The Logical Fallacy's definitions

Marxist Schadenfreude

When one takes pleasure in inflicting misfortune onto the rich and powerful (regardless of intentions).

Some of them suggest that he's not so much a champion of the oppressed so much as an adrenaline junkie who uses powerful and amoral opponents as a source of Marxist schadenfreude.

by The Logical Fallacy May 23, 2018

The Department of Bitching and Moaning

An organization to social justice warfare on the internet.

"So what's trending today?"
"Hmmm, another terrorist attack..."
"Pass."
"...more corruption in our justice system..."
"Double Pass."
"...someone thinking about not seeing the new Ghostbusters movie..."
"Someone is not thinking about seeing the new Ghostbusters movie! Away!"
--The Department of Bitching and Moaning, Nostalgia Critic review of Ghostbusters (2016)

by The Logical Fallacy October 11, 2018

Panopticon Effect

Habits and behavior reflexively caused by the belief that one is being observed or when their actions will become known to another person.

If a stranger leaves a credit card in the room with you, you COULD write down all of its numbers and buy something with it, but you won't. Maybe because someone who would take offense to it is in the same room. Or there is a security camera in the room and someone on the other side will see it. Or the person who owns the card will notice less money in their account and find the address the package was sent to. You probably don't even know the specific reason beyond a strange tingling in the back of your neck warning you of the dangers of doing it. No matter the specific reason, they all fall under the Panopticon Effect.

by The Logical Fallacy October 3, 2022

performative cruelty

Putting on a show of belittling, bullying and/or humiliating someone outside of an in-group for the purposes of placating or entertaining those within the group. Usually done to present oneself as "badass" or "hardcore".

In an age of performative cruelty,

kindness is punk as fuck.
Be punk as fuck.

by The Logical Fallacy April 11, 2025

closed systems of thought

A way of thinking that begins with the conclusion and spends the rest of its time trying to find ways to justify the conclusion, rather than the other-way around.

During an interview with the Monty Python troupe in 1979, they professed that "Life of Brian" was a condemnation of closed systems of thought. Example: after Brian escapes from the Romans, he is followed by a group of people who mistakenly believe he is the Messiah based on the fact that he does not finish his statement and therefore is "mysterious" to them. When he tells them he is not the messiah, they claim that only the true messiah would deny this. That is where dogma comes in. In the early stages of their new religion, Brian's unlikely followers built their faith out fo whole-cloth. They recover a gourd that is briefly owned by Brian, proclaim that it is a holy artifact and begin to assign greater meaning and significance to it. Upon finding his shoe, a schism emerges among his new followers. They are instantly dedicated to the emerging dogma to the religion of Brian. They are so eager to believe in Brian as the messiah that they immediately begin fashioning the tenants of their faith; the dogma of their religion.

-- Dogma & Theology - Life of Brian | Renegade Cut

by The Logical Fallacy January 12, 2019

Rotten Tomatoes Dilemma

When you aren't sure if you should listen to the criticisms and opinions of the professional few (critics, analysts and your teachers) or the unprofessional many (fans, peers and the general public).

The ole' Rotten Tomatoes Dilemma: should I listen to the critics who know what they're talking about and have learned advice, or the crowd of people that like what I've made warts and all?

by The Logical Fallacy July 1, 2022

Drag Queen Wisdom

Wisdom commonly shared between drag queens, usually involving being oneself and not apologizing for it. Not to be confused with famous drag queen Wanda Wisdom.

Drag Queen Wisdom is like Southern Wisdom, but with more sass.

by The Logical Fallacy January 1, 2019