Front: |
A coalition of different political groups or parties that come together to fight fascism, imperialism, or capitalism, often associated with left-wing movements. |
Population Control: |
A conspiracy theory suggesting that elites or governments are intentionally trying to reduce the global population through means like vaccines, pandemics, or environmental policies. |
Populism: |
A political approach that strives to appeal to the "common people" who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elites, often characterized by a rejection of traditional political parties. |
Populist Agitator: |
A critique of Brand’s approach to political commentary, suggesting that his rhetoric appeals to populist sentiments without offering practical solutions. |
Populist Conservative: |
Vance’s political positions, which focus on economic populism and nationalism, resonate with supporters who feel that mainstream politicians have abandoned the needs of average Americans. |
Populist Democrat: |
Gabbard is seen as a voice for the working class, particularly in her critiques of corporate influence in politics and military-industrial complex. |
Populist Extremist: |
Populist leaders are often accused of embracing extreme, uncompromising positions that threaten the stability and functionality of political systems. |
Populist Grifter: |
Critics argue that populist right leaders use populist rhetoric to gain support, but ultimately serve the interests of the wealthy and corporate elites once in power. |
Populist Hero: |
Supporters view Trump as a leader who stands up for the working class and challenges elites in Washington and corporate media. |
Populist Patriot: |
A term used by supporters to describe Vance’s platform as defending working-class Americans and standing up against elites. |
Populist Rebuttal: |
Arguing that intellectuals are out of touch with the real world and that their theories are irrelevant to everyday people's problems. This is often used to discredit intellectual arguments by labeling them as impractical. |
Populist Reporter: |
Pool’s focus on the concerns of everyday Americans, particularly issues of free speech, censorship, and populism, resonates with his audience. |
Populist Voice: |
Dore’s focus on issues affecting working-class Americans, particularly economic inequality and healthcare, resonates with many who see him as an advocate for the people. |
Positivism: |
A philosophy that suggests that only scientific knowledge derived from empirical, observable phenomena is valid, often criticized for dismissing other forms of inquiry, such as ethics or aesthetics. |
Positivist Orthodoxy: |
A rigid adherence to positivism, which holds that only empirical and observable evidence is valid. It is often critiqued for ignoring subjective experiences, cultural interpretations, and moral reasoning. |
Positivist Reductionism: |
The belief that everything can be explained through positive scientific methods, often criticized for being overly simplistic and ignoring the complexity of human experiences and emotions. |
Positivist Totalitarianism: |
A critique of the belief that all forms of knowledge and society should be governed by scientific methods and empirical evidence, excluding other forms of human understanding. |
Positivist Worship: |
A near-religious belief in positivism, the philosophy that all meaningful knowledge comes from sensory experience and scientific observation, often to the exclusion of philosophical, ethical, or experiential knowledge. |
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc (False Cause): |
Assuming that because one event followed another, the first caused the second. Example: "Ever since he became mayor, crime has gone up. He must be responsible for the increase in crime." |
Post-Abortion Syndrome: |
A controversial term used by anti-abortion activists to describe supposed psychological trauma experienced by women after an abortion, despite limited scientific evidence supporting this claim. |
Post-Colonialism: |
A critical framework that examines the lasting impact of colonialism on formerly colonized nations and peoples, often focusing on the ways in which race, power, and identity continue to be shaped by colonial histories. |
Post-Feminism: |
The belief that feminism has achieved its goals and is no longer necessary, often invoked by critics who argue that women now enjoy equal rights. |
Post-Growth Economy: |
An economic concept advocating for systems that do not rely on continuous economic growth, often discussed in the context of sustainability and environmental limits. |
Post-Presidential Statesman: |
Carter’s post-presidency work, including election monitoring, disease eradication, and conflict resolution, has elevated his legacy in the eyes of many. |
Post-Racial Society: |
A term used to argue that society has moved beyond racism, often used to critique identity politics for maintaining a focus on race in a supposedly "post-racial" world. |
Post-Scarcity Economy: |
A theoretical economic system where technology has made resources so abundant that scarcity is no longer an issue, potentially eliminating poverty, hunger, and economic inequality. |
Post-Structuralism: |
A philosophical approach that questions traditional structures of power and language, often used in literary and social theory. Accusing someone of being "structuralist" can imply that they are too rigid in their thinking. |
Post-Truth Era: |
A term used to describe the contemporary period in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion or personal belief, often attributed to postmodern skepticism about truth. |
Post-Truth: |
A political culture where debate is framed by appeals to emotion disconnected from factual rebuttals, and factual evidence is secondary to emotional appeal. |
Post-War Order Guardian: |
Supporters of Western hegemony often credit it for maintaining the post-WWII global order, which has prevented large-scale wars between major powers. |
Posthumanism: |
A philosophical movement that explores the implications of transcending traditional human limitations through technology, often in the context of AI, biotechnology, and transhumanism. |
Postmodern Cynicism: |
Critics argue that postmodernism promotes a cynical view of the world, where individuals are encouraged to distrust institutions, meaning, and morality, leaving them apathetic or disillusioned. |
Postmodernism: |
A philosophical movement characterized by skepticism toward grand narratives, objective truths, and universal values. Often invoked to critique an opponent's rigid or traditional views. |
Posturing: |
Using intellectual language or complex theories not to make a point but to impress others or signal one’s superiority in the debate. |
Power Politics: |
A type of political strategy where countries use military, economic, or diplomatic power to assert their dominance or protect their interests. |
Power Projection: |
The ability of a nation to use its military or economic power beyond its borders to influence global events, often seen as a justification for adventurous foreign actions. |
Pox on Both Your Houses: |
A phrase used to express disdain or frustration with both sides of a conflict or debate, often suggesting that neither side is right or worth supporting. |
PR (Personal Record): |
The best or fastest time, weight, or performance an individual has achieved in a particular exercise or workout. |
Praxis: |
The process by which theory is enacted or realized through practical action. In debates, it’s often used to critique someone for being all theory and no action, or for having impractical ideas. |
Precariat: |
A term describing the growing class of people in insecure, precarious jobs with little financial stability or security, often discussed in relation to gig economy work. |
Precarity: |
A term used to describe the condition of being insecure or unstable, especially in relation to employment, housing, or financial status, frequently cited in critiques of the gig economy. |
Precedent: |
A previous court decision or ruling that is considered as authority in deciding subsequent cases. |
Predictive Absolutism: |
The belief that predictive models, particularly those based on data and algorithms, can perfectly forecast future outcomes, often criticized for ignoring the unpredictability and complexity of human behavior. |
Predictive Policing: |
The use of data and algorithms to predict where crimes might occur or who might commit them, raising concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse by governments. |
Predictive Scientism: |
The belief that science can accurately predict all future events, behaviors, or societal trends, often criticized for overconfidence in predictive models. |
Preemptive Engagement: |
A proactive approach to foreign policy that involves engaging in international issues early, often in adventurous or risky ways, to prevent threats from emerging. |
Preemptive Strike Enthusiast: |
Detractors accuse neoconservatives of advocating for preemptive military actions that lead to unnecessary wars, destabilization, and loss of life, often based on faulty intelligence (e.g., Iraq’s WMDs). |
Preemptive Strike: |
A military intervention aimed at preventing an imminent threat or attack from another country, often used to justify interventionist policies. |
Preemptive War: |
Neoconservative doctrine supports preemptive military action against perceived threats, often praised by supporters as a necessary means of ensuring national security. |
Prefigurative Politics: |
The practice of building new systems and structures in the present that reflect the society revolutionaries want to create after capitalism and the state are dismantled. |
Prepper: |
An individual who prepares for potential societal collapse or disaster by stockpiling food, weapons, and other supplies, often tied to anti-government movements. |
Pretentious: |
Describes someone who uses unnecessarily complex language or references in order to appear more intelligent or sophisticated than they really are. |
Preventive Diplomacy: |
A policy of engaging in diplomacy and international cooperation to prevent conflicts before they escalate, as opposed to the isolationist preference for non-involvement. |
Preventive War: |
The idea that military intervention is justified to prevent a potential future threat from developing, even if an attack is not imminent. |
Prior Restraint: |
Government actions that prevent speech or publication before it occurs, considered one of the most extreme forms of censorship. |
Private Property: |
A central tenet of capitalism, where individuals or businesses have the right to own and control assets, such as land, resources, or businesses. |
Privatization Advocate: |
Neoliberalism is often praised for pushing the privatization of industries and services, which supporters believe leads to more efficient and effective operations than government-run services. |
Privatization Zealot: |
Critics argue that neoliberalism’s push for privatization of public services often leads to inequality, reduced access, and lower quality of services, particularly in healthcare and education. |
Privilege Awareness: |
Encouraging individuals to recognize their own privileges based on their identity (e.g., race, gender, class) and to use that awareness to support marginalized groups. |
Privilege Check: |
Asking someone to acknowledge their advantages due to race, gender, class, etc., when discussing social issues. |
Privilege Checking: |
A process of recognizing and reflecting on one’s own social, economic, or racial privileges in conversations about inequality or justice. |
Privilege Walk: |
An activity used in diversity and inclusion workshops where participants step forward or backward based on their experiences with privilege or marginalization. It is designed to help people recognize the different levels of privilege they may have based on race, gender, class, etc. |
Privilege: |
Advantages or benefits held by a certain group, often discussed in the context of race, gender, or socio-economic status. |
Pro-Business: |
Supporters argue that neoliberal policies, such as tax cuts and deregulation, create a business-friendly environment that fosters entrepreneurship and economic growth. |
Pro-Choice: |
The belief that individuals should have the legal right to choose whether to have an abortion, without government interference. |
Pro-Israel Stance: |
Neoconservatives are often strong supporters of Israel, advocating for a close U.S.-Israel relationship and supporting Israeli security against regional threats. |
Pro-Life: |
The belief that abortion should be illegal or restricted because human life begins at conception, and that all unborn lives should be protected. |
Pro-Nationalist/Pro-Sovereignty: |
Both left- and right-wing populists can advocate for national sovereignty, rejecting globalist policies and promoting policies that prioritize their country’s interests. |
Pro-Trade Agreements: |
Neoliberal advocates often support trade agreements like NAFTA and TPP, seeing them as vehicles for increased economic integration and prosperity. |
Pro-Western Alignment: |
A phrase used to describe Ukraine’s growing ties with Europe and NATO, viewed favorably by pro-democracy advocates but criticized by Russia as undermining its influence. |
Pro-Worker Protectionist: |
Populist right figures are seen as advocates for the working class by opposing free trade agreements that they argue harm domestic industries and jobs. |
Progressive Advocate: |
Harris is praised for her support of progressive policies, including healthcare reform, criminal justice reform, and climate action. |
Progressive Champion: |
AOC is praised by her supporters for advocating for progressive policies like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and criminal justice reform. |
Progressive Environmentalist: |
Walz is praised for his strong stance on environmental issues, including promoting clean energy and efforts to combat climate change. |
Progressive Firebrand: |
Supporters see Dore as a passionate advocate for progressive policies, especially Medicare for All and ending U.S. foreign interventions. |
Progressive Governor: |
Walz is praised by his supporters for his progressive policies on healthcare, education, and climate change, positioning Minnesota as a progressive leader in the Midwest. |
Progressive Overload: |
The principle of gradually increasing the weight, frequency, or intensity of a workout to continually challenge the body and promote gains. |
Progressive Powerhouse: |
The Squad, a group of progressive women of color in Congress, is praised by supporters for pushing bold reforms on climate, healthcare, and racial justice. |
Progressive Prosecutor: |
Harris is admired by some for her work as a prosecutor and attorney general, where she championed progressive criminal justice reforms. |
Progressive Realist: |
A term used to describe her combination of progressive social policies with a pragmatic, realist approach to foreign policy. |
Projection: |
A psychological term used to describe someone attributing their own feelings or desires onto another person. In pop psychology, it’s often used condescendingly to dismiss others’ criticisms or concerns as self-reflection. |
Proletariat: |
The working class in Marxist theory, which is exploited under capitalism but seen as the revolutionary force that will create a communist society. |
Prolonged Occupation Advocate: |
Critics accuse neoconservatives of supporting extended military occupations in foreign countries, leading to quagmire situations with no clear exit strategy. |
Pronoun Respect: |
The practice of using an individual’s chosen pronouns as a form of respect and acknowledgment of their gender identity. |
Propaganda Model: |
A concept introduced by Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky that argues media serves the interests of powerful elites and corporations, subtly shaping public perception to align with their interests. |
Propaganda: |
Information, often biased or misleading, spread to promote a particular political cause or point of view. Used in anti-propaganda efforts to identify and counteract state-sponsored or political disinformation. |
Propagandist: |
Carlson is often described as promoting partisan propaganda, particularly for the far-right and Trump-aligned populists. |
Protect the Unborn: |
A rallying cry among anti-abortion advocates to focus on safeguarding the rights and lives of unborn fetuses. |
Protect Women’s Sports: |
A slogan used by opponents of trans rights to argue that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports is unfair and undermines the integrity of women’s athletics. |
Protector of Russia: |
A phrase used by pro-Putin voices to frame him as a defender of Russian interests against Western imperialism and NATO expansion. |
Proud Boys: |
A far-right, male-only group that identifies as "Western chauvinists" and engages in street-level confrontations with left-wing groups, particularly Antifa, and supports nationalist and anti-immigration ideologies. |
Proxy War: |
A conflict between two nations or entities where neither side directly engages the other, but both use third parties to fight on their behalf. |
Pseudo-Intellectual: |
Critics argue that Brand’s philosophical musings and political critiques lack depth or coherence, accusing him of overcomplicating or trivializing serious issues. |
Pseudointellectual: |
A derogatory term for someone who pretends to be intelligent or knowledgeable but lacks true understanding or insight. |
Pseudointellectualism: |
The act of pretending to be knowledgeable or intelligent by using highbrow language and concepts without truly understanding them. |
Pseudoscience: |
Refers to beliefs or practices that claim to be scientific but lack the evidence or methodology to be accepted as legitimate science, often associated with conspiracy theories (e.g., anti-vaccine movements). |
Psychic Surgery: |
A fraudulent practice where practitioners claim to remove disease or tumors through non-surgical methods, often considered quackery and pseudoscience. |
Psychological Operations (PsyOps): |
A term used by governments or military organizations to describe the use of propaganda, disinformation, or psychological tactics to influence and control public perception. |
Psychological Projection: |
Attributing one’s own undesirable traits or emotions to someone else. |
Psychological Warfare (PsyOps): |
The use of propaganda, misinformation, and psychological manipulation to weaken the morale or decision-making ability of an opponent, often employed during conflicts or political upheavals. |
PsyOps (Psychological Operations): |
Military operations designed to influence the emotions, beliefs, and behavior of the enemy, often through misinformation or propaganda. |
Public-Private Partnership: |
A term often used positively to describe cooperation between governments and corporations to solve societal problems, but sometimes criticized as prioritizing corporate profits over public welfare. |
Putinism: |
A term referring to the authoritarian policies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, often criticized for human rights abuses and suppression of opposition. |
PvE (Player vs. Environment): |
Refers to combat or challenges against the game’s AI rather than other players. |
PvP (Player vs. Player): |
A type of gameplay in MMORPGs where players fight against each other instead of the game's environment or NPCs (non-player characters). |
Pwned: |
A typo-turned-slang meaning "owned," used to indicate dominance over someone, especially in online gaming. |
QAnon: |
A conspiracy theory that posits a secret cabal of elites involved in child trafficking and Satanism, with "Q" being an anonymous figure revealing this information to the public through cryptic messages. |
Quackery: |
The promotion of fraudulent or ignorant medical practices, often by someone pretending to have medical or scientific knowledge. Used to describe pseudoscientific health claims. |
Quagmire: |
A term used by critics to describe the prolonged and seemingly unwinnable conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, drawing comparisons to the Vietnam War. |
Quantification Fallacy: |
The mistaken belief that if something cannot be quantified or measured, it is not valuable or real. This criticism is often aimed at those who over-rely on data and metrics. |
Quantitative Easing: |
A monetary policy used by central banks to stimulate the economy by buying financial assets, often criticized for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy. |
Quantitative Idolatry: |
The excessive reverence or worship of numbers, data, and quantifiable metrics in decision-making processes, often to the detriment of qualitative aspects like ethics, emotions, and human experience. |
Quantitative Monoculture: |
The critique of a society that prioritizes quantitative data and metrics above all else, marginalizing qualitative insights, ethical debates, and emotional considerations. |
Quantitative Supremacy: |
The overvaluation of quantitative research (data, numbers, and statistics) at the expense of qualitative research (personal stories, subjective experience). This reflects the scientistic belief that only what can be measured is meaningful. |
Quantum Computing: |
A form of computing that uses quantum bits (qubits) to perform calculations at speeds far greater than traditional computers, offering massive potential for fields like cryptography, drug discovery, and complex simulations. |
Quantum Cryptography: |
A future-proof encryption method that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to create unbreakable codes, promising secure communications in a post-quantum computing world. |
Quantum Entanglement (Misuse): |
Quantum mechanics is sometimes distorted in woo-woo circles to suggest that everything in the universe is connected on a spiritual or energetic level, despite the scientific concept being unrelated to these claims. |
Quantum Entanglement Communication: |
A futuristic communication technology leveraging quantum entanglement to enable instantaneous, ultra-secure communication across vast distances, potentially revolutionizing internet security. |
Quantum Healing: |
A pseudoscientific concept claiming that quantum physics can explain the body’s ability to heal itself through consciousness, often popularized by figures like Deepak Chopra. |
Quantum Internet: |
A future network that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to create ultra-secure communication channels, theoretically making eavesdropping impossible. |
Quantum Jumping: |
A form of visualization or meditation that claims to allow people to "jump" between parallel realities or dimensions to manifest their ideal lives. |
Quantum Mechanics Misuse: |
The distortion of quantum physics principles to justify spiritual or alternative health practices, often without a legitimate connection to actual scientific theories. |
Quantum Supremacy: |
The point at which quantum computers surpass classical computers in solving complex problems that are currently unsolvable with today’s technology. |
Queer Liberation: |
The idea that LGBTQ+ people should not only seek legal rights but also challenge heteronormativity and traditional gender roles. |
Queer Theory: |
An academic field that challenges the categories of sex, gender, and sexuality, arguing that they are socially constructed. Used to critique binary or essentialist views on identity. |
Quid Pro Quo Diplomacy: |
A type of negotiation where one side offers something in exchange for a concession or action from the other side. |
Quid Pro Quo: |
A favor or advantage granted in return for something, often used in political scandals involving corruption or the expectation of personal gain. |
Quiet Quitting: |
A term for doing the bare minimum at work rather than going above and beyond, often used dismissively to criticize someone’s work ethic or commitment. |
Quixotic Foreign Policy: |
A dismissive term used to describe foreign adventures that are seen as idealistic, impractical, or bound to fail, reminiscent of Don Quixote’s impossible quests. |
Race Baiter: |
A derogatory term used by some critics, accusing Obama of stoking racial tensions through policies and rhetoric, particularly in the wake of incidents like the Trayvon Martin case and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. |
Race Card: |
A dismissive phrase used to accuse someone of unfairly or inappropriately bringing race into a conversation, often to invalidate concerns about racism. |
Race Hustling: |
A derogatory term used by critics of racial identity politics to describe individuals or groups who are seen as exploiting racial issues for personal or political gain. |
Race Mixing: |
A derogatory term used to criticize or oppose interracial relationships or families, rooted in ideas of racial purity. |
Race Realism: |
A euphemism for scientific racism, promoting the idea that racial differences, particularly in intelligence or behavior, are biologically determined. |
Race to the Bottom: |
A criticism of globalization, suggesting that countries compete by lowering labor, environmental, and regulatory standards to attract foreign investment, leading to exploitation and harm to workers. |
Race Traitor: |
A derogatory term used to describe someone, typically a white person, who is perceived as betraying their race by supporting racial equality or associating with non-white groups. |
Race War: |
A term used by white nationalists to describe an imagined future conflict between different racial groups, often seen as a justification for violent action to protect or secure the "white race." |
Racial Capitalism: |
A concept that highlights how capitalism inherently relies on racial exploitation, with racial inequality often driving economic inequality. This theory suggests that capitalism cannot exist without racism. |
Racial Colorism: |
The discrimination based on skin tone within racial or ethnic groups, where lighter skin is often privileged over darker skin, reinforcing racial hierarchies. |
Racial Dog Whistles: |
Code words or phrases used in political speech that appear neutral but are intended to signal support for racist attitudes or policies to certain groups. Examples include terms like "law and order" or "urban problems" that can have racially coded meanings. |
Racial Equity: |
The condition where race no longer determines one’s access to resources and opportunities, and all racial groups can thrive equally. |
Racial Formation: |
A theory that emphasizes how social, economic, and political forces shape and transform racial categories over time. It explores how race is constantly being constructed and reconstructed in society. |
Racial Gaslighting: |
A form of manipulation where people or institutions deny or minimize the experiences of racism or racial inequality faced by minorities. |
Racial Hierarchy: |
A system of ranking different racial groups in a society, with some races considered superior and others inferior. This hierarchy is often maintained by laws, social practices, and institutions. |
Racial Hygiene: |
A concept used by Nazi Germany and other eugenicists to justify the forced sterilization, segregation, and extermination of individuals deemed racially or genetically "inferior." |
Racial Justice: |
The pursuit of policies and actions that address historical and systemic racism. Identity politics often focuses on racial justice as a key area of concern. |
Racial Liminality: |
The experience of existing in a space between two or more racial or cultural identities, often feeling neither fully included nor excluded from either group. This term is commonly used by people of mixed-race backgrounds. |
Racial Melancholia: |
A psychoanalytic term used to describe the mourning or emotional pain felt by individuals of marginalized racial groups due to their exclusion from dominant social and cultural narratives. |
Racial Microcosm: |
The idea that smaller communities, institutions, or organizations often reflect broader societal racial dynamics, serving as microcosms of systemic racism or inequality. |
Racial Pay Gap: |
The disparity in earnings between people of different racial or ethnic groups, often with white workers earning more than their counterparts of color, even when holding similar positions or qualifications. |
Racial Profiling: |
The discriminatory practice by law enforcement or others in authority of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnicity rather than actual evidence. |
Racial Purity: |
The belief in preserving the "purity" of a particular race by preventing intermarriage or mixing with other races, often associated with white supremacist ideologies. |
Racial Quotas (Criticism): |
A term often used in opposition to affirmative action policies, suggesting that hiring or admitting individuals based on race creates an unfair advantage and constitutes "reverse racism." |
Racial Quotas: |
A controversial term referring to policies that set specific numbers or percentages of racial or ethnic groups in hiring, education, or other sectors. Opponents often argue that it is a form of "reverse discrimination." |
Racial Reparations: |
Proposals to compensate Black Americans and other marginalized groups for the enduring impacts of slavery, segregation, and systemic racial discrimination. |
Racial Scapegoating: |
Blaming a particular racial or ethnic group for societal problems, often to deflect responsibility from the real causes of issues like economic downturns or crime. |
Racial Slur: |
Offensive and derogatory terms used to demean or dehumanize individuals based on their race or ethnicity (e.g., the N-word, slurs against Latinx, Asian, or Jewish communities). |
Racial Tokenism: |
The practice of including a small number of people from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups in a superficial way, often to give the appearance of diversity without addressing deeper systemic issues. |
Racial Trauma: |
The emotional and psychological harm experienced by people of color as a result of repeated exposure to racism, discrimination, and systemic oppression. This trauma can manifest in symptoms similar to PTSD. |
Racial Wealth Gap: |
The disparity in wealth between white people and people of color, primarily caused by historical inequalities like slavery, segregation, redlining, and unequal access to economic opportunities. |
Racialization: |
The process by which certain groups are ascribed racial identities and stereotypes by society, often reinforcing hierarchies or social inequalities. |
Racialized Capitalism: |
A critique of capitalism that highlights how racial hierarchies are embedded in economic systems. It suggests that capitalism cannot function without exploiting people of color and reinforcing racial inequalities. |
Racialized Language: |
Language that carries racial connotations, often reinforcing stereotypes or perpetuating racist ideas. This includes seemingly neutral terms that are used disproportionately to describe certain racial groups. |
Racist Dog-Whistler: |
Critics accuse Carlson of using coded language to appeal to racist sentiments, particularly in his discussions on immigration and race. |
Racist: |
Many critics accuse Trump of using racist language and promoting policies that disproportionately harm people of color, particularly in his immigration and criminal justice stances. |
Radical Empathy: |
A concept in social justice movements that emphasizes the need for individuals, particularly those with privilege, to deeply understand and actively work to address the experiences and struggles of marginalized groups. |
Radical Feminism: |
A term used by critics to describe feminists who are seen as extreme or militant in their views, often implying that their demands for gender equality are unreasonable. |
Radical Inclusion: |
A call for policies and practices that not only include marginalized groups but also actively transform institutions to reflect the values, needs, and experiences of those groups. |
Radical Left: |
A broad term used to describe individuals or groups that advocate for systemic change or revolutionary overthrow of capitalism, often through socialism, communism, or anarchism. |
Radical Leftists: |
Critics label the Squad as too far left, associating them with socialism and policies that they argue would lead to economic ruin and government overreach. |
Radical Life Extension: |
The belief that future scientific and technological advancements will allow humans to dramatically extend their lifespans, potentially leading to centuries-long or indefinite life spans. |
Radical Socialist: |
Critics argue that AOC’s policies, such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, are too extreme and align with socialist ideologies that they believe would harm the economy. |
Radical Transparency: |
A philosophy advocating for full openness and disclosure in governance, business, or personal interactions, often praised for promoting accountability but criticized for infringing on privacy. |
Radicalization: |
The process by which individuals or groups adopt extreme political, social, or religious ideals, often with the goal of transforming or overthrowing the existing system. |
Rape Culture: |
A sociological concept describing a culture in which rape and sexual violence are normalized or excused. |
Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria: |
A controversial term used by critics to suggest that transgender identities among youth, particularly girls, are a sudden and socially influenced phenomenon. |
Ratio: |
When a tweet or post has significantly more replies (often negative) than likes or retweets, indicating disapproval or backlash from the audience. |
Ratioed: |
A post or tweet that receives significantly more negative comments or responses than likes or retweets, usually indicating disapproval. |
Rational Worship: |
The elevation of rationality and reason above all other ways of knowing, sometimes criticized for dismissing emotions, spirituality, and subjective experiences. |
Rationalism: |
An approach that emphasizes reason and logic as the primary sources of knowledge. While valuable, it’s sometimes overused to dismiss subjective or emotional experiences as irrelevant. |
Rationalist Fanaticism: |
A critique of individuals or movements that elevate rationality and scientific evidence to the level of fanaticism, dismissing anything that cannot be empirically verified as unimportant or misguided. |
Rationalist Orthodoxy: |
A system where rationality and science are treated as the only legitimate paths to knowledge, often dismissing emotional, spiritual, or artistic insights. |
Rationalist Priests: |
A pejorative term describing intellectuals or scientists who are seen as gatekeepers of "rational" truth, discrediting or marginalizing perspectives outside of scientific rationalism. |
Rationalist Reductionism: |
Reducing complex human experiences, emotions, or behaviors solely to rational, scientific explanations, often criticized for ignoring the spiritual, emotional, or cultural dimensions of life. |
Rationalistic Dogma: |
The elevation of reason and logic above all other ways of knowing, often dismissing emotional, ethical, or artistic insights as irrelevant or inferior. |
Rationalistic Elitism: |
The belief that only those who rely on reason and science are qualified to make decisions for society, often criticized for marginalizing other voices or perspectives. |
Reaction GIF: |
A short animated image (GIF) used to convey an emotion or reaction in response to another post or comment, often from movies or TV shows. |
Reactionary: |
A term used to describe both left- and right-wing populists as reactionary, pushing back against progress or trying to revert to outdated policies. |
Read My Lips, No New Taxes: |
A campaign promise made by H.W. Bush that he later broke by raising taxes. This broken promise became a major point of criticism and contributed to his loss in the 1992 election. |
Reagan Democrats: |
Working-class voters, particularly in the Rust Belt, who traditionally voted for Democrats but switched to support Reagan. They’re often seen as a key factor in his electoral success, though critics argue that Reagan’s policies ultimately hurt them economically. |
Reagan Revolution: |
A phrase used by supporters to describe the political and cultural shift brought about by Reagan’s presidency, emphasizing conservatism, free-market economics, and a strong military. Detractors argue that the so-called revolution increased inequality and marginalized vulnerable populations. |
Reaganomics: |
A term referring to the economic policies of President Ronald Reagan, which emphasized tax cuts, deregulation, and free-market capitalism. Supporters argue it led to economic growth, while critics say it increased inequality and national debt. |
Real-Time Fact-Checking: |
Fact-checking that occurs as events or statements are happening, particularly during live broadcasts or social media discussions. It’s an attempt to curb the spread of misinformation as quickly as possible. |
Realpolitik Practitioner: |
Nixon is praised by some for his pragmatic approach to foreign policy, focusing on national interests and strategic advantages rather than ideological purity. |
Realpolitik: |
A pragmatic approach to politics and diplomacy that prioritizes national interests and power over ideology, ethics, or moral considerations. |
Receipts: |
Evidence or proof, often in the form of screenshots, used to support a claim or expose someone's behavior in online arguments. |
Reckless Expansionism: |
A criticism of foreign policies that involve unnecessary or dangerous actions abroad, often leading to destabilization or conflict. |
Recognition Politics: |
A branch of identity politics focused on the recognition of specific identities in the public sphere, such as LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and gender identity. |
Reconquista: |
A term borrowed from the Spanish Reconquista (the reconquest of Spain from the Moors) used by European nationalists to describe their desire to reclaim Europe from non-European migrants. |
Red Flag Laws: |
Laws that allow for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others, often opposed by far-right groups as an infringement on Second Amendment rights. |
Red Flag: |
A term used to identify warning signs of problematic behavior in relationships or social situations. When used casually, it can be condescending, implying someone’s behavior is categorically bad without nuance. |
Red Herring: |
A diversionary tactic that shifts attention away from the main issue to something unrelated or less significant. |
Red Pill Radicalization: |
A criticism of Tate for contributing to radicalizing young men with extreme views on gender, relationships, and society through Red Pill ideology. |
Red Pill: |
A term derived from The Matrix, used by populist and far-right groups to describe someone who has “awakened” to the perceived truth of how globalist elites or leftists manipulate society. |
Red Pill/Blue Pill: |
Derived from The Matrix, where the red pill represents embracing difficult or uncomfortable truths, while the blue pill represents remaining in comfortable ignorance. |
Red Power Movement: |
A Native American civil rights movement that began in the 1960s and sought to gain rights, sovereignty, and land back for Indigenous peoples. The movement is a key part of Indigenous anti-racist activism. |
Red Scare: |
Refers to the fear of communism, often resulting in political witch hunts and public paranoia, but also used more broadly to describe exaggerated fears of subversive ideologies. |
Redaction: |
The process of editing or blacking out sensitive or classified information from documents before they are made public. |
Redistribution Extremist: |
Opponents argue that the populist left’s emphasis on wealth redistribution is extreme and would harm the economy by discouraging investment and innovation. |
Redlining: |
A discriminatory practice where banks and insurance companies refuse or limit loans, mortgages, or insurance within specific geographic areas, often predominantly Black or minority communities. |
Reductio ad Absurdum: |
Extending an opponent’s argument to ridiculous extremes to make it appear foolish. Example: "If we start regulating businesses, pretty soon we’ll be regulating every aspect of our lives, even how many breaths we take." |
Reductio ad Hitlerum (Playing the Nazi Card): |
Comparing someone or something to Hitler or the Nazis as a way of discrediting them, often without relevance to the actual argument. Example: "You support that policy? That’s something Hitler would have done." |
Reductionism: |
The practice of reducing complex systems or phenomena to their simpler components, often criticized as an oversimplification in discussions of scientism or science’s limits. |
Reductionist Materialism: |
The view that everything can be explained in terms of physical matter, with no need for spiritual, emotional, or subjective dimensions. This is a hallmark of extreme scientism, criticized for its lack of holistic thinking. |
Reductionist Scientism: |
The belief that all complex phenomena, including human consciousness, culture, and ethics, can be reduced to simple scientific principles, often ignoring the emergent, holistic aspects of life. |
Regime Change Advocate: |
Neoconservatives are criticized for their aggressive foreign policy, particularly their support for overthrowing governments in countries like Iraq, Libya, and Syria, which many argue leads to unintended consequences. |
Regime Change: |
A term often used by proponents of the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions, referring to the U.S. goal of removing hostile governments and replacing them with democratic systems. Critics argue that this approach caused instability and prolonged conflict. |
Regressive Taxation: |
Refers to tax policies where lower-income individuals pay a higher percentage of their income than the wealthy, often cited in debates about tax fairness and inequality. |
Regulator-in-Chief: |
A term used by critics to describe Obama’s presidency as overly focused on government regulation, particularly in business, environmental, and healthcare sectors. |
Reification: |
Treating an abstract concept as though it is real or concrete. Often used to criticize someone for simplifying complex social phenomena into overly rigid categories. |
Reincarnation: |
The belief that after death, the soul is reborn into a new body, with the cycle continuing until enlightenment or spiritual liberation is achieved. |
Rejecting Feminism: |
Many in the manosphere believe that modern feminism has gone too far and advocate for rejecting feminist ideals in favor of traditional gender roles. |
Rekt: |
Internet slang for "wrecked," often used to describe someone being defeated, humiliated, or embarrassed in an online game or argument. |
Relative Privation (Not as Bad As): |
Dismissing a concern or argument by comparing it to a worse situation, implying that it’s not worth addressing. Example: "Why worry about the environment when there are people starving in the world?" |
Relativism: |
The belief that truth, morality, and meaning are not universal but are shaped by cultural, historical, and individual contexts, challenging the notion of absolute truth. |
Relativistic Nonsense: |
A pejorative term used to dismiss postmodernism's rejection of absolute truths, suggesting that it leads to intellectual incoherence and moral ambiguity. |
Religious Duty: |
The belief that individuals have obligations to fulfill based on their religious teachings, often invoked to justify actions or policies rooted in faith. |
Religious Freedom for All: |
The belief that all religious beliefs, including Satanism, should be protected under the same laws that protect more mainstream religions. |
Religious Freedom: |
A term used by opponents of LGBTQ+ rights to argue that individuals or businesses should be able to refuse service or recognition of same-sex marriages based on religious beliefs. |
Religious Fundamentalism: |
A belief in the strict, literal interpretation of religious texts, often used to criticize conservative or right-wing religious groups. |
Religious Heritage: |
The belief that a nation’s cultural and legal systems are deeply rooted in religious traditions, and that these should be preserved in contemporary society. |
Religious Hypocrisy: |
A critique of religious figures or organizations that do not practice the moral values they preach, often used to discredit their authority. |
Religious Indoctrination: |
The practice of teaching religious beliefs in a way that discourages questioning or critical thinking, often used as a critique by secularists or atheists. |
Religious Liberty: |
The belief that individuals and communities should have the freedom to practice their religion without government interference, often used to defend religious practices or beliefs in public life. |
Religious Pluralism: |
The belief that all religions, including non-traditional or controversial ones like Satanism, should be allowed to exist and be practiced freely in society. |
Religious Revival: |
The process of reinvigorating or expanding religious belief and practice, often associated with movements like the Great Awakening or modern evangelical efforts. |
Rendition: |
The practice of capturing and transferring suspects to countries where interrogation techniques, including torture, could be used more freely. Critics view it as a violation of international law. |
Renewable Energy: |
Energy sourced from natural processes that are continuously replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, promoted as key to combating climate change. |
Rent-Seeking: |
An economic term describing how individuals or companies gain wealth without creating new value, often through monopolies, lobbying for favorable regulations, or exploiting public resources. |
Reparative Justice: |
An approach to justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by historical injustices, such as slavery or colonialism, through restitution, reconciliation, or material compensation. |
Replacement Theory: |
A conspiracy theory that suggests there is an intentional effort to replace the white population in Western countries with immigrants and non-white people, often promoted by far-right groups. |
Reply Guy: |
A person who frequently replies to posts, especially tweets, often offering unsolicited advice or comments, sometimes with a condescending or self-important tone. |
Representation Matters: |
A core idea in identity politics that argues for the importance of diverse representation in media, politics, and leadership to reflect and address the needs of different identity groups. |
Representation: |
Proponents of identity politics advocate for increased representation of marginalized groups in leadership roles, media, and politics, as a way to ensure that diverse perspectives are included. Critics argue that representation alone is not enough, and that focusing solely on identity can detract from qualifications or merit. |
Reproductive Freedom: |
The belief that individuals should have the freedom to make decisions about their reproductive health, including the right to abortion, contraception, and fertility treatments. |
Reproductive Justice: |
A broader framework that links reproductive rights to social justice issues like economic inequality, racial disparities, and access to healthcare. |
Reproductive Rights: |
Refers to the rights of individuals to make decisions about their reproductive health, including the right to access abortion. |
Resistance Fighter: |
A more neutral term than "freedom fighter" or "terrorist," used to describe those fighting against occupying forces, often used in historical contexts like World War II or modern-day occupations. |
Resistance: |
A term used by pro-Palestinian voices to describe the actions of Hamas and other militant groups, framing them as part of a legitimate struggle against Israeli occupation. |
Respawn: |
The process by which characters or items reappear after being defeated or used, often in gaming contexts. |
Responsibility to Protect (R2P): |
A global political commitment endorsing intervention when a state is failing to protect its population from genocide, war crimes, or other atrocities. |
Responsible Gun Ownership: |
The belief that individuals can own and use firearms safely and responsibly, often used to argue against further gun control measures. |
Resting B*tch Face (RBF): |
Refers to a neutral facial expression that appears unfriendly or unapproachable. It can be used dismissively or mockingly to imply someone is unintentionally unwelcoming or negative. |
Restitution: |
The act of making amends for racial injustice, including economic compensation or restoring stolen land or resources to Indigenous or marginalized communities. |
Restorative Hiring: |
A hiring practice that focuses on intentionally recruiting people from historically marginalized communities, especially those who have been systematically excluded from certain industries or positions. |
Restorative Justice Circles: |
A practice used in both educational and legal settings where victims and offenders come together to discuss the harm caused and work towards reconciliation. It is often used as an alternative to punitive justice systems, particularly for communities of color. |
Restorative Justice: |
A framework used in identity politics that seeks to repair harm done to marginalized communities through collective action, reconciliation, and policy changes. |
Restorative Practices: |
A framework for building and maintaining healthy relationships that emphasizes repair, reconciliation, and accountability. Used in racial justice efforts to address the harms caused by systemic racism. |
Resveratrol: |
A compound found in red wine and certain plants, often promoted as an anti-aging supplement due to its supposed effects on cellular health and longevity. |
Reverse Colonialism: |
A conspiracy theory suggesting that former colonial powers (often white countries) are being "colonized" by immigrants from non-Western countries, reversing the historical roles of colonization. |
Reverse Racism: |
A term used by opponents of identity politics to suggest that policies or actions meant to address racial inequality (such as affirmative action) are discriminatory against white people. |
Reverse Sexism: |
A term used by opponents of feminism to argue that feminist policies or attitudes discriminate against men, particularly in areas like family law, education, and employment. |
Revolution: |
A fundamental and often violent overthrow of a political and economic system, with the goal of replacing it with a more just and equitable system. |
Revolutionary Praxis: |
The practical application of revolutionary theory in the pursuit of political or social change, often involving direct action, organizing, or protest. |
Revolutionary Vanguard: |
A group of revolutionary leaders or intellectuals who guide the working class toward overthrowing the capitalist system. |
Revolutionary Voice: |
Brand is seen by some as a radical voice for political and social change, particularly for his critiques of capitalism, consumerism, and government corruption. |
Rhodes Scholar: |
Often cited by supporters to emphasize Bill Clinton’s intelligence and prestigious academic background. |
Right of Return: |
The demand that Palestinian refugees and their descendants be allowed to return to their homes and land from which they were displaced during the Nakba. |
Right-Wing Ally: |
Some on the left accuse Dore of pandering to right-wing audiences by aligning with figures like Tucker Carlson or amplifying right-wing talking points. |
Right-Wing Apologist: |
A critique that Gabbard’s views, particularly on foreign policy, align too closely with conservative and authoritarian regimes. |
Right-Wing Demagogue: |
A term used by critics who believe Carlson promotes divisive rhetoric that stokes fear and hatred, especially against marginalized groups. |
Right-Wing Enabler: |
Some critics argue that Pool’s focus on criticizing the left, while downplaying or excusing right-wing actions, serves to amplify far-right talking points. |
Right-Wing Extremist: |
Some on the left argue that Vance’s positions, particularly his views on immigration, are aligned with the far-right and are too extreme for mainstream politics. |
Right-Wing Panderer: |
Some critics argue that Curry’s critiques of mainstream media and government align too closely with right-wing populist rhetoric. |
RM (Repetition Maximum): |
The maximum amount of weight that can be lifted for a specific number of repetitions (e.g., 1RM is the maximum weight for one repetition). |
RNG (Random Number Generator): |
Refers to the element of chance in games where outcomes, like loot drops, are determined randomly. |
Robotic Utopia: |
A future vision where robots perform all necessary labor, freeing humans to focus on leisure, creativity, or self-improvement. |
Rogue Journalist: |
Pool’s willingness to cover stories on the ground, often in dangerous or controversial situations, earns him respect as a journalist who takes risks for the truth. |
Role Model: |
Harris’s rise to power is seen as an inspiration to women and people of color, demonstrating that they can succeed in politics and leadership. |
Rollback: |
Reagan’s foreign policy strategy, aimed at pushing back communism and Soviet influence globally, as opposed to the previous policy of containment. Supporters argue that it led to the end of the Cold War, while critics see it as contributing to violent conflicts and U.S. imperialism. |
Root: |
The highest level of administrative access on a Unix/Linux system, also used to refer to someone with complete control over the system. |
ROTFL (Rolling On The Floor Laughing): |
An internet acronym to indicate extreme laughter, predating "LOL." |
RTFM (Read The F*ing Manual)**: |
A response in tech forums, urging people to check the documentation before asking questions. |
Ruby Ridge: |
A standoff between a family and U.S. federal agents in 1992, often cited by far-right groups as an example of government tyranny and the need for armed resistance. |
Rule of Law: |
The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. |
Rules-Based International Order: |
A term used to describe the international system governed by laws, treaties, and agreements, where Western institutions are seen as upholding global norms and values. |
Rules-Based World Order: |
The idea that international norms and laws govern relations between states, helping prevent conflict and promote peace, often linked to Western leadership. |
Russian Aggression: |
A term used to describe Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, including the annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Eastern Ukraine. |
Russian Asset: |
A term used by some of her detractors, including Hillary Clinton, suggesting that Gabbard is sympathetic to or supported by Russia due to her non-interventionist foreign policy. |
Russian Imperialism: |
A term used by critics to describe Russia’s historical and modern expansionist policies, including its annexation of Crimea and influence over former Soviet states. |
Russo-phobia: |
A term used by Russian officials and pro-Russian voices to describe the West’s antagonism toward Russia, framing it as irrational and rooted in historical biases. |
Russophobia: |
A term used by Russian nationalists and pro-Russian voices to accuse critics of harboring irrational hatred or fear of Russia and its people. |
Rust Belt Revivalist: |
Vance is seen as a champion of the Rust Belt, advocating for policies that bring jobs back to economically devastated communities and challenge globalist economic policies. |
Sabotage: |
The act of deliberately destroying or disrupting an enemy’s resources, infrastructure, or operations as part of warfare or covert actions. |
Sacred Feminine Energy: |
A modern spiritual term that emphasizes embracing intuitive, nurturing, and creative qualities, often linked to goddess worship or balancing masculine and feminine energies. |
Sacred Geometry: |
The belief that specific shapes and patterns (like the Flower of Life or Metatron’s Cube) hold deep spiritual significance and can influence energy or consciousness. |
Sacred Medicine: |
Refers to plant-based substances like ayahuasca, peyote, or cannabis, considered sacred by indigenous cultures and used for spiritual growth or healing. |
Sacred Space: |
A physical or spiritual area that is considered holy or charged with positive energy, often used for meditation, rituals, or healing. |
Sacred Texts: |
Refers to the holy writings of a religion, such as the Bible, Torah, Quran, etc., which are viewed as the ultimate authority for believers. |
Safe House: |
A secret place used by spies or covert operatives to hide, meet, or conduct operations without detection. |
Safe Spaces: |
Spaces where individuals from marginalized identities can express themselves without fear of discrimination, harassment, or judgment. Identity politics supports creating these spaces in educational, work, and social settings. |
Safe, Legal, and Rare: |
A phrase used by some pro-choice advocates to suggest that while abortion should remain accessible, efforts should also be made to reduce unwanted pregnancies through education and contraception. |
Salami Tactics: |
A strategy of achieving a goal incrementally, through a series of small actions that are individually insignificant but collectively significant (often used in territorial disputes or political power grabs). |
Sanctions: |
Economic measures imposed by countries like the U.S. to pressure Iran over its nuclear program, human rights record, or support for militant groups. Viewed as necessary by critics and as unjust by Iran and its supporters. |
Sanctity of Life: |
A principle that asserts that all human life is sacred and must be protected, often invoked by those opposing abortion. |
Satanic Panic: |
A term referring to the moral panic in the 1980s and 1990s that claimed Satanic cults were widespread and engaging in ritual abuse, often criticized as a baseless conspiracy theory. |
Satanic Ritual Abuse: |
A term from the Satanic Panic era, used to describe alleged abuse by Satanic cults, though largely debunked, it remains a lingering concern for some religious groups. |
Satanic Temple: |
A nontheistic religious organization that uses Satanic imagery and symbolism to promote secularism, individualism, and social justice, particularly in opposition to Christian hegemony. |
Savage: |
A term that initially meant someone is ruthlessly unapologetic, now it often has a condescending undertone when used to describe someone who is unnecessarily harsh or over-the-top in their behavior. |
Say Their Names: |
A rallying cry used to remember and bring attention to the individuals who have been victims of police violence and systemic racism, often accompanied by lists of names of those killed. |
Scalar Energy: |
A supposed form of healing energy that operates outside the normal electromagnetic spectrum. This concept is heavily marketed in alternative health products but lacks scientific support. |
Scalar Weapon: |
A term used in conspiracy theories to describe futuristic weapons supposedly capable of manipulating natural systems like weather, often linked to HAARP or secret government programs. |
Scammer: |
A term used by critics who claim that Tate’s online courses and advice are exploitative, offering little real value to those who purchase them. |
School-to-Prison Pipeline: |
A concept describing how disciplinary practices in schools, such as suspensions and expulsions, disproportionately affect students of color, pushing them into the criminal justice system. |
Science as Dogma: |
The critique that science can be treated like a rigid belief system, where questioning or challenging certain scientific principles is seen as heretical or anti-intellectual. |
Science as Dogmatic Creed: |
The view that science is treated like a creed or set of religious beliefs, where questioning or dissenting from scientific consensus is treated as heretical or irrational. |
Science as New Priesthood: |
A criticism that scientists and technologists are treated as the new "priests" of modern society, whose authority and knowledge are beyond question by the general public. |
Science as the New Religion: |
A criticism that science, in some circles, has taken the place of religion, with adherents treating it as a source of absolute truth, moral guidance, and meaning in life. |
Science Fetishism: |
The reverence or uncritical worship of science, treating it as the ultimate authority on all matters of truth, without recognizing its limitations or its potential misuse. |
Science Worship: |
The idea that science is elevated to a position of unchallenged authority or reverence, often at the expense of other disciplines like the humanities, arts, and ethics. |
Science-Based Dogmatism: |
A rigid adherence to "science-based" solutions in all areas, even in contexts where science might not offer complete or clear answers, dismissing other perspectives as unscientific or invalid. |
Scientific Absolutism: |
The belief that scientific knowledge is infallible and can provide definitive answers to all questions, often criticized for ignoring the limits of science and the complexity of human experience. |
Scientific and Technological Leader: |
The dominance of Western countries, particularly in fields like technology, healthcare, and innovation, is seen as advancing human progress globally. |
Scientific Authority: |
The tendency to defer to scientists or scientific institutions as the ultimate authority in all areas of life, sometimes to the exclusion of other perspectives or disciplines. |
Scientific Dogma: |
The accusation that science, or its adherents, treat scientific knowledge as infallible and unquestionable, much like religious dogma, rather than as a method of inquiry that is open to revision. |
Scientific Imperialism: |
A critique of how science is used to dominate or suppress other forms of knowledge or cultural practices, often marginalizing Indigenous knowledge, local traditions, or non-Western ways of knowing. |
Scientific Inquisition: |
A pejorative term suggesting that proponents of science, especially in fields like climate change or health, act like religious zealots, silencing dissent or heretical views through social or institutional pressure. |
Scientific Materialism: |
The belief that physical matter and forces are the only reality, dismissing anything spiritual, metaphysical, or subjective. Critics argue that this philosophy leads to a reductionist view of life and human experience. |
Scientific Nihilism: |
A critique of certain extreme forms of scientism where everything outside of empirical science is dismissed as meaningless, leading to a sense of moral and philosophical emptiness. |
Scientific Omniscience: |
The belief that science has the potential to know everything and provide definitive answers to all questions, often criticized for being overly optimistic or dismissive of other forms of knowledge. |
Scientific Purism: |
The rigid belief that only scientific methods can lead to true knowledge, rejecting interdisciplinary approaches that include philosophy, ethics, or the arts. |
Scientific Reductionism as Creed: |
The belief that all phenomena can be reduced to their simplest scientific components, often at the expense of understanding the holistic or emergent properties of complex systems. |
Scientific Reductionism: |
The belief that complex phenomena can be fully understood by breaking them down into simpler components, often criticized for ignoring the holistic or emergent properties of systems. |
Scientific Woo: |
A slang term for pseudoscientific ideas, particularly those that sound scientific but lack any actual basis in empirical science. Often used to refer to things like energy healing or crystal therapy. |
Scientism as Creed: |
A critique that scientism functions as a modern creed or set of religious beliefs, with its own dogmas, high priests (scientists), and unquestionable truths. |
Scientism: |
The belief that science and scientific methods are the only valid means of acquiring knowledge, often to the exclusion of other forms of understanding. Critics argue that scientism turns science into an ideology or dogma. |
Scientistic Chauvinism: |
The belief that science is the only valid way of understanding the world, often leading to the dismissal of other disciplines like the arts, ethics, or religion as irrelevant or inferior. |
Scientistic Dogma: |
Refers to the elevation of science to the level of dogma, where scientific principles are treated as infallible truths, akin to religious doctrines. |
Scientistic Fundamentalism: |
An extreme form of scientism where scientific principles and methods are considered the only legitimate means of understanding reality, to the exclusion of all other methods. |
Scientistic Hubris: |
A critique of the overconfidence in science’s ability to explain everything, often leading to dismissive attitudes toward non-scientific forms of knowledge, such as philosophy, spirituality, or ethics. |
Scientistic Intolerance: |
A critique of the dogmatic nature of scientism, where scientific authority is treated as unquestionable, and dissenting views, especially from the humanities or ethics, are marginalized or ridiculed. |
Scientistic Messiah Complex: |
When individuals or groups believe that scientific progress or discoveries will solve all of humanity’s problems, often ignoring moral, ethical, or humanistic concerns in the process. |
Scientistic Moralism: |
The belief that science alone can dictate morality or ethics, often reducing complex moral issues to scientific facts or ignoring the cultural, emotional, or philosophical dimensions of morality. |
Scientistic Reductionism: |
The criticism that science, particularly in its most dogmatic forms, reduces complex social, psychological, or existential phenomena into narrow, often materialist frameworks. |
Scientistic Secularism: |
The belief that science should replace religion or spirituality as the primary source of moral and existential guidance, often criticized for oversimplifying the human need for meaning and transcendence. |
Scientocracy: |
A system of governance where scientific experts hold authority and make policy decisions. Critics argue this can result in technocratic elitism and the marginalization of democratic participation. |
Second Amendment: |
Refers to the constitutional right to keep and bear arms in the United States, a central argument for gun rights advocates. |
Secular Humanism: |
A philosophy that emphasizes human reason, ethics, and justice while rejecting religious dogma and the supernatural, often associated with atheism. |
Secular Indoctrination: |
A critique from religious groups that suggests atheism is promoted in education and culture in a way that undermines religious belief, particularly in public schools. |
Secularism: |
The belief in separating religion from governmental or public institutions, advocating for a neutral state in matters of faith to ensure freedom of and from religion. |
Security Guarantees: |
A phrase used by those who believe the West should have provided Russia with security assurances (such as no NATO expansion) to prevent the invasion of Ukraine. |
Segregation: |
The enforced separation of racial or ethnic groups in daily life, such as in schools, housing, or public spaces, historically used to marginalize non-white populations. |
Segregationist: |
An individual or political stance that supports the legal or social separation of races, historically prominent in the Jim Crow South but still present in modern forms of racial exclusion. |
Seize the Means of Production: |
A slogan advocating for the working class to take control of factories, land, and resources, removing them from the capitalist class and redistributing them for collective ownership. |
Self-Care: |
Refers to activities meant to promote personal well-being. When used condescendingly, it can imply someone is being overly indulgent or superficial in addressing deeper issues. |
Self-Defense: |
A term used by Israel and its supporters to justify the retaliatory strikes and military action in Gaza following the October 7th attack, positioning it as a necessary response to Hamas aggression. |
Self-Deification: |
A Satanic concept where individuals seek to elevate themselves to god-like status by exercising personal autonomy and rejecting imposed religious norms. |
Self-Determination: |
The principle that nations have the right to govern themselves, free from imperial or colonial control, often used as a justification for anti-imperialist movements. |
Self-Driving Cities: |
Cities designed with autonomous vehicles at their core, where transportation systems are fully automated, reducing traffic, pollution, and the need for human drivers. |
Self-Gaslighting: |
A relatively new term referring to when a person manipulates themselves into doubting their own feelings or perceptions. It’s sometimes used condescendingly to suggest someone is overly self-critical or unaware of their own thoughts. |
Self-Healing Materials: |
Advanced materials that can repair themselves after damage, with potential applications in construction, manufacturing, and medicine. |
Self-Improvement: |
A key focus within the manosphere, where men are encouraged to improve their health, finances, and personal skills to become more successful in life and relationships. |
Self-Promoter: |
Critics argue that Brand’s activism is more about boosting his personal brand than effecting real political or social change. |
Self-Repairing Infrastructure: |
Future urban infrastructure that can autonomously detect and repair damage, using advanced materials and robotics, ensuring the longevity and resilience of critical systems like roads, bridges, and pipelines. |
Self-Replicating Machines: |
Machines or robots capable of reproducing themselves autonomously, potentially allowing for rapid expansion and exploration in space or new environments. |
Self-Sabotage: |
Refers to behavior that undermines one's own goals or well-being. In pop psychology, it’s often used to suggest that someone is unconsciously responsible for their own problems. |
Self-Sustaining Habitats: |
Artificial ecosystems or closed-loop systems that allow humans to live independently of external resources, critical for future space colonization or extreme environments on Earth. |
Selfie: |
A photo that a person takes of themselves, typically using a smartphone camera, and shares on social media. |
Semantic Quibbling: |
Using minor disagreements over word definitions or phrasing to avoid engaging with the substance of an argument. |
Senescence: |
The process by which cells lose their ability to divide and function properly, often associated with aging and targeted by anti-aging research. |
Sentient Cities: |
A concept where urban environments are embedded with AI and smart technologies, enabling cities to respond dynamically to residents' needs, environmental changes, and infrastructure requirements. |
Sentient Robots: |
Robots that possess self-awareness, emotions, or advanced cognitive abilities, raising ethical questions about their rights and the nature of consciousness in non-human entities. |
Separation of Church and State: |
A principle advocating for the division between religious institutions and government to prevent religious influence over public policy and law. |
Separatists: |
Groups that seek to break away from a larger political entity to form an independent state. Depending on the perspective, they can be seen as freedom fighters or as threats to national integrity. |
Sesquipedalian: |
The use of long, obscure, or complex words where simpler language would suffice. Often used pejoratively to describe people who try to sound more intellectual than they are. |
Settler Colonialism: |
A form of colonialism in which the colonizers come to stay and establish permanent control over Indigenous lands, displacing native populations and erasing their cultures. |
Sexism: |
A broad critique of the manosphere, accusing it of fostering sexist attitudes and beliefs about women, particularly in its promotion of male dominance and control. |
Sexual Deviancy: |
A derogatory term used to describe LGBTQ+ identities or behaviors as immoral or unnatural. |
Sexual Harassment: |
Unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances or conduct, often cited by feminists as a pervasive issue in workplaces and other public spaces. |
Shadow Banning: |
A practice where a user’s content is made less visible or harder to find without their knowledge. It’s a form of subtle censorship that’s often criticized for lack of transparency. |
Shadow Government: |
A conspiracy theory term describing a secretive, often unelected group of powerful elites believed to control or manipulate government policy behind the scenes. |
Shadow Work: |
A term from Jungian psychology referring to confronting and integrating the darker, unconscious parts of oneself. In pop psychology, it can be used to sound self-important or suggest others aren’t as self-aware. |
Shadowban: |
A form of restriction where a user’s posts are hidden or de-prioritized in feeds without their knowledge, limiting their visibility. |
Shadowbanning: |
A practice where someone’s social media activity is made less visible without their knowledge, typically as a response to inappropriate behavior. It’s often used dismissively to accuse platforms of silencing dissenting opinions. |
Shall Not Be Infringed: |
A phrase from the Second Amendment often used by gun rights advocates to argue that any form of gun control is unconstitutional. |
Sharpshooter Fallacy: |
Cherry-picking data to fit a particular conclusion, ignoring data that contradicts the desired outcome. Example: "Look at this specific data point that supports my argument, and let’s ignore everything else." |
Sheeple: |
A derogatory term used by conspiracy theorists and anti-government groups to describe people who are perceived as blindly following government directives or media narratives without questioning authority. |
Shell: |
A command-line interface for interacting with the operating system, commonly used in Unix/Linux systems. |
Shitpost: |
A deliberately low-quality or nonsensical post intended to amuse or annoy others, commonly used in online forums and social media. |
Shitposting: |
Intentionally low-quality, irrelevant, or absurd posts made online to provoke reactions or for humor. |
Shock and Awe: |
A military strategy used in the early days of the Iraq invasion, involving overwhelming force and rapid dominance. The term has since been used to describe the U.S. military’s aggressive approach. |
Shock Doctrine: |
A critique of neoliberal economic policies, arguing that crises (e.g., natural disasters, war) are exploited to implement unpopular economic reforms that benefit the elite. |
Sig (Signature): |
A personalized message or set of information automatically appended to the end of a user’s posts in forums, emails, or USENET posts. |
Silencing: |
The deliberate act of preventing a person, group, or viewpoint from being expressed in public discourse. |
Silent Majority Advocate: |
A term associated with Nixon’s appeal to the "silent majority" of Americans who felt alienated by the counterculture and social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. |
Silent Scream: |
A term popularized by anti-abortion advocates referring to the idea that unborn fetuses experience pain or distress during abortion, often used in emotional appeals against abortion. |
Simplistic Solutions: |
Critics on both sides argue that populist movements offer oversimplified solutions to complex issues, lacking practical or sustainable policies. |
Simplistic: |
Dismissing an opponent’s argument as lacking depth or nuance, often in a way that implies their understanding of the topic is inferior. |
Simulacrum: |
A concept introduced by Jean Baudrillard, referring to a copy or imitation of something that no longer has an original, used to critique how postmodern society blurs the lines between reality and representation. |
Singularity Economy: |
A theoretical future economic model where AI, automation, and exponential technologies have made traditional labor obsolete, requiring a rethinking of economic systems, such as universal basic income (UBI). |
Singularity: |
A hypothetical future point where technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unfathomable changes to human civilization, often linked to advances in AI or bioengineering. |
SJW (Social Justice Warrior): |
A pejorative term used to describe someone who is seen as overly concerned with promoting progressive or left-wing causes, particularly when perceived as performative or extreme. |
Skepticism: |
The practice of questioning the validity of beliefs, particularly religious or supernatural claims, unless they are supported by empirical evidence. |
Skilled Debater: |
Harris’s sharp questioning style and debating skills are often cited as strengths, particularly in her role on the Senate Judiciary Committee. |
Slashdot Effect: |
The phenomenon where a website experiences a massive surge in traffic after being linked from Slashdot, a tech news aggregation site, often causing server overloads. |
Slashdot: |
A news aggregation website focused on technology, where articles and comments from the community could receive high visibility, leading to the "Slashdot effect" (a website being overwhelmed by traffic). |
Slay: |
To do something exceptionally well or with confidence, often used to compliment someone on their appearance or achievements. |
Sleeper Agent: |
A spy who remains inactive for a long period, blending into society until activated for a mission. |
Sleepy Joe: |
A derogatory nickname popularized by former President Trump and Biden’s critics, implying that Biden is old, slow, or mentally unfit for office. |
Slick Willy: |
A derogatory nickname for Bill Clinton, often used by critics who view him as untrustworthy, manipulative, and able to escape scandalous situations. |
Slippery Slope: |
Arguing that a small first step will lead to a chain of related events culminating in a significant (usually negative) effect. Example: "If we allow same-sex marriage, next thing you know, people will be marrying animals." |
Smart Cities: |
Urban areas that use IoT devices, data analytics, and AI to improve the quality of life, reduce environmental impact, and increase operational efficiency for city infrastructure and services. |
Smart Contracts: |
Self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code, typically deployed on blockchain networks like Ethereum. They automatically enforce and verify contract terms, reducing the need for intermediaries. |
Smart Grid: |
An electricity network that uses digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage, often part of a broader push toward energy efficiency and renewable energy integration. |
Smash the State: |
A slogan calling for the dismantling of state power and institutions, often associated with anarchists and anti-capitalists. |
Smoking Gun: |
A phrase used by critics of the Bidens who claim that Hunter’s laptop contains evidence of illegal or unethical activity involving both Hunter and his father. |
Snowflake: |
A derogatory term for someone who is perceived as overly sensitive, easily offended, or entitled, often used in political contexts to criticize progressive views. |
Social Conditioning: |
The process of training individuals or society to behave in a certain way or adopt certain beliefs, often without their explicit awareness. |
Social Construct: |
Proponents use this term to argue that categories like race and gender are socially constructed rather than biologically determined, and that identity politics seeks to challenge these constructions. Critics may argue that emphasizing social constructs undermines the importance of shared human experiences or universal values. |
Social Constructivism: |
The idea that many aspects of reality, including race, gender, and identity, are not natural but are constructed through social interactions and power relations. |
Social Contagion: |
A term used by critics to suggest that the increase in transgender-identifying individuals is due to social pressure or trends, particularly among young people. |
Social Contract: |
The implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, such as sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection. |
Social Credit System: |
A government surveillance and rating system, notably used in China, that tracks citizens' behaviors and assigns scores based on their actions, which can affect access to jobs, loans, and travel. |
Social Darwinism: |
A discredited theory that applies the concept of "survival of the fittest" to justify social and racial hierarchies, suggesting that certain races or ethnicities are naturally superior to others. |
Social Engineering: |
The manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging information, often used in hacking but also applied to broader societal manipulation. |
Social Justice Warrior (SJW): |
A term often used derogatorily to describe individuals who are seen as overly zealous or performative in advocating for social justice causes, especially online. |
Social Justice Warrior: |
Supporters use this term positively to describe AOC’s commitment to fighting for marginalized groups, including racial, gender, and economic justice. |
Social Justice Warriors: |
A positive term for populist left supporters who focus on issues like racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ equality, framing these as central to a fair and just society. |
Social Justice: |
The pursuit of fairness and equality within society, particularly for marginalized groups. Social justice activism often relies on identity politics to address systemic inequality. |
Social Media Celebrities: |
Detractors often accuse the Squad of using social media to build their personal brands rather than focusing on the hard work of legislating. |
Social Media Star: |
AOC is admired for her effective use of social media to communicate directly with her constituents and the public, making politics more accessible. |
Social Safety Net: |
Refers to government programs designed to protect individuals from economic hardship (e.g., welfare, unemployment benefits), praised by progressives and criticized by fiscal conservatives as creating dependency. |
Socialist Dystopia: |
A phrase used to describe the feared outcomes of communist or socialist policies, where personal freedoms are eradicated, and state control leads to poverty and oppression. |
Socialist Utopia: |
Used sarcastically by critics to refer to the idealized version of socialism or communism, implying that these systems are unrealistic or inherently flawed. |
Socialist: |
Often used as a pejorative, critics label the populist left as socialist or communist, arguing that their policies would lead to economic inefficiency and government overreach. |
Societal Decadence: |
A conservative critique that modern society has become overly indulgent, morally corrupt, or lazy, often used to argue for a return to traditional values. |
Socioeconomic Status (SES): |
A term that combines income, education, and occupation as a measure of a person's economic and social position in society, often discussed in relation to inequality. |
Sockpuppet Account: |
A fake online identity created to deceive others, often used by the same person to support their own arguments or mislead discussions in forums and social media. |
Soft Launch: |
Used in social media contexts, this refers to subtly hinting at a new relationship or project without fully revealing it. It’s often used humorously but can also be condescending to suggest someone is overly calculated or attention-seeking. |
Soft on Crime: |
Some opponents argue that Walz’s push for police reform has gone too far, accusing him of being soft on crime and not supporting law enforcement enough. |
Soft Power: |
The ability to influence others through cultural appeal, values, and diplomacy rather than coercion or military force. |
Solar Geoengineering: |
A controversial set of technologies aimed at reflecting sunlight back into space to reduce global temperatures and mitigate climate change, raising ethical and environmental concerns. |
Solar Panel Symbolism: |
Some view Carter’s focus on renewable energy and environmentalism as well-meaning but impractical during his time, with detractors mocking the removal of solar panels by Reagan as symbolic of Carter’s overreach. |
Solarpunk: |
A futuristic vision of a world where society relies heavily on renewable energy sources like solar power, with an emphasis on sustainability, green technology, and harmony with nature. |
Solidarity: |
A key principle in communist thought, emphasizing the unity and mutual support of the working class against capitalist exploitation and oppression. |
Sophist: |
Refers to someone who uses clever but deceptive reasoning. Accusing someone of being a sophist implies that they are using intellectual arguments to obscure or confuse, rather than to reveal truth. |
Sophistry: |
The use of fallacious but superficially plausible arguments, often with the intent of deceiving or manipulating others. Pseudo-intellectuals are frequently accused of employing sophistry. |
Soul Contract: |
The idea that individuals enter into pre-birth agreements about the lessons and experiences they will have in this lifetime, often with other souls or guides. |
Soul Retrieval: |
A shamanic practice that involves retrieving fragments of a person's soul that have been lost or disconnected due to trauma or negative experiences. |
Soul Tribe: |
A group of people who are believed to be spiritually connected, often having shared past lives or soul contracts, and who come together for mutual support and growth. |
Sound Bath: |
A meditation or relaxation practice involving sound vibrations, often from singing bowls or gongs, believed to harmonize the body’s energy and promote healing. |
Sound Healing: |
The use of sound frequencies (such as gongs, tuning forks, or singing bowls) to heal or balance the body's energy, based on the idea that certain vibrations can bring about emotional or physical healing. |
Southern Strategy: |
A term used to describe Nixon’s political strategy of appealing to racist elements in the South by opposing civil rights measures, which is criticized for fueling racial division. |
Souverainism: |
A nationalist ideology that advocates for the sovereignty and independence of nations, opposing supranational organizations like the European Union. |
Sovereign Citizen: |
A belief held by some anti-government groups that individuals are not subject to government laws and that the government operates illegitimately; often associated with refusing to pay taxes or recognize government authority. |
Sovereign Citizenship: |
A far-right, white supremacist belief that asserts white people have the inherent right to reject government authority and laws, often leading to anti-government rhetoric. |
Sovereignty Eroder: |
The UN is often accused of undermining national sovereignty by imposing international laws and regulations that critics argue conflict with the domestic policies of member states. |
Sovereignty Erosion: |
Critics argue that Western hegemony and global institutions infringe upon the sovereignty of nations, particularly developing countries, by forcing them to adopt foreign policies. |
Space Colonization: |
The theoretical future expansion of humanity beyond Earth, often focused on establishing human settlements on planets like Mars, the Moon, or in space habitats. |
Space Elevator: |
A proposed transportation system that involves a cable anchored to the Earth and extending into space, enabling vehicles to travel up and down the cable, offering a cheaper and more efficient way to access space. |
Space Mining: |
The future exploitation of resources from asteroids, moons, and other celestial bodies, potentially providing vast quantities of metals, minerals, and water to support human expansion in space. |
Spawn Camp: |
A tactic where players wait near the point where enemies respawn to attack them as soon as they re-enter the game. |
Special Interest Group: |
A term used to criticize identity-based political groups or movements, suggesting that they are narrowly focused on their own identity-based interests rather than the common good. |
Special Pleading: |
Applying standards, principles, or rules to others while exempting oneself or one’s argument from those same standards without adequate justification. Example: "All companies should follow these regulations, except mine because we’re unique." |
Special Rights: |
A phrase used by opponents to argue that LGBTQ+ advocacy seeks privileges rather than equality, often in the context of employment or housing protections. |
Speech Codes: |
Regulations that dictate what can or cannot be said, especially on college campuses or in public forums, sometimes viewed as a form of censorship aimed at preventing offensive or harmful language. |
Sphere of Influence: |
A region in which a powerful nation exerts control or dominance, often justifying imperial expansion or intervention in the name of national interest. |
Spheres of Influence: |
Areas or regions over which a country or organization has significant cultural, economic, or military influence. |
Spin: |
The deliberate presentation of information in a biased or favorable way to influence public perception, often used in political communication. |
Spirit Animal: |
A spiritual being that guides or protects a person, often thought to reflect their personal traits or serve as a symbol of certain life lessons. |
Spirit Detox: |
A modern term that blends ideas of detoxification with spiritual purification, where individuals engage in cleansing rituals to rid themselves of "negative energy" or spiritual toxins. |
Spirit Guides: |
Entities or spirits believed to provide guidance and wisdom to individuals, often invoked in spiritualist practices like séances or meditation. |
Spiritual Activist: |
Brand’s combination of political activism with spirituality is seen as a holistic approach to addressing personal and societal issues. |
Spiritual Ascension Symptoms: |
Physical or emotional symptoms believed to occur during the process of spiritual awakening or raising one’s vibrational frequency, including fatigue, headaches, and emotional sensitivity. |
Spiritual Bypassing: |
The use of spiritual or religious beliefs to avoid dealing with uncomfortable emotions or unresolved psychological issues. It’s often used to criticize people who preach positivity or mindfulness while ignoring real problems. |
Spiritual Download: |
Receiving profound spiritual or esoteric information from the universe or higher beings, often during meditation or in altered states of consciousness. |
Spiritual Seeker: |
Brand is praised for his exploration of spirituality, mindfulness, and personal growth, particularly in his discussions about overcoming addiction and finding inner peace. |
Spiritual Void: |
The belief that atheism creates a sense of emptiness or lack of purpose in life, often cited by religious individuals as a critique of atheism’s rejection of the divine. |
Spiritual Warfare: |
The belief in a cosmic battle between good and evil, often invoked by Christians who see Satanism as a literal manifestation of evil in the world. |
Split Training: |
A workout routine that splits different muscle groups into separate days (e.g., leg day, chest day) to focus on specific body parts. |
Spotlight Fallacy: |
Assuming that the media’s coverage of a certain group or issue represents the reality of that entire group or issue. |
SS Bolts: |
A symbol used by neo-Nazis, referencing the Schutzstaffel (SS), a paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler that was responsible for many of the atrocities during the Holocaust. |
Stan Culture: |
The intense and often obsessive fanbase surrounding a celebrity or public figure, known for their extreme dedication and online presence. |
Stan: |
A combination of "stalker" and "fan," it refers to someone who is an obsessive fan of a celebrity, often used as both a noun ("I'm a Beyoncé stan") and a verb ("I stan her so much"). |
Stand Your Ground: |
Laws that allow individuals to use force to defend themselves without retreating, often cited in support of the right to carry firearms for self-defense. |
Standing: |
The legal right to bring a lawsuit, often discussed in political discourse around who has the authority to challenge government actions. |
Star Wars (Strategic Defense Initiative, SDI): |
A term used to describe Reagan’s proposed missile defense system to protect the U.S. from nuclear attacks. Supporters hailed it as innovative, while critics argued it was impractical, expensive, and destabilizing. |
Star Wars: |
A popular name for Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a missile defense system intended to protect the U.S. from nuclear attack. Supporters hailed it as visionary, while critics derided it as impractical and a catalyst for escalating the arms race. |
Starseed: |
A term used for people who believe their souls originated from other planets or dimensions, sent to Earth to help raise its vibrational frequency. |
Stasi: |
Refers to the infamous East German secret police, used in modern contexts to critique excessive state surveillance and control mechanisms. |
Statism: |
A derogatory term used by libertarians and right-wing groups to describe excessive government control or intervention in citizens’ lives. |
Stop the Steal: |
A slogan popularized by Trump supporters in the lead-up to and during January 6th, referring to the baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen through widespread fraud. |
Stormfront: |
A prominent white supremacist online forum where far-right and white nationalist groups organize and share their views. |
Strategic Adventurism: |
A policy of engaging in bold or risky foreign actions to gain political or military advantage, often associated with interventionist or expansionist goals. |
Strategic Autonomy: |
Refers to the ability of a country or region to pursue its own security and foreign policy interests without dependence on other powers, often discussed in relation to European defense. |
Strategic Colonialism: |
The idea that controlling colonies provides military and economic advantages, often used to justify imperialism in terms of national security and power projection. |
Strategic Communication: |
A term used by governments or organizations to describe deliberate efforts to shape public perceptions and influence behavior through targeted messaging. |
Strategic Genius: |
Nixon is sometimes lauded for his strategic mind and ability to navigate complex political and international challenges. |
Strategic Miscalculation: |
The failure to properly assess the risks and consequences of bold foreign actions, leading to unintended conflict or failure. |
Straw Man Argument: |
Misrepresenting or oversimplifying an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack. Example: "You want to reduce the military budget? So you just want to leave us defenseless?" |
Straw Man Fallacy: |
Creating a distorted or exaggerated version of someone’s argument in order to refute it more easily. Example: "You’re saying we should ignore national security just because you don’t like war?" |
Straw Man: |
Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack. |
Streamer: |
A person who broadcasts live video content, especially gaming, on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. |
Street Action: |
Protest and demonstrations that take place in public spaces, often involving confrontations with law enforcement or symbolic acts of resistance. |
Strong National Defense: |
Neoconservatives are praised for their belief in maintaining a powerful military to defend national interests and protect global stability. |
Strongman Leader: |
A term often used by supporters to describe Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing his toughness, control, and ability to maintain Russia’s global influence. |
Structural Inequality: |
Inequalities that are built into the structure of society, affecting access to resources, opportunities, and justice, often along racial and socioeconomic lines. |
Structuralism: |
An intellectual movement that emphasizes the structures underlying cultural phenomena. Used to make someone's argument seem overly simplistic or ignorant of underlying societal forces. |
Subaltern: |
A term from postcolonial theory referring to populations outside the hegemonic power structure, often those who are marginalized or oppressed. Used to critique someone for ignoring the voices of the oppressed. |
Subjectivity: |
Emphasizes the importance of individual perspectives and experiences, rejecting the notion of an objective, shared reality that applies to all people equally. |
Subreddit: |
A specific community or topic within Reddit, with its own content, rules, and moderation. |
Subterranean Cities: |
Future cities built underground, designed to protect populations from climate change, natural disasters, or other environmental challenges, often envisioned with advanced sustainable infrastructure. |
Subtweet: |
A tweet that indirectly references or criticizes someone without mentioning their name, often used to talk about someone without confronting them directly. |
Subversion: |
A key concept in postmodern art, literature, and theory, emphasizing the importance of undermining traditional authority, social norms, and grand narratives. |
Sudo: |
A command in Unix/Linux that allows a permitted user to execute commands as the superuser (root), often used to perform administrative tasks. |
Summit Diplomacy: |
High-level diplomatic meetings between heads of state or government to negotiate and resolve key issues. |
Sunk Cost Fallacy: |
Continuing a course of action because of previously invested resources (time, money, effort), rather than making decisions based on future outcomes. Example: "We’ve already spent so much on this project; we can’t quit now." |
Super Predator: |
A racially charged term used in the 1990s to describe violent youth, particularly Black and Latino males. It was part of the rhetoric used to justify harsh criminal justice policies that disproportionately targeted communities of color. |
Superset: |
Performing two exercises back-to-back with no rest in between, often targeting opposing muscle groups. |
Supply and Demand: |
The fundamental concept in capitalist economics where prices and production are determined by consumer demand and availability of goods, seen as a self-regulating mechanism. |
Supply-Side Economics: |
A term used to describe the economic theory behind Reaganomics, which focuses on boosting economic growth by cutting taxes and reducing regulation. Supporters believe it created prosperity, while critics say it disproportionately benefited the rich. |
Suppression of Speech: |
The intentional stifling or censoring of voices, opinions, or information, often framed as a form of censorship or oppression by those affected. |
Suppression: |
The act of preventing certain information from reaching the public, often to maintain control over public opinion or political discourse. |
Supreme Leader: |
The title used for the leader of North Korea (currently Kim Jong-un), symbolizing the totalitarian nature of the regime. |
Surplus Value: |
A Marxist concept referring to the difference between the value produced by labor and the wages paid to the worker, which capitalists profit from. |
Surveillance Capitalism and Race: |
The critique of how technology companies collect and sell data, often disproportionately affecting communities of color, and how this data can be used for racial profiling or reinforcing racial inequalities. |
Surveillance Capitalism: |
A critique of the tech industry, where companies collect vast amounts of data on users to manipulate behavior and sell advertising, raising concerns about privacy and manipulation. |
Surveillance Racism: |
The disproportionate targeting and monitoring of racial and ethnic minorities by surveillance technologies, including facial recognition software, policing algorithms, and data collection practices. |
Surveillance State: |
A government that uses extensive surveillance, both physical and digital, to monitor and control its citizens, often justified as a measure for national security but viewed as a form of oppression. |
Sustainability Advocate: |
The WEF is often admired for its focus on sustainability, particularly through initiatives that promote green technology, environmental conservation, and responsible corporate practices. |
Sustainability: |
The principle of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, central to addressing climate change through environmental conservation and renewable resources. |
Sustainable Development Leader: |
Proponents argue that Western-led institutions, including those involved in the Davos agenda, are key leaders in pushing for sustainable development goals and environmental stewardship. |
Syllogistic Fallacy: |
Drawing a conclusion based on flawed logic in the structure of a syllogism. Example: "All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is Greek." |
Synchronicity: |
Coincidences that are perceived to have deep meaning or spiritual significance, often interpreted as messages from the universe. |
Synthetic Biology: |
An interdisciplinary field that involves designing and engineering new biological parts, devices, or systems, or redesigning existing natural biological systems for useful purposes. |
Synthetic Consciousness: |
The creation of artificial entities with human-like consciousness, raising philosophical, ethical, and practical questions about the future of mind and intelligence. |
Synthetic Life: |
The creation of life forms from artificial or modified biological materials, with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental management. |
Synthetic Organisms: |
The creation of entirely new life forms through synthetic biology, often aimed at solving environmental challenges, producing biofuels, or creating sustainable food sources. |
Sysop (System Operator): |
The person who manages and moderates a BBS or online community, responsible for maintaining order and technical issues. |
Sysop: |
Short for "system operator," a person responsible for maintaining and moderating a BBS or online community. |
Systemic Inequity: |
The structural, institutionalized disparities that produce unequal outcomes for different racial or ethnic groups, often entrenched in economic, legal, and social systems. |
Systemic Oppression: |
The idea that oppression is built into societal institutions and structures, affecting marginalized groups. Identity politics aims to highlight and dismantle these systems. |
Systemic Racism: |
The idea that racism is embedded in the laws, institutions, and systems of society, not just individual actions. |
Tabata: |
A specific form of HIIT involving 20 seconds of ultra-intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for four minutes. |
Taiwan Independence: |
A phrase used by supporters of Taiwan’s sovereignty. It is seen as highly controversial in China, where the government views Taiwan as a breakaway province. |
Takedown Request: |
A demand, typically by a government or a corporation, to remove specific content from an online platform or publication, often viewed as censorship if misused. |
Tax-and-Spend Democrat: |
Walz’s critics argue that his policies will lead to higher taxes and increased government spending, which they believe harms economic growth. |
Tax-and-Spend Liberal: |
A criticism that populist left policies, such as expanding welfare programs and increasing taxes on the wealthy, would lead to unsustainable government spending. |
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): |
The foundational communication protocols for the internet, enabling networking and data transmission between computers globally. |
Tech Advancement Forum: |
Davos is often praised as a platform for discussing the future of technology and innovation, particularly in areas like AI, digital transformation, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. |
Tech Oligarch: |
A term used by critics of Gates, accusing him of using his wealth and influence to exert undue power over global health policies, often implying that his philanthropy serves corporate or personal interests. |
Tech Visionary: |
As one of the early figures in podcasting and digital media, Curry is seen as a forward-thinking figure in tech and media spaces. |
Techno-Authoritarianism: |
The belief that technology and data-driven governance will lead to better societal outcomes, often criticized for enabling authoritarian control by reducing human agency and democratic input. |
Techno-Clergy: |
Scientists and technologists who are regarded as holding a special, almost divine knowledge, often unchallengeable by the general public. |
Techno-Determinism: |
The belief that technological advancements drive societal progress and change, often criticized for ignoring the complex interplay of social, political, and ethical factors in technological development. |
Techno-Determinist Philosophy: |
The belief that technological advancements determine the direction of society, often criticized for ignoring the agency of individuals or ethical considerations in shaping the future. |
Techno-Determinist Utopianism: |
The belief that the inevitable march of technological progress will lead to a perfect society, often criticized for ignoring the complex social, ethical, and political issues involved in technological development. |
Techno-Feudalism: |
A critique suggesting that large tech companies have created a new form of feudalism, where users and workers are dependent on digital platforms controlled by a few powerful entities. |
Techno-Fundamentalism: |
The belief that technology, and the technological advancements derived from science, are the ultimate solutions to all of society’s problems, often ignoring social, ethical, or political complexities. |
Techno-Optimism: |
The belief that technological progress will inevitably lead to positive societal outcomes, solving major issues like poverty, climate change, and disease, often viewed through a utopian lens. |
Techno-Prophets: |
A term used to describe prominent figures in science and technology who are treated like visionaries or prophets, with their predictions and ideas being followed with near-religious fervor. |
Techno-Salvation: |
The belief that technological and scientific advancements will "save" humanity from its problems, criticized for ignoring social, ethical, and environmental considerations. |
Techno-Scientism: |
The belief that all social, moral, and philosophical issues can be addressed through technological and scientific means, often ignoring the role of culture, ethics, and human experience. |
Techno-Soteriology: |
The belief that technology and science will "save" humanity, often with religious overtones of salvation, redemption, or utopian futures promised through scientific breakthroughs. |
Techno-Utopianism: |
The belief that technology, science, and rationality will lead to a perfect or near-perfect society, criticized for being overly optimistic and ignoring social, political, or ethical concerns. |
Technobabble: |
Using scientific or technical jargon to confuse or impress rather than clarify, often used to dismiss someone's overreliance on complex language that obscures the issue. |
Technocracy: |
A form of governance where decisions are made by technical experts, often critiqued as overly bureaucratic or undemocratic when applied to political and social issues. |
Technocrat: |
A term used by both supporters and critics to describe Bill Gates’ emphasis on using technology and scientific expertise to solve global problems. Critics sometimes use it in a negative sense, implying that Gates prioritizes technology over human values or individual freedoms. |
Technocratic Elitism: |
A belief that scientific experts and technocrats are best suited to make decisions for society, often criticized for marginalizing ordinary people and democratic processes in favor of rule by the "scientific elite." |
Technocratic Globalism: |
A term used to criticize the WEF for promoting a technocratic vision of global governance, where unelected elites dictate policies that affect nations and people worldwide. |
Technocratic Governance: |
A system of government in which decisions are made based on technological and scientific expertise, often criticized for sidelining democratic input and over-prioritizing efficiency over ethical concerns. |
Technocratic Overreach: |
Critics accuse the administrative state and technocrats of making policy decisions without democratic input, often based on data-driven governance rather than elected representation. |
Technocratic Priesthood: |
A critical term referring to scientists and technologists who are seen as the modern-day equivalent of priests, wielding knowledge that ordinary people are expected to trust without question. |
Technocratic Salvationism: |
The belief that technology will solve all of humanity’s problems, often framed in a near-religious way as though technology is humanity’s savior. |
Technocratic Tyranny: |
A term used to describe global institutions as promoting a technocratic agenda, where unelected experts and bureaucrats exert control over national governments and policies. |
Technocratic Utopianism: |
The belief that scientific and technological governance will lead to a utopian society, often criticized for being overly simplistic and disregarding the ethical, social, and political challenges of such a system. |
Technogaianism: |
A belief in using technology to intentionally enhance or improve the Earth’s ecosystem, often through advanced environmental engineering projects or green technology. |
Technological Convergence: |
The blending of different technologies, such as AI, IoT, and biotechnology, to create new innovations that transcend traditional boundaries and enable exponential growth in capability. |
Technological Determinism: |
The belief that technology drives societal change, often critiqued for ignoring the social and political forces that shape technological development. |
Technological Singularity: |
A future point where technological growth, particularly in AI, becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in radical changes to human civilization. |
Technological Unemployment: |
The theory that advances in automation and AI will lead to widespread job loss, as machines increasingly perform tasks previously done by humans. |
Teflon President: |
A nickname given to Reagan, suggesting that no scandal or criticism seemed to stick to him, due to his charm and communication skills. While some saw this as a strength, critics viewed it as an evasion of accountability. |
Teleology: |
The explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by their cause. Often invoked to critique someone for ascribing intentional purpose or destiny to historical events or outcomes. |
Telomere Length: |
A marker of biological aging that refers to the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes; longer telomeres are associated with longevity. |
Terraforming Mars: |
The process of altering the environment of Mars to make it more Earth-like and habitable for humans, often seen as a long-term solution to overpopulation or environmental challenges on Earth. |
Terraforming: |
The process of altering the environment of a planet to make it habitable for humans, often discussed in the context of Mars or other potential extraterrestrial colonies. |
Terrorist Attack: |
A term used by Israel and many Western nations to describe the Hamas-led assault on October 7th, labeling it as an act of terrorism targeting civilians. |
Terrorist: |
A term used by governments and critics to describe groups or individuals who use violence, often against civilians, to achieve political or ideological goals. Frequently, the same group might be labeled as terrorists by one side and freedom fighters by another, depending on the context and political perspective. |
Texas Cowboy: |
A term used both positively and negatively to describe Bush’s persona as a brash, straightforward leader. Supporters viewed him as strong and principled, while critics saw him as reckless and uninformed. |
Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy: |
Cherry-picking data clusters to fit an argument, ignoring information that doesn’t support your position. Example: "Look at these cities where the crime rate went down after this law was passed, so it must work everywhere." |
The Akashic Records: |
A metaphysical compendium of all knowledge, thoughts, and events, believed to exist in a non-physical realm, accessible through spiritual insight or meditation. |
The American Dream: |
The belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success through hard work, often celebrated as a hallmark of American society but criticized for being increasingly unattainable. |
The Big Guy: |
A reference from emails allegedly found on Hunter Biden’s laptop, interpreted by some as implicating Joe Biden in business deals. Supporters argue it lacks credible evidence. |
The Big Lie: |
A propaganda technique where a falsehood is repeated frequently enough that it becomes accepted as truth by the public. |
The Clinton Machine: |
A term used by critics to describe the powerful and often controversial political network built by Bill and Hillary Clinton, suggesting it operates like a political dynasty. |
The Drama Triangle: |
A model from transactional analysis describing the roles of victim, rescuer, and persecutor in dysfunctional social dynamics. It’s sometimes used condescendingly to label interpersonal conflicts in an oversimplified way. |
The Elite: |
A term used by populist movements to describe political, corporate, and media leaders who are seen as corrupt, out of touch with ordinary people, and prioritizing global or corporate interests. |
The Farm: |
Slang for the CIA's training facility for operatives, located at Camp Peary in Virginia. |
The Fool Says There Is No God: |
A Biblical phrase (Psalm 14:1) often used by religious critics to argue that disbelief in God is foolish or irrational. |
The God Delusion: |
A popular atheist concept (and book by Richard Dawkins) that argues belief in God is irrational and harmful, used to promote atheism. |
The Great Awakening: |
A belief within far-right and QAnon circles that the masses will eventually wake up to the corruption and deception of the global elites, leading to a revolution or reckoning. |
The Great Communicator: |
A term used by both supporters and critics to describe Reagan’s ability to connect with the American public through his speeches and media presence. Supporters saw it as a strength, while critics sometimes used it to suggest style over substance. |
The Great Replacement: |
Another term for the replacement theory, which claims that global elites are deliberately replacing white populations in Western countries with immigrants. |
The Grind: |
A term for hard work and hustle, often used in entrepreneurial or self-improvement contexts. When used condescendingly, it implies someone is obsessed with productivity at the expense of personal well-being or relationships. |
The Iron Law of Oligarchy: |
The theory that all forms of organization, regardless of how democratic they are in the beginning, will eventually and inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies. |
The Kinder, Gentler Nation: |
A phrase Bush used to describe his vision for America, focusing on civil discourse and bipartisanship. Supporters saw it as a call for unity, while critics felt it reflected a lack of bold leadership. |
The Law of Attraction: |
A popular New Age belief that like attracts like, meaning that positive or negative thoughts can bring corresponding experiences into a person's life. |
The Male Gaze: |
A feminist concept that critiques how media and culture depict women from a male perspective, objectifying them and reinforcing gender norms. |
The New Rationalism: |
A term used to describe the modern worship of rationality and scientific reasoning as the only path to truth, often criticized for being dogmatic and dismissive of other perspectives. |
The Science Is Settled: |
A phrase used to assert that a particular scientific consensus is unchangeable and beyond question, often criticized as dogmatic when used to shut down debate or inquiry. |
The Third Eye: |
A mystical concept referring to an invisible eye, often associated with the pineal gland, believed to provide insight into higher consciousness or spiritual realms. |
The Veil: |
A metaphor for the barrier between the physical world and spiritual realms, often used to describe moments of clarity or spiritual insight when this "veil" is said to thin. |
The Wall: |
Refers to Trump’s proposed border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, a cornerstone of his campaign. Supporters see it as essential for border security, while critics view it as ineffective and xenophobic. |
Theater of Operations: |
The area or region where military activities or operations are taking place, often used to describe active conflict zones. |
Theocracy: |
A system of government in which religious leaders or laws govern the state, often used pejoratively by critics who oppose religious influence in politics. |
Theocratic Regime: |
A term used by critics of Iran’s government to highlight its fusion of religious authority and political power under the Supreme Leader. |
Theoretical Grandstanding: |
Using academic theories and terms in a way that shows off intellectual knowledge rather than engaging meaningfully with an argument. This can also be used to intimidate less academically inclined participants in the debate. |
Theorycrafting: |
Often used in a dismissive way to describe someone who is focused on theoretical ideas and models rather than practical action or real-world solutions. |
Third-Dimensional Thinking: |
A phrase used to describe someone stuck in the materialistic, ego-driven mindset of the third dimension, contrasted with higher, more enlightened ways of thinking (4D or 5D). |
Third-Wave Feminism: |
A critique that current feminist movements focus on identity politics, such as intersectionality and gender fluidity, to the detriment of broader gender equality issues. |
Thirst Trap: |
A photo or post, usually on social media, intended to attract attention or compliments, often by appearing provocatively or attractive. |
Thirsty: |
A term used to describe someone who is overly eager for attention, often in a romantic or sexual context. |
Thought Leader: |
A term used to describe an individual whose ideas and opinions are seen as influential or cutting-edge in a particular field, often in technology, media, or politics. |
Thought Leadership Hub: |
Davos is regarded as a place where world leaders, intellectuals, and business executives gather to share ideas and generate thought leadership on global issues. |
Thought Policing: |
Informal or formal attempts to control what people think or say, often used in the context of extreme political correctness or authoritarian regimes that enforce ideological conformity. |
Thoughtcrime: |
A concept from George Orwell’s 1984, referring to the act of holding beliefs or opinions that oppose the dominant political ideology, even without expressing them. |
Thousand Points of Light: |
A term used by Bush to emphasize volunteerism and community service. Supporters saw it as a call to civic responsibility, while critics found it vague or hollow. |
Thread Hijacking: |
Taking over or diverting a conversation in an online thread by posting off-topic or irrelevant content, often to troll or disrupt the original discussion. |
Thread Necromancy: |
The act of replying to or reviving a very old or inactive thread on a forum or message board, often considered annoying or unnecessary. |
Thread: |
A series of connected messages or posts on platforms like Twitter or Reddit, typically revolving around the same topic or conversation. |
Threadjack: |
The act of hijacking a discussion thread by introducing irrelevant or off-topic content, often seen as disruptive. |
Ticking Time Bomb Scenario: |
A theoretical argument used to justify torture, suggesting that in extreme cases, such as preventing an imminent terrorist attack, torture could be necessary. This has been widely criticized as both immoral and ineffective. |
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read): |
A shorthand used when summarizing a lengthy post or message, or used by readers to express that a post was too long to engage with. |
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read): |
A summary of a lengthy post for users who don’t want to read the full content. |
Token Hire: |
A term used to describe a situation where an individual from a marginalized group is hired to fulfill a diversity quota, often without real intention of inclusion or addressing systemic issues within the organization. |
Tokenism: |
The practice of making a perfunctory or symbolic effort to include members of minority groups, often without meaningful inclusion or power-sharing. |
Tommy Robinson: |
A British far-right activist known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric, who has become a prominent figure among far-right and nationalist movements in the UK. |
Tone Policing: |
Criticizing the emotional tone of someone's argument rather than engaging with the substance of what they’re saying, often used to dismiss passionate or angry responses from marginalized groups. |
Too Academic: |
A critique that an argument is focused too much on theoretical details rather than practical concerns, often used to dismiss arguments from those in academic or intellectual fields. |
Too Big to Fail: |
A term used to describe large financial institutions or corporations whose failure would have a catastrophic impact on the economy, often invoked to justify government bailouts. |
Top G: |
A self-referential term used by Tate to describe himself as an exceptional and influential figure in the world of masculinity and success. |
Tor (The Onion Router): |
A browser and network that enables anonymous internet use by directing traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers (nodes), often associated with privacy and the dark web. |
Torture Memo: |
Legal memos issued by the Bush administration’s Office of Legal Counsel that provided the legal justification for the use of enhanced interrogation techniques. Critics argue these memos authorized war crimes. |
Total Information Awareness (TIA): |
A concept where governments have access to vast amounts of personal data, allowing them to monitor nearly every aspect of their citizens' lives, often seen as a precursor to authoritarianism. |
Tough on Crime Hypocrite: |
Critics, particularly from the left, accuse Harris of hypocrisy for promoting criminal justice reform while having a record of supporting tough-on-crime policies as a prosecutor. |
Toxic Femininity: |
A term used to describe behaviors traditionally associated with femininity that are harmful or manipulative, often used condescendingly to suggest women are reinforcing stereotypes or exploiting gender roles. |
Toxic Independence: |
Refers to individuals who refuse help or collaboration to a detrimental extent, often implying they’re sabotaging their own success. It can be used to criticize people for being overly prideful or stubborn. |
Toxic Masculinity: |
A critique of cultural norms that encourage harmful behaviors and attitudes in men, such as aggression, emotional repression, and dominance, seen as detrimental to both men and women. |
Toxic Online Spaces: |
The manosphere is often criticized for creating toxic online communities where negative stereotypes about women are normalized, and harmful behaviors are encouraged. |
Toxic Positivity: |
The belief that being overly positive can dismiss or invalidate genuine emotions, particularly negative ones. It's used to criticize someone who denies the existence of real problems by forcing positivity. |
Toxic Productivity: |
The belief that constant work and productivity are necessary for success, often to the detriment of health and well-being. It can be used critically to imply that someone is obsessive or self-destructive. |
Toxic: |
A term used to describe overly aggressive, hostile, or rude behavior in online gaming communities. |
Track II Diplomacy: |
Informal and unofficial negotiations between private individuals or groups to resolve conflicts or ease tensions between nations or groups. |
Tradecraft: |
The methods, skills, and tactics used in espionage and intelligence gathering. |
Traditional Gender Roles: |
The belief that men and women have inherently different roles in society, with critics of feminism often arguing that these roles should be maintained for social stability. |
Traditional Marriage: |
Refers to the belief that marriage should only be between one man and one woman, often used by those opposing same-sex marriage. |
Tragedy of the Commons: |
An economic theory that describes how individuals acting in their own self-interest can deplete or destroy a shared resource, often cited in environmental and public goods discussions. |
Transgender Agenda: |
A derogatory term used by opponents to claim that trans rights activists are pushing for radical societal changes, often in the context of education or healthcare. |
Transgender Rights: |
Refers to the legal and civil rights of transgender individuals, including access to healthcare, the right to change legal gender markers, and protection from discrimination. |
Transgender: |
An umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. |
Transhumanism: |
The belief or movement advocating for the enhancement of humans through advanced technologies such as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and cybernetics to transcend physical and cognitive limitations. |
Transition: |
The process of changing one’s gender presentation or body to align with their gender identity, which may include social, medical, or legal steps. |
Transracial Adoption: |
The practice of adopting a child of a different race than the adoptive parents. It raises important questions about identity, race, and the ability to provide cultural education and support. |
Trauma Bonding: |
A psychological term referring to strong emotional ties developed between a victim and their abuser. It’s sometimes used dismissively in pop psychology contexts to oversimplify unhealthy relationship dynamics. |
Trauma Dumping: |
Sharing deep, personal traumas with someone without consent or warning, often burdening the listener. It’s sometimes used dismissively to suggest someone is oversharing or emotionally self-indulgent. |
Trauma-Informed Care: |
An approach in healthcare or education that recognizes the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma (such as slavery or colonization) on marginalized communities and adapts care to their needs. |
Treaty: |
A formal, legally binding agreement between two or more sovereign states. |
Triangulation: |
A political strategy where a politician positions themselves between two opposing ideologies, attempting to appeal to both sides without fully committing to either. |
Tribalism: |
A critique of identity politics, implying that it fosters a tribalistic mentality where people align themselves with their identity group to the exclusion of others, leading to increased societal polarization. |
Trickle-Down Economics Proponent: |
A pejorative term used to critique neoliberal economic policies that claim tax cuts and deregulation for the wealthy will eventually benefit everyone through job creation and investment, seen as ineffective by critics. |
Trickle-Down Economics: |
A critique of Reagan’s economic policies, arguing that tax cuts for the wealthy did not lead to widespread prosperity but instead increased inequality. |
Trickle-Down Effect: |
The belief that benefits provided to the wealthy or businesses (such as tax cuts) will eventually "trickle down" to the broader economy, improving overall economic conditions. |
Triggered: |
A psychological term for an emotional response to a traumatic experience, it is often used in a belittling way to mock someone for overreacting. |
Troll: |
A person who posts inflammatory, rude, or controversial comments online to provoke a reaction or disrupt conversations. |
Trolling: |
Deliberately posting provocative, off-topic, or inflammatory content to evoke reactions. |
Trudeaumania: |
Refers to the intense public fascination and support for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, often used positively by supporters but mockingly by critics. |
Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS): |
A term used by Trump supporters to mock critics, implying they are irrationally obsessed with hating Trump to the point of mental instability. |
Trumpism: |
A political ideology associated with Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric, emphasizing nationalism, populism, anti-elitism, and a focus on law and order. Supporters see it as a pro-American movement, while critics view it as authoritarian and divisive. |
Truth Decay: |
A concept referring to the diminishing role of facts and analysis in public discourse, where emotional appeals, opinions, and falsehoods take precedence over truth. |
Truth Policing: |
A critical term used to describe efforts by governments or organizations to regulate and control the flow of information, often viewed as censorship by critics. |
Truth Teller: |
Dore is viewed by his fans as someone who cuts through mainstream media spin and provides an unfiltered perspective on U.S. politics and global events. |
Tu Quoque (Whataboutism): |
Responding to criticism by accusing the opponent of hypocrisy instead of addressing the point. Example: "How can you criticize our environmental policies when your country pollutes so much?" |
Twin Flame: |
A spiritual relationship concept suggesting that two souls are mirror images of each other, destined to be together for the purpose of personal and spiritual growth. |
Twitch: |
A live streaming platform primarily for gamers, where users can broadcast gameplay, interact with viewers in real-time, and build communities around content creation. |
Two-State Solution: |
The proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that envisions independent Israeli and Palestinian states living side by side. |
Tyranny: |
A term frequently used by anti-government groups to describe the overreach of government power, especially when it involves restrictions on personal liberties, gun rights, or free speech. |
Tyrant: |
Used by critics to describe Putin as an authoritarian ruler who suppresses dissent, stifles free speech, and commits human rights abuses. |
U.S. Puppet: |
Detractors argue that NATO is largely controlled by the United States and used to advance U.S. foreign policy interests rather than truly functioning as a collective defense organization. |
Ubiquitous Computing: |
The idea that computers will become so integrated into the fabric of daily life that they will become invisible and seamlessly interact with humans and the environment. |
Uhuru: |
A word from Swahili meaning "freedom," but used ironically by the Proud Boys as a mocking chant aimed at leftist or socialist protesters. |
Ukrainian Nationalism: |
Used positively by Zelenskyy’s supporters to describe a strong sense of patriotism and defense of sovereignty, and negatively by critics who associate it with extremism or fascism. |
Ultranationalism: |
An extreme form of nationalism that advocates for the superiority and dominance of one’s nation, often rejecting foreign influence and minority rights. |
Unborn Child: |
A term used by anti-abortion advocates to emphasize the personhood and humanity of the fetus in the abortion debate. |
Uncritical: |
A term used to imply that someone is not thinking deeply enough or challenging their own assumptions, often used to suggest that the opponent’s argument lacks intellectual rigor. |
Unifier-in-Chief: |
A term used by Biden’s supporters to describe his efforts to bridge political divides and restore civility after the Trump presidency. |
Unilateralism: |
The practice of engaging in bold foreign actions without consulting or cooperating with allies or international institutions, often criticized as reckless or irresponsible. |
Universal Basic Income (UBI): |
A policy embraced by many on the populist left, advocating for a guaranteed income to ensure that everyone has the resources to meet their basic needs. |
Universal Human Rights Advocate: |
The idea that global institutions promote and protect a universal set of human rights that transcend national borders, including protections for freedom of speech, religion, and from persecution. |
Universal Translator: |
Advanced AI-driven technologies that enable real-time translation between different languages, potentially breaking down communication barriers across cultures and nations. |
Universalism: |
The belief that policies should be designed to benefit all people equally, regardless of identity. Opponents of identity politics often advocate for universalist approaches to avoid focusing on particular groups. |
Unlawful Enemy Combatant: |
A term used to describe individuals captured during the War on Terror who were not afforded the rights of prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions. Critics argue this term was used to bypass legal protections and justify torture. |
Unplug from the Matrix: |
A popular metaphor in the Red Pill community that encourages men to reject societal norms and expectations, particularly those that favor women or suppress masculinity. |
Unprovoked Attack: |
A term used by Israel and its allies to describe the October 7th Hamas attack on Israeli civilians, portraying it as unjustified violence. |
Unrealistic Idealist: |
Critics argue that AOC’s policy proposals, such as the Green New Deal, are unachievable and lack practical solutions to complex issues. |
Unsophisticated: |
Labeling an argument as overly simple or naive, implying that the opponent does not fully grasp the complexity of the issue at hand. |
Uprising: |
A spontaneous or organized rebellion against oppression, often sparked by a specific event and involving mass mobilization of protesters or revolutionaries. |
Urban Verticalization: |
The trend toward building upward rather than outward in densely populated areas, using vertical farming, housing, and infrastructure to maximize space efficiency in future megacities. |
USENET: |
One of the earliest distributed discussion systems where users could post "news" to newsgroups in various categories. Precursor to modern forums and subreddits. |
Utilitarianism: |
A theory in ethics that advocates for actions that maximize happiness or well-being. Intellectuals might invoke this to suggest that their opponent’s argument is morally inadequate. |
Utopian Socialism: |
A dismissive term used to argue that communism or socialism is unrealistic, claiming that such systems ignore human nature and the complexities of economic systems. |
Vaccine Mandate: |
A policy requiring vaccination for certain activities or employment, praised by public health advocates but heavily criticized by libertarians and some conservatives as infringing on personal freedoms. |
Vaccine Microchips: |
A conspiracy theory alleging that Bill Gates is using vaccines to implant microchips in people for surveillance purposes. This claim is entirely baseless but gained traction during the Covid-19 pandemic. |
Vaccine Push: |
A term used by critics, particularly in anti-vaccine circles, to suggest that Gates is promoting vaccines for profit or control, rather than for public health reasons. |
Vaccine Shedding: |
A discredited theory that vaccinated individuals can "shed" virus particles and infect others, often used in anti-vaccine rhetoric to spread fear about vaccinated people. |
Vanguard of the Proletariat: |
A Leninist concept in which a small, revolutionary elite leads the working class to overthrow capitalism and establish socialism. |
Vaporwave: |
A niche internet aesthetic and music genre that blends retro 80s and 90s visuals with slowed-down, distorted music, often associated with nostalgia and critiques of consumerism. |
Vaxxed and Waxed: |
A humorous phrase describing people who, after getting vaccinated, are ready to resume pre-pandemic activities such as dating or traveling. |
Vegan Vibration: |
The belief that eating a plant-based diet raises one’s vibrational frequency, as opposed to eating meat, which is said to lower it. |
Verbal Diarrhea: |
A crude expression used to describe someone who talks excessively, often using complicated language without saying anything of real value. |
Verification: |
The process of confirming the authenticity of information, sources, images, or videos, often through cross-referencing and research. This is fundamental to fact-checking practices. |
Vertical Expansion: |
The concept of building cities upward (skyscrapers, vertical farms) rather than outward to manage overpopulation, optimize space, and integrate smart, sustainable technologies. |
Vertical Farming: |
The use of vertically stacked layers to grow crops in controlled environments, such as skyscrapers or repurposed buildings, aiming to increase food production efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of traditional agriculture. |
Veteran Advocate: |
Walz, a former National Guard member, is admired for his commitment to veterans’ issues and his advocacy for military families. |
Vibe Check: |
A term used to gauge the energy or mood of a situation or person. It can be used dismissively to imply someone’s attitude or behavior is off or inappropriate. |
Vibrational Alignment: |
The idea that one must align their thoughts, feelings, and actions with a desired frequency to attract positive experiences or outcomes, often linked to the law of attraction. |
Vibrational Frequency: |
The idea that everything in the universe vibrates at different frequencies, and individuals can raise or lower their vibrational energy through practices like meditation or positive thinking. |
Vibrational Medicine: |
A broad term for treatments that claim to use energy vibrations (e.g., crystals, sound therapy) to heal physical or emotional ailments. |
Victim Mentality: |
A critique of feminism that suggests feminists position women as perpetual victims of oppression, rather than encouraging personal responsibility or empowerment. |
Victimhood Culture: |
A term used by critics to describe what they see as a culture that encourages people to define themselves primarily through their identity-based grievances, reinforcing a sense of victimhood rather than resilience. |
Viral Misinformation: |
Describes false or misleading information that spreads rapidly on social media or other online platforms, often due to its sensational or emotional appeal. |
Viral: |
Content that rapidly spreads across the internet due to frequent sharing on social media, often gaining mass exposure in a short time. |
Virtual Reality (VR): |
An immersive, computer-generated environment that users can interact with, typically via headsets. VR is popular in gaming, education, and increasingly in fields like medicine and architecture. |
Virtue Economy: |
The notion that social and political capital is now gained by individuals and corporations through performing acts of virtue, such as taking progressive stances on social justice issues. |
Virtue Signaling: |
A derogatory term used to criticize people who publicly express support for identity-based social justice causes, often implying that these expressions are more about appearing morally superior than making substantive change. |
Vitalism: |
The belief that living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living entities because of some "vital force" or essence, often associated with pseudoscientific health practices. |
Vlogger: |
A person who creates video content for social media platforms, especially YouTube, documenting their life or providing commentary on specific topics. |
Voice for the Working Class: |
AOC’s background as a working-class woman and her focus on economic justice resonate with those who see her as a representative of ordinary Americans. |
Voice of the People: |
Populists on both sides frame themselves as true representatives of the people, unafraid to speak out against powerful interests that have silenced or ignored the majority. |
Vortex: |
A place of high spiritual energy, where the Earth’s energy is believed to be especially strong. Locations like Sedona, Arizona, are often considered spiritual vortices. |
Voter Suppression: |
Efforts to reduce or hinder the ability of certain groups, particularly minority groups, to vote, often attributed to conservative policies. |
VPN (Virtual Private Network): |
A service that creates a secure, encrypted connection between a user’s device and the internet, often used for privacy and security. |
Vulnerability Hangover: |
A term coined by Brené Brown, it describes the feeling of discomfort or regret after being emotionally vulnerable. It’s sometimes used in a dismissive way to imply over-sensitivity. |
Waco: |
Refers to the 1993 siege of a compound in Waco, Texas, where federal agents clashed with members of the Branch Davidians. The event has become a symbol of government overreach for far-right and anti-government groups. |
Wage Gap: |
The difference in earnings between men and women, often cited by feminists as evidence of systemic inequality in the workplace. |
Walk-in: |
A person who voluntarily offers to become a spy or provide intelligence, usually approaching an intelligence agency on their own. |
War Crimes: |
A phrase used by critics of both Hamas and Israel to describe actions that violate international law, including the targeting of civilians during the conflict. |
War Criminal: |
A label applied by critics, especially in the West, accusing Putin of ordering war crimes in Ukraine, Syria, and Chechnya, including targeting civilians. |
War Critic: |
His anti-war stance, particularly his opposition to U.S. military interventions in the Middle East, is a cornerstone of his appeal to left-leaning progressives. |
War for Oil: |
A phrase used by critics of the Iraq war to suggest that the true motivation behind the invasion was securing access to Iraq’s vast oil reserves. |
War Hawk: |
A derogatory term used to describe neoconservatives who are seen as overly eager to advocate for military intervention and war, often at the expense of diplomacy. |
War Machine: |
NATO is often accused of being a military tool of Western imperialism, used to pursue U.S. and European geopolitical interests through aggressive military interventions. |
War of Aggression: |
A term used to describe interventions that are seen as unjust, illegal, or unprovoked, often criticized by opponents of interventionism. |
War of Attrition: |
A strategy focused on wearing down the enemy over time by continuously inflicting losses on personnel, equipment, and supplies. |
War on Drugs Failure: |
Critics argue that Reagan’s War on Drugs disproportionately targeted minority communities and led to mass incarceration without reducing drug use. |
War on Terror Advocates: |
Neoconservatives are often credited for their decisive response to the 9/11 attacks, framing the War on Terror as a necessary defense of Western civilization. |
War on Terror: |
A term used to describe the global military and political campaign launched by the U.S. in response to the 9/11 attacks, often praised by supporters of U.S. foreign policy and criticized by anti-war activists. |
Warez: |
Illegally distributed software, games, or other media that are pirated and shared online, often through underground forums or IRC channels. |
Water Memory: |
A pseudoscientific claim used to justify homeopathy, suggesting that water can "remember" substances that were once dissolved in it, despite no scientific evidence for this effect. |
Water Protector: |
Activists, often from Indigenous communities, who protest against projects like oil pipelines that threaten water sources and the environment. |
Waterboarding: |
A controversial interrogation technique that simulates drowning. Defenders argue that it yielded valuable intelligence, while critics and international organizations classify it as torture. |
Watergate Criminal: |
Nixon is remembered by many for his involvement in the Watergate scandal, which led to his resignation and has become synonymous with political corruption and abuse of power. |
Watergate Resilience: |
Supporters of Nixon sometimes admire his ability to accomplish significant political feats despite the scandal that ultimately ended his presidency, citing his political skill. |
Weak Leader: |
Critics of Carter argue that his presidency was marked by indecision and an inability to manage crises, particularly the Iran hostage crisis and economic stagflation. |
Wealth Hoarders: |
Opponents accuse the WEF of being a platform for the world’s wealthiest individuals to hoard wealth while advocating for policies that do little to address global inequality. |
Wealth Inequality: |
A major critique of capitalism, focusing on the growing gap between the rich and the poor, and arguing that capitalism concentrates wealth in the hands of a few at the expense of the many. |
Wealth Tax Advocate: |
Left-wing populists are known for promoting wealth taxes on the richest individuals to reduce economic inequality and fund public services. |
Weapon of War: |
A phrase used by opponents of civilian gun ownership to describe military-style firearms, arguing that these weapons are inappropriate for civilian use. |
Weaponization of AI: |
Refers to the development of artificial intelligence technologies for military purposes, raising ethical concerns about autonomous weapons systems and the future of warfare. |
Weaponized Language: |
The strategic use of language to discredit, undermine, or manipulate an opponent or situation, often by framing them in a negative light (e.g., calling opposition "fascists" or "communists"). |
Weaponized Narrative: |
The strategic use of stories and information to influence public opinion or policy, often used in the context of political propaganda or media manipulation. |
Weaponizing Identity Politics: |
A phrase used to critique what some see as the manipulation of identity-based issues (race, gender, sexuality) to divide people or gain political power, often used by those who oppose intersectional approaches to justice. |
Weaponizing Identity: |
A term used to suggest that proponents of identity politics use identity as a tool to gain political power or moral superiority, rather than addressing broader issues of inequality. |
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs): |
A term central to the justification for the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, based on claims that Saddam Hussein possessed chemical and biological weapons. These claims were later proven to be false. |
Wearable Technology: |
Devices that can be worn on the body, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and augmented reality glasses, that collect data or provide enhanced capabilities to the wearer. |
Weather Modification: |
A conspiracy theory linked to HAARP, where proponents claim the program is capable of controlling or manipulating weather patterns for military or political purposes. |
Weeb: |
Short for "weeaboo," a slang term for someone, often non-Japanese, who is obsessed with Japanese culture, especially anime, manga, and video games. |
Welfare Queen: |
A controversial term popularized during Reagan’s presidency, referring to his anecdote about a woman defrauding the welfare system. Critics argue it promoted harmful stereotypes about African Americans and low-income communities, while supporters saw it as highlighting government waste. |
Welfare Reform: |
A legislative achievement of Bill Clinton’s presidency, often praised by centrists and conservatives for reducing welfare dependency but criticized by progressives for disproportionately hurting low-income individuals. |
Welfare State Expander: |
The populist left is often criticized for wanting to expand welfare programs in ways that critics argue create dependency and reduce incentives to work. |
Western Chauvinism: |
A belief central to the Proud Boys ideology that Western culture is superior to all others, often invoked to justify anti-immigrant and anti-globalist positions. |
Western Imperialism: |
A phrase used by pro-Russian voices to argue that the West, particularly the U.S., exerts undue influence over Eastern Europe, with Ukraine acting as a proxy for American interests. |
Western Meddling: |
A phrase used by Russia and its supporters to accuse Western countries of interfering in Russia’s affairs, often through sanctions or support for opposition groups. |
Western Puppet: |
A term used by critics, often aligned with pro-Russian narratives, accusing Zelenskyy of being controlled by Western governments, particularly the U.S. and NATO. |
Wet Work: |
Espionage or covert operations that involve assassination or violence, often used to refer to missions where killing is required. |
Whataboutism: |
A rhetorical tactic in which someone deflects criticism by bringing up an unrelated or less relevant issue, often used to avoid addressing the original topic. |
White Ethnostate: |
A concept promoted by white supremacist groups, advocating for a state or nation that is exclusively for white people, excluding or expelling people of other races. |
White Europe: |
A slogan used by European far-right groups to advocate for a Europe that is exclusively white, often as a reaction against immigration from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. |
White Feminism: |
A critique of mainstream feminist movements that fail to address issues of race or intersectionality, prioritizing the experiences of white women over women of color. |
White Flight: |
The phenomenon of white people moving out of urban areas when people of color move in, driven by racist fears of declining property values or increasing crime. |
White Fragility: |
A term coined by Robin DiAngelo to describe the defensive reactions of white people when confronted with the realities of racism, often resulting in anger, denial, or withdrawal. |
White Genocide: |
A conspiracy theory suggesting that policies promoting immigration, diversity, or multiculturalism are a deliberate attempt to eradicate the white race. |
White Guilt: |
A term used to describe feelings of guilt experienced by some white people when confronting the privileges they hold in a racially unequal society. Sometimes used derogatorily by critics of anti-racism to dismiss these feelings as excessive or performative. |
White Man’s Burden: |
A colonial-era phrase suggesting that white people have a moral responsibility to "civilize" non-white populations, reinforcing notions of white superiority. |
White Nationalism: |
An ideology that advocates for the establishment of a white racial nation-state, often tied to racist beliefs about the superiority of the white race. |
White Nationalist Sympathizer: |
A severe critique that accuses Carlson of being sympathetic to white nationalist views, particularly in his discussions about the "Great Replacement" theory. |
White Passing: |
Refers to people of mixed or non-white heritage who appear phenotypically white and may benefit from white privilege, but may still identify with or face struggles related to their non-white heritage. |
White Pride: |
A term used by white supremacist groups to promote racial superiority, often used as a counterpart to "Black pride" movements that celebrate African heritage. |
White Privilege: |
The societal advantages that white people experience because of their race, often unacknowledged or invisible to those who benefit from it. |
White Replacement: |
A conspiracy theory rooted in white nationalist rhetoric that claims white populations are being "replaced" by people of color, often linked to anti-immigrant and racist ideologies. |
White Savior Complex: |
The belief that white people must "save" or "rescue" people of color from their own situations, often perpetuating paternalistic or condescending attitudes. |
White Supremacy: |
A belief system that suggests white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds; often used to describe systems or structures that perpetuate racial inequality. |
White Terrorism: |
Acts of terrorism committed by individuals or groups with white supremacist or nationalist ideologies. These acts are often aimed at intimidating or attacking racial minorities. |
White Woman’s Tears: |
A critique of how white women’s emotions, particularly crying or portraying themselves as victims, have historically been used to deflect accountability or shift attention away from the harm done to people of color. |
White-Savior Industrial Complex: |
A critique of Western, often white, individuals or organizations who claim to "rescue" people in non-Western or marginalized communities, but who actually reinforce power imbalances and perpetuate dependency. |
Whiteness: |
A social construct that centers white experiences and norms as universal, often serving as the invisible standard against which other races are compared. |
Wholesome Meme: |
A type of meme that promotes positivity, kindness, or moral uplift, contrasting with edgier or more sarcastic internet humor. |
Willie Horton Ad: |
A controversial attack ad used by Bush’s campaign during the 1988 presidential race, which highlighted a crime committed by a Black man released on furlough. Critics argue the ad was racist fearmongering, while supporters argue it was fair game in discussing crime policies. |
Wimp Factor: |
A term used by Bush’s critics during his presidency to suggest that he lacked the toughness and resolve needed to lead, though supporters found this criticism baseless and offensive. |
Winnie the Pooh Ban: |
A meme mocking Chinese censorship after the government banned images of Winnie the Pooh, who had been compared to President Xi Jinping in online jokes. |
WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction): |
The primary justification given by the Bush administration for invading Iraq. When no WMDs were found, critics argued that the war was based on false pretenses. |
WOD (Workout of the Day): |
A key part of CrossFit culture, where each day’s workout is pre-programmed and shared with participants. |
Woke Capitalism: |
A term used by critics to describe corporations that adopt progressive social justice causes as part of their branding, often accused of doing so for profit rather than genuine concern. |
Woke: |
Initially referring to being aware of social injustices, it has recently become a term used in a dismissive or mocking way, particularly by critics who believe it’s overused or insincerely applied. |
Wokeism: |
A term often used pejoratively by critics of identity politics to describe an ideology focused on social justice and identity issues, suggesting that it has become performative or overly moralistic. |
Wolverines: |
A term used by militia groups to refer to resistance fighters, inspired by the movie Red Dawn, where high school students form a militia to fight back against a Soviet invasion. |
Word Salad: |
A pejorative term used to describe complex but meaningless jargon or language, often used by pseudo-intellectuals to give the impression of deep thought without actual substance. |
Workers' Champion: |
The populist left is praised for fighting on behalf of the working class, advocating for policies like higher wages, labor rights, and economic equality. |
Workers' Revolution: |
The belief that the working class must rise up against the capitalist system to overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a classless society. |
Workers’ State: |
A government run by and for the working class, with the goal of dismantling capitalism and redistributing wealth and power. |
Working-Class Hero: |
AOC’s background as a former bartender and her advocacy for policies that help the working class, such as a $15 minimum wage, have made her a symbol of working-class empowerment. |
Working-Class Representatives: |
Members of the Squad are seen as true representatives of the working class, focusing on issues such as labor rights, healthcare access, and economic inequality. |
World Government Scheme: |
Conspiracy theorists often accuse the WEF of advocating for a one-world government, using global crises like climate change or pandemics to justify their power grab. |
Xenophobia: |
A fear or hatred of foreigners or people from different cultures, often attributed to conservative attitudes on immigration. |
Xenophobic Nationalist: |
Critics accuse the populist right of promoting xenophobia and nationalism, particularly in their opposition to immigration and multiculturalism. |
Yasss: |
An enthusiastic expression of approval or excitement, commonly used in online culture and social media to hype someone up. |
Yellow Journalism: |
Sensationalized, exaggerated, or misleading journalism that prioritizes eye-catching headlines over accuracy, often used to manipulate public opinion. |
Yellow Peril: |
A racist trope from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, referring to the fear that East Asians (particularly Chinese or Japanese people) would threaten Western society or take over economically. |
Yellowcake Uranium: |
A critical element of the controversy leading up to the Iraq invasion. The Bush administration claimed Iraq had sought yellowcake uranium from Niger to develop nuclear weapons. This claim was debunked, but it played a key role in justifying the war. |
Yes We Can: |
A slogan from Obama’s campaign that became a symbol of his inspirational rhetoric. Supporters embraced it as a message of empowerment, while critics viewed it as empty words. |
Zerg Rush: |
A gaming term (from StarCraft) used to describe overwhelming an opponent with a large number of weak units, often applied to situations where a group attacks someone en masse online. |
Zero-Day Exploit: |
A security vulnerability in software or hardware that is unknown to the vendor and can be exploited by hackers before it is patched or fixed. |
Zero-Sum Game: |
The belief that any gains for one side come at the expense of another, often used in discussions about economic policy, immigration, or cultural issues. |
Zero-Waste Economy: |
A circular economic system where all materials and products are reused, recycled, or biodegraded, eliminating waste and reducing the environmental footprint of industrial activity. |
Zionism: |
A movement supporting the re-establishment and development of a Jewish homeland in Israel, often used by supporters as a positive term, but by critics as a pejorative. |
Zionist Occupied Government (ZOG): |
A conspiracy theory promoted by far-right and neo-Nazi groups that claims Jewish elites control governments around the world, particularly in Western countries. |
Zombie Economy: |
Refers to an economy where growth is driven by companies that are not profitable but continue to operate due to government support or market distortions. |
The Universal Guide to Popular Cultural, Internet, Online, and Political Jargon offers a comprehensive deep dive into the constantly evolving language that shapes modern discourse across the internet, political arenas, and cultural landscapes. As society becomes more connected through digital platforms, the terms and phrases we use reflect our diverse perspectives, political ideologies, and cultural identities. From early internet jargon rooted in BBS and IRC days to modern slang dominating platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram, this guide explores how language is both a tool for connection and a battleground for ideological struggles.
Jargon like gaslighting, bothsidesism, and dog-whistling have become embedded in political discourse, serving both as ways to call out manipulation and ways to delegitimize opposing viewpoints. In fitness and wellness, movements like keto, carnivore, and plant-based diets have developed their own language, which often intersects with broader lifestyle choices and personal identity. Across political spectrums, from Reaganomics to Reagan Democrats, from Bush’s New World Order to Trump’s America First, and from Obama’s Hope and Change to Hillary’s emails, jargon reflects the deeply divisive and polarized nature of contemporary discussions.
This guide does not shy away from controversial, politically charged, and often triggering terms. It covers jargon from both ends of the spectrum—terms that praise and vilify public figures, movements, and ideologies, offering insight into the words that provoke heated debates and shape the way people engage with politics, social media, and global issues. The terms surrounding figures like Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump show how conspiracy theories like Pizzagate or discussions about Epstein and the Clinton Foundation fuel cultural and political tensions.
Moreover, this guide highlights how language can be used to both empower and disempower. From describing individuals as freedom fighters or terrorists, to the debate over enhanced interrogation versus torture, jargon shapes how we perceive morality, legality, and justice on the global stage. As wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown, the framing of terms like WMDs, Shock and Awe, and yellowcake uranium can dramatically alter public opinion and international policy.
Ultimately, this guide serves as both a reflection and a tool for understanding the power of language in the digital age. Whether you're navigating social media, engaging in political discourse, or trying to understand the latest trends in fitness or activism, this comprehensive collection of jargon provides critical context for the way we communicate today. In an era where words can trigger, provoke, unite, or divide, being aware of the underlying connotations of these terms is essential to navigating the modern cultural and political landscape.