Human Peacocking's definitions

Veneer Career

The socially respectable and seemingly profitable job or career that a wealthy person claims to have to hide the fact that they don't really work or make money and instead coast off their savings, inheritance, or other handouts.

For example someone might claim to be a 'designer' though no one buys anything they make and they live off their parents, or someone might say they're an 'investor' but they don't invest any money or do anything to make profit.

Such claimed careers and jobs give status and recognition to someone who would otherwise be classified as unemployed or idle.

He claims he's an investor but that's just his veneer career, he just comes from a rich family and spends his parents money but doesn't do anything otherwise. His sister's veneer clothing is a handbag line she puts out which has 2 customers: her parents.

by Human Peacocking December 12, 2024

Vulnerability Brag

Purposefully highlighting your sensitivity, pain, fears, or weaknesses to a public audience.

There goes another CEO using a vulnerability brag by crying on social media

by Human Peacocking July 16, 2024

Neuro-Bullshit

Neurological terms, photos of brains, or other brain scientific imagery, language, or concepts used to persuade an audience of people who are not neuroscientists.

The guy made a claim we were supposed to believe and then to convince us he just started spouting a lot of neuro-bullshit about the brain.

by Human Peacocking May 30, 2024

Status blowback

The negative reaction by an audience to someone who displays or experiences higher status, often as a result of resentment, envy, or jealousy at the person's status.

I don't want to wear my expensive watch to meet that group because of the potential status blowback.

by Human Peacocking April 25, 2024

Eulogy Brag

To highlight one's closeness to a famous person who recently died by loudly proclaiming how close you were with them and how much their passing affects you, all under the guise of a eulogy. Can be strengthened through the use of personal stories, photos, or nicknames.

John: It's so terrible that Johnny died, we were so close and I'll never recover from this.
Alice: You mean that famous billionaire that you met once at a conference 5 years ago?

That's guy's facebook post is a complete eulogy brag, he barely knew that famous person who just died and now he's acting like they were the closest friends ever and is so hurt by his passing.

by Human Peacocking March 29, 2024

Neuro-Bullshit

Reference to some neurological study or brain imaging study or MRI study or 'the brain points light up here' study which has value implications about something super complex, but is used by a speaker to baffle their audience, claim expertise, and make a point that can't be refuted (unless the audience is neuroscientists).

Look at that speaker putting all that Neuro-Bullshit on the presentation screen at the start of their lecture in order to convince us that what they're saying about how people behave is right. They're not a neuroscientists and neither are we, why are they showing us brain photos?!

by Human Peacocking March 5, 2024

Eulogy Brag

To brag, highlight, or bring attention to one's close relationship with a recently deceased famous person. Can also include referencing specific stories. Often these are done (consciously or not) to increase status through reminding everyone how close one was to a famous person.

John just posted a 4 page eulogy brag about that famous singer that died who he claims to have known quite well, but who in reality he just met backstage for 1 minute 15 years ago.

by Human Peacocking March 2, 2024