Definitions by Abzugal
Delusionlighting
A form of Digitallighting that uses accusations of delusion, mental illness, or irrationality to systematically undermine the target’s sense of reality. The perpetrator repeatedly tells the target that they are “crazy,” “schizophrenic,” “not thinking clearly,” or “seeing things that aren’t there,” often in public threads. Over time, the constant gaslighting erodes the target’s confidence in their own perceptions, making them question whether their experiences are real. Delusionlighting weaponizes mental‑health stigma to isolate and destabilize.
Example: “Every time she posted about her experiences, he commented ‘you’re delusional, get help.’ After months, she started doubting her own memories—delusionlighting, turning her own mind into a battleground.”
Delusionlighting by Abzugal April 1, 2026
Delusionsplaining
A form of Digitalsplaining where the perpetrator “explains” to the target that their beliefs, experiences, or perspectives are delusional—often accompanied by armchair diagnoses (“you’re schizophrenic,” “you need a psychiatrist,” “you’re mentally ill”). The splainer adopts a pseudo‑clinical tone, framing their dismissal as concern or education. The goal is to pathologize the target, making them doubt their own sanity while positioning the splainer as the rational, objective authority. Delusionsplaining is a favorite tactic in debates about spirituality, trauma, and non‑mainstream knowledge, where labeling someone “delusional” serves as a shortcut for engaging with their actual claims.
Example: “When she shared her meditation practice, he replied with a long thread ‘explaining’ that she was exhibiting signs of delusion and should seek professional help—delusionsplaining, using mental‑health language to silence without argument.”
Delusionsplaining by Abzugal April 1, 2026
Brainpost
A specific type of post in online debates—often a form of goalpost-moving and proofpost—that deploys brainlighting or brainsplaining to dismiss an opponent without engaging their argument. Brainposts include memes of someone pointing at their head (“use your brain”), GIFs of characters looking confused, or text like “free brain to you” (implying the target needs one). They function as rhetorical shortcuts: instead of responding to substance, the brainposter implies that the target is simply too stupid to understand, and that further engagement is pointless. The post moves the goalpost from “provide evidence” to “prove you have a brain”—an impossible standard that ends the conversation while letting the poster appear superior.
Brainlighting
A form of Digitallighting that weaponizes brain-related insults to systematically dismantle a target’s confidence in their own mind. The perpetrator repeatedly tells the target they are “stupid,” “brainless,” “delusional,” or that they “need to use their brain”—often in public threads, so the target’s credibility is eroded before witnesses. Brainlighting combines the gaslighting effect (making the target doubt their own perception) with public humiliation. The goal is to isolate the target by convincing both them and onlookers that the target cannot think clearly, therefore anything they say is suspect. It is frequently used in debates where the actual substance is inconvenient, replacing argument with character assassination.
Example: “He ignored her sources, her logic, her evidence, and just kept posting ‘you dropped your brain.’ After weeks of this, she began to wonder if she was missing something obvious. Brainlighting: making someone doubt their own intellect to win without argument.”
Brainlighting by Abzugal April 1, 2026
Brainsplaining
A form of Digitalsplaining where the perpetrator uses brain-related insults to dismiss, belittle, and gaslight the target—telling them they “don’t have a brain,” calling them “dumb,” “retarded,” or suggesting they “dropped their brain.” The splainer positions themselves as the sole possessor of intelligence, framing any disagreement as evidence of the target’s cognitive deficiency. Brainsplaining often escalates: starting with condescending explanations of basic concepts, moving to direct insults when challenged, and culminating in claims that the target is simply incapable of understanding. Unlike ordinary insults, brainsplaining is systematic—it’s not just name-calling but a sustained effort to undermine the target’s confidence in their own reasoning, making them doubt whether they are thinking clearly at all.
Example: “When she questioned his claim, he replied with ‘people with a brain exist and we force you to cope.’ Every response was framed as her lacking basic intelligence. Brainsplaining: using cognitive superiority as a weapon.”
Brainsplaining by Abzugal April 1, 2026
Tinfoillighting
A specific variant of conspilighting focused on the “tin foil hat” stereotype—the image of the paranoid, irrational conspiracy believer. Tinfoillighting dismisses any critical inquiry or unconventional perspective by implying that the questioner is delusional, paranoid, or disconnected from reality. It is often deployed in response to legitimate questions about institutional secrecy, historical revision, or corporate malfeasance, shutting down discussion by mocking the asker as unhinged.
Example: “When he asked why the official story had changed three times, they laughed and said ‘nice tin foil hat.’ Tinfoillighting: using mockery to dodge legitimate questions.”
Tinfoillighting by Abzugal March 31, 2026
Conspilighting
A Digitallighting tactic that accuses the target of being a conspiracy theorist, regardless of whether the target has expressed any conspiratorial views. The conspilighter uses “conspiracy theory” as a generic insult to dismiss any claim that challenges official narratives, institutional authority, or the perpetrator’s worldview. By labeling the target a “tin foil hat,” “conspiracist,” or “QAnon believer,” they attempt to associate the target with the most extreme and stigmatized figures, hoping that the association alone will discredit them. Conspilighting is a cheap way to avoid engaging with substance.
Example: “He pointed out documented corporate lobbying that influenced policy; she called him a conspiracy theorist. Conspilighting: using the label to avoid addressing evidence.”
Conspilighting by Abzugal March 31, 2026