Rings of Power Effect
noun
When a pre-existing franchise adaptation tries so hard to feel “epic” and cinematic that it forgets the story, characters, and themes that made the original beloved. Named after the Amazon series that turned a classic Tolkien tale into a confusing, melodramatic spectacle.
Symptoms include:
Gratuitous CGI and flashy setpieces that overshadow the plot
Characters acting in ways that make no sense just to create drama
Important lore ignored or rewritten for shock value
Fans collectively asking, “Wait… what timeline is this even in?”
When a pre-existing franchise adaptation tries so hard to feel “epic” and cinematic that it forgets the story, characters, and themes that made the original beloved. Named after the Amazon series that turned a classic Tolkien tale into a confusing, melodramatic spectacle.
Symptoms include:
Gratuitous CGI and flashy setpieces that overshadow the plot
Characters acting in ways that make no sense just to create drama
Important lore ignored or rewritten for shock value
Fans collectively asking, “Wait… what timeline is this even in?”
Rings of Power Effect by TheNinjaSandwich February 6, 2026
Word of the Day on February 7, 2026
Backrooms
The Backrooms are a concept first showcased in a post on 4chan, where one user described a realm made up of nothing but infinite, empty, interconnected rooms with horrible yellow wallpaper and loud fluorescent lights. The concept has now been expanded upon and revamped numerous times over.
The Backrooms, in general, are a series of liminal spaces designed to evoke a feeling of eeriness and nostalgia. They are designed to be a form of psychological horror, with the emptiness and eerie feelings as the main point of the Backrooms. They take elements from everyday life, things that one would not ordinarily pay attention to, and takes them out of context to create something uncanny. Something empty. They are designed to feel surreal, dream-like. Often, the structure and physical design of these liminal spaces are completely nonsensical, as if they were not deliberately made, which, of course, only adds to the psychological horror of the Backrooms.
If you'd like a more in-depth explanation, take a look at Solar Sands' video on YouTube on the subject, titled, "Liminal Spaces".
There's also a Fandom site for the Backrooms, at backrooms.fandom.com.
The Backrooms, in general, are a series of liminal spaces designed to evoke a feeling of eeriness and nostalgia. They are designed to be a form of psychological horror, with the emptiness and eerie feelings as the main point of the Backrooms. They take elements from everyday life, things that one would not ordinarily pay attention to, and takes them out of context to create something uncanny. Something empty. They are designed to feel surreal, dream-like. Often, the structure and physical design of these liminal spaces are completely nonsensical, as if they were not deliberately made, which, of course, only adds to the psychological horror of the Backrooms.
If you'd like a more in-depth explanation, take a look at Solar Sands' video on YouTube on the subject, titled, "Liminal Spaces".
There's also a Fandom site for the Backrooms, at backrooms.fandom.com.
Backrooms by ParallaxAstro December 8, 2022
Word of the Day on February 6, 2026
Linkgating
When a media or social media page hide valuable information behind a link. Unlike clickbait, this information is typically important and valid. They aren’t happy enough with you engaging with the post. They also want you clicking the link and scrolling through the ads to find the info.
A specific form of gatekeeping.
A specific form of gatekeeping.
The post says, “USDA has recalled this produce from all grocery stores.” I wish they didn’t linkgate, and just told us the item
That page is Linkgating, by only saying “Children being serious hurt by this new trend”
That page is Linkgating, by only saying “Children being serious hurt by this new trend”
Linkgating by Booger13 February 4, 2026
Word of the Day on February 5, 2026
Pronoia
Pronoia is a mental condition we should all have.
Pronoia is neologism that is defined as the opposite state of mind to paranoia: having a sense that there is a conspiracy that exists to help the person.
It is also used to describe a philosophy that the world is set up to secretly benefit people.
-AH Simkins
Pronoia is neologism that is defined as the opposite state of mind to paranoia: having a sense that there is a conspiracy that exists to help the person.
It is also used to describe a philosophy that the world is set up to secretly benefit people.
-AH Simkins
Thoosie
A roller coaster enthusiast who is realllly into roller coasters. Like, never fucked a pussy-level nerdom. Can often be spotted obsessing over non-important aspects of roller coasters, amusement parks, and entertainment industry, wearing cargo shorts, park pins, and a handheld digital camera. Fury 325, Steel Vengeance, and Orion shirts are also popular.
Thoosie by CoasterFarce June 16, 2021
Word of the Day on February 2, 2026