Moloch is the personification of terrible systems or situations in society that everyone hates but don't get fixed.
Originally the name of a Canaanite god which received child sacrifices, Allen Ginsberg used Moloch to symbolize the state of industrial civilization in his poem "Howl".
The blogger Scott Alexander popularized the term as it is commonly used by many rationalists, although it was already in occasional use by historians and economics to describe systemic issues within or caused by their respective fields.
The term is often used by particularly condescending rationalists to talk down to public servants, academics, and occasionally founders of startups who are trying their best to change the world for the better but likely have no real power to do so.
Originally the name of a Canaanite god which received child sacrifices, Allen Ginsberg used Moloch to symbolize the state of industrial civilization in his poem "Howl".
The blogger Scott Alexander popularized the term as it is commonly used by many rationalists, although it was already in occasional use by historians and economics to describe systemic issues within or caused by their respective fields.
The term is often used by particularly condescending rationalists to talk down to public servants, academics, and occasionally founders of startups who are trying their best to change the world for the better but likely have no real power to do so.
Very often with capitalism, business practices are set by Moloch: No one person has any influence over the matter.
Oh, you're in welfare policy research? I thought Moloch had already eaten all the value there.
Oh, you're in welfare policy research? I thought Moloch had already eaten all the value there.
by dptimessmallconstant April 13, 2019
Get the Moloch mug.by loca October 19, 2004
Get the mole mug.Related Words
One of the most vile enemies of Space Ghost, the heroe of the 1960's show "Space Ghost"
Now stars on the late night Sunday show, "Space Ghost : Coast to Coast"
Now stars on the late night Sunday show, "Space Ghost : Coast to Coast"
by Larstait November 6, 2003
Get the Moltar mug.The hottest waisian looking angel who fell from hell but gets drooled over by certain girls. They have a tendency to have tough times through puberty.
Jane: Oh my god, did you just see that Molen right there?
Sandra: Hell yeah, I'd totally bang it up.
Jane: Nah bitch, it's mine
Sandra: Hell yeah, I'd totally bang it up.
Jane: Nah bitch, it's mine
by spindatwheelboi February 14, 2018
Get the Molen mug.Moldova is a country in Eastern Europe, located between Romanian and Ukraine. It was a part of Romania until it was annexed to the USSR as a consequence of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939. The language spoken in Moldova is Romanian, and the majority of population is of Romanian ethnicity. In spite of the communist denationalization and brainwashing, a lot of people from Moldova know their true origins and history and still didn't give up on the thought of uniting with Romania. People from Moldova hope that the situation will get better here and they will have a chance to aproach the European values and standards when they will have a new democratical government.
I visited Moldova last year.
by Daniellaa July 18, 2009
Get the Moldova mug.A slang term given to an MDMA (ecstasy) binge. Molly is a slang term for pure MDMA powder, but it has sometimes been adapted to include pills, especially in the plural form (example: We just scored a bunch of mollies). The term "Molly McBender" was derived as a play on "Molly McButter," the name of a butter substitute. These benders can last anywhere from half of a day to a week or more.
by dizzybizzy September 1, 2005
Get the Molly McBender mug.A group of thin, wispy hairs located on the upper lip that the wearer believes constitutes facial hair. Much like he believes her thin, wispy cries constitute consent.
Hey, nice molestache...wait, what are you doing? Don't touch me, just--no! Oh, God! Help! Please, someone! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!
by mart1779 February 11, 2009
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