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-signallingmug. The Green haired transformation used by Broly (Z).
HIS POWER IS MAXIMUMER
Not to be confused with the Yellow Haired form also referred to as THE Legendary Super Saiyan.
HIS POWER IS MAXIMUMER
Not to be confused with the Yellow Haired form also referred to as THE Legendary Super Saiyan.
by Topax February 28, 2024
Get the Legendary Super Saiyanmug. by The creator of super sex November 22, 2022
Get the Super Sexmug. a immensely large piece of graffiti , extremely colorful ,like a 1000 pieces , 100 burners , or 10 murals
these can take months to do , they are the top form of graffiti art , and depending on where you live , they can be rare .
these can take months to do , they are the top form of graffiti art , and depending on where you live , they can be rare .
by acid.2011 January 11, 2012
Get the super burnermug. by 459395 May 12, 2023
Get the Super chatmug. These words are uttered when an individual begins to run as fast as they can because they just realised that they are late for something. Super Asian Dash!! is generally used by Asians but occasionally, close friends may also use it.
Person 1: "Oh, I have to go get my books for class - Super Asian Dash!!"
Person 2: "But there's still 5 minutes!" (sigh)
Person 2: "But there's still 5 minutes!" (sigh)
by YummySY June 1, 2011
Get the Super Asian Dash!!mug. 