Popularity Polynomial

This is when something which portrays itself as "cutting edge" becomes mainstream, but soon becomes overexposed, behind the times, old hat, or just plain uncool.

Due to the popularity polynomial Pokemon is back in style.

by flintlocke314 September 11, 2018

Retcon

Reframing past events to serve a current plot need.

A retcon is an instance of a hand wave.

by flintlocke314 September 11, 2018

Values Dissonance

Tropes that are common denominators. Their viewers recognize them, laugh at them or groan at them, but most of us can guess where they're coming from—specifically, what cultural values are embodied in the trope.

A meme is an example of applied values dissonance.

by flintlocke314 September 11, 2018

Phlebotinum

A versatile substance that may be applied to anything in order to cause an effect needed by a plot.

Kryptonite is considered a phlebotinum device as it is invariably used to paralyze Superman in DCU comic plots.

by flintlocke314 September 11, 2018

Group Contagion

Certain ideas or attributes of a subject are eventually spread to others in the group.

Group Contagion effect is a result of Syndrome E.

Group Contagion effect can be seen in Germany during the 3rd Riech under Hitler's rule.

by flintlocke314 September 25, 2018

Discredited Meme

1. Any meme that has fallen out of favor with pop culture, or at least the segment it was popular in.

2. A Catch-Phrase that was repeated too much.

The Ugandan knuckles meme is a discredited meme.

by flintlocke314 September 11, 2018

Nostalgia Filter

There is a tendency for some adults and some teenagers to see the newer material in a medium (be it music, film, animation, or comic books) as inferior to the older classics that they knew in their youth.

Nostalgia filters are usually developed when people are under the age of 30.

by flintlocke314 September 11, 2018