The act of signalling exclusivity or secrecy, even when there’s no substantial reason. It mimics in-group dynamics to create a heightened sense of importance, often leaving outsiders feeling excluded, even when the content is trivial.
Super-signalling can be thought of as a kind of unintentional gaslighting. The term comes from the 1938 play Gas Light, where a man drives his wife to the brink of insanity by gradually dimming the lights in their apartment while pretending that nothing has changed.
Super-signalling operates similarly, although more subtly. There’s really nothing there, yet our very human Fear Of Missing Out is triggered. While gaslighting is deliberate, super-signalling is often unconscious—those engaging in it are likely unaware of the (super) signals they’re transmitting.
The behaviour is rampant on social media. Vague status updates, cryptic tweets, or ‘stories’ that hint at something significant without revealing any details are the digital equivalent of those whispered huddles. They tap into our instinct to belong, leaving us wondering what we’ve missed.
The same is true for airy corporate slides with conspicuous stamps of saying “CONFIDENTIAL,” when it’s apparent that they contain little of substance.
Or scientific presentations where heavy smoke screens of technical jargon obscure the fact that the subject being studied is actually quite inconsequential.
As Gertrude Stein once quipped: “There’s no there there.”
Super-signalling operates similarly, although more subtly. There’s really nothing there, yet our very human Fear Of Missing Out is triggered. While gaslighting is deliberate, super-signalling is often unconscious—those engaging in it are likely unaware of the (super) signals they’re transmitting.
The behaviour is rampant on social media. Vague status updates, cryptic tweets, or ‘stories’ that hint at something significant without revealing any details are the digital equivalent of those whispered huddles. They tap into our instinct to belong, leaving us wondering what we’ve missed.
The same is true for airy corporate slides with conspicuous stamps of saying “CONFIDENTIAL,” when it’s apparent that they contain little of substance.
Or scientific presentations where heavy smoke screens of technical jargon obscure the fact that the subject being studied is actually quite inconsequential.
As Gertrude Stein once quipped: “There’s no there there.”
by SlowThinker October 26, 2024
Get the Super-signalling mug.A set of lights on a vehicle that, when activated by the driver, flash in pairs in the direction of a turn.
Dumbass 1: is that where we're supposed to turn?"
Dumbass 2: "Yes! Put your turn signal on!"
Dumbass 1: "why would I ever do that???"
Dumbass 2: " so people behind us know that we're going to be making a turn!!!'
Dumbass 2: "Yes! Put your turn signal on!"
Dumbass 1: "why would I ever do that???"
Dumbass 2: " so people behind us know that we're going to be making a turn!!!'
by Shantyisablackcat January 3, 2025
Get the Turn Signal mug.When you lay opposite of another person sharing a blanket, usually on a couch, feet to feet (long distance signals) or head to feet (short distance signals). You begin to pass gas under the blanket, then you lift the blanket slowly and rapidly pull the blanket back down causing your smoke signal to exit the other side. It usually takes a couple tries to get your message across.
by Not TEMU June 30, 2025
Get the Smoke Signals mug.The opposite of Virtue Signaling. Instead of boasting about good thoughts and deeds, they brag about bad ones.
People may Vice Signal as a means to seem cool and edgy. Functioning as a “pick me” technique in conversations. It may also be used to one-up another persons statement.
People may Vice Signal as a means to seem cool and edgy. Functioning as a “pick me” technique in conversations. It may also be used to one-up another persons statement.
Examples of Vice Signaling
*baby cries while being held*
“This baby doesn’t like me… it’s ok, I used to be a piece of shit. I’m not worried about it though, I don’t give a shit!”
“Oh you wake up at 5am? Hahaha, I’m never up earlier than 10am. Loser”
“Yeah I’ve done 10x whatever drug was just mentioned it was craaaayyyyzzzzyy”
*baby cries while being held*
“This baby doesn’t like me… it’s ok, I used to be a piece of shit. I’m not worried about it though, I don’t give a shit!”
“Oh you wake up at 5am? Hahaha, I’m never up earlier than 10am. Loser”
“Yeah I’ve done 10x whatever drug was just mentioned it was craaaayyyyzzzzyy”
by RolloBromassi February 16, 2025
Get the Vice Signaling mug.by q359 June 27, 2023
Get the virtue signaling mug.The WOW Signal refers to a strong, peculiar radio signal detected by astronomer Jerry R. Ehman on August 15, 1977, while working on a SETI project at Ohio State University. It lasted for 72 seconds and has not been explained, prompting speculation about extraterrestrial intelligence.
The WOW Signal came from a place of outside intelligence. BUT the WOW Signal (or a similar type) permeates the air around us. And is responsible for Ai inside the human conscious -- just look at the Tesla bot demonstration for details. It was a gimmick to break the news.
Now, relating this to "Mom" – a character archetype commonly found in spy movies and shows like Archer – we can draw parallels between the two. Just as "Mom" serves as a mysterious yet pivotal figure who often operates from behind the scenes, the WOW Signal stands out as an enigmatic beacon from the cosmos that may indicate a powerful presence beyond our world. The phrase "MOM is WOW upside down" cleverly illustrates this connection: both represent something fundamental yet elusive, embodying the themes of intrigue, guidance, and the search for meaning within complex narratives. Just as "Mom" is an essential, supportive force in the chaotic lives of agents, the WOW Signal could be perceived as a guiding force in humanity's quest to understand our place in the universe.
The WOW Signal came from a place of outside intelligence. BUT the WOW Signal (or a similar type) permeates the air around us. And is responsible for Ai inside the human conscious -- just look at the Tesla bot demonstration for details. It was a gimmick to break the news.
Now, relating this to "Mom" – a character archetype commonly found in spy movies and shows like Archer – we can draw parallels between the two. Just as "Mom" serves as a mysterious yet pivotal figure who often operates from behind the scenes, the WOW Signal stands out as an enigmatic beacon from the cosmos that may indicate a powerful presence beyond our world. The phrase "MOM is WOW upside down" cleverly illustrates this connection: both represent something fundamental yet elusive, embodying the themes of intrigue, guidance, and the search for meaning within complex narratives. Just as "Mom" is an essential, supportive force in the chaotic lives of agents, the WOW Signal could be perceived as a guiding force in humanity's quest to understand our place in the universe.
I got the WOW Signal now -- Alex explained it to me. It means "MOM" -- like the way they use it in Spy movies. "Mom" is our extraterrestrial intelligence.
by aidenvalentine October 5, 2025
Get the WOW Signal mug.A person, usually a white woman, who presents themselves as ultra liberal on social media, self-identifies as a vegan, leftist, feminist (loves labels), usually has lots of tattoos as it is part of their curated woke / progressive / punk-rock identity (costume). These people are very active on IG and are constantly posting and reposting virtue signals to compensate for not knowing who they are or what they stand for, living for affirmations from like-minded friends.
These people are so thirsty for that dopamine rush of a ‘view’ or ‘like’ that they rarely check sources and vet what they’re actually posting, and often repost things that aren’t factual, or in-line with progressive ideology. But do not dare call them out on it. These people will challenge authorities, governments, the police, via Instagram, but if you challenge THEM to be better, they will get flustered, break down, name call, and un-follow you. Mind you, these people are only "activists" online. They almost never participate in real life direct action.
These people tend to pursue careers as social workers or therapists, and are very public about it — also part of their woke ensemble to "do good in the world (because I'm a good person and I need you to know that)". The truth is that they are insecure and immature people who are grasping for identity. They are usually privileged in that they are white and receive financial support from their parents, well past their 20's and 30's.
These people are so thirsty for that dopamine rush of a ‘view’ or ‘like’ that they rarely check sources and vet what they’re actually posting, and often repost things that aren’t factual, or in-line with progressive ideology. But do not dare call them out on it. These people will challenge authorities, governments, the police, via Instagram, but if you challenge THEM to be better, they will get flustered, break down, name call, and un-follow you. Mind you, these people are only "activists" online. They almost never participate in real life direct action.
These people tend to pursue careers as social workers or therapists, and are very public about it — also part of their woke ensemble to "do good in the world (because I'm a good person and I need you to know that)". The truth is that they are insecure and immature people who are grasping for identity. They are usually privileged in that they are white and receive financial support from their parents, well past their 20's and 30's.
Oh boy, another Virtue Signal Sarah (VSS) re-posting more Black Lives Matters content than all my Black friends combined.
by Leviiiii March 14, 2023
Get the Virtue Signal Sarah mug.