Cognitive dissonance

A term used by assholes on the internet who try to sound smarter then they really are, without knowing what it actually means

“Wear a mask”

“Oh no I don’t think I shall, you must have cognitive dissonance”

by Cakeboy327 December 6, 2020

Post-VR Dissonance

Post-VR Dissonance is a feeling users that are new to Virtual Reality devices often experience after using the console. Some feelings include feeling like you're remotely controlling yourself, a need to touch something to feel grounded, and possibly symptoms of Motion Sickness. After a few days the dissonance disappears and using VR and regular life become second nature. It is recommended to not use VR applications that use Joystick movement, high intensity games, or very long experiences in VR when one is new to the platform, as these can possibly worsen the effects of Post-VR Dissonance.

Clyde played a high intensity VR game the first day he used his headset, and felt Post-VR Dissonance because of it.

by M. D, VR Enthusiast August 16, 2020

Generational Dissonance

When something is loved by one generation and hated by another. It's usually a case of something being hated by boomers and loved by either millennials or zoomers.

"Oh, I love Rise of the TMNT! Donny is best Turtle! uwu"
"NO YOU IDIOT! THEY RUINED THE TURTLES WITH THAT SHOW. The 80s Cartoon and live action film are where it's at!"
"Ok boomer. Looks like we have a case of generational dissonance."

by Anon7650 August 31, 2023

cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort felt when holding two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes, or when one's behavior contradicts these beliefs. This mental tension creates a desire to reduce the inconsistency, which people achieve by changing their beliefs or behaviors, adding new justifications, or ignoring the conflicting information.

She experienced cognitive dissonance when she promoted healthy eating while regularly indulging in junk food.

by Emotional Cruiser September 21, 2025

intellectual dissonance

The phenomenon of being opposed to a subject or topic like censorship, yet finding it intriguing and worthwhile to study. This term captures the conflict between personal beliefs and the intellectual curiosity that drives someone to explore contentious or challenging subjects.

Even though I have strong reservations about censorship, my intellectual dissonance compelled me to delve into its implications on freedom of expression.

by Emotional Cruiser September 19, 2025

Performative Dissonance

The artistic technique or emotional state where a piece of music, art, or a person displays a contradiction between the external appearance and the internal reality — without openly acknowledging it. In music, it refers to the contrast between energetic, upbeat melodies or performative confidence and lyrics that express vulnerability, insecurity, or pain. The juxtaposition reflects the emotional façade people often put on, hiding their true feelings behind a mask of positivity or strength. The key element is that the performance does not break the fourth wall — the song or performance never directly acknowledges the dissonance, instead allowing it to exist in the tension between sound and meaning.

1. Olivia Rodrigo's "Brutal" is a classic example of performative dissonance — the loud, confident sound masks the anxiety and frustration she’s feeling.

2. The song had an overwhelming sense of performative dissonance, where the upbeat rhythm clashed with the loneliness in the lyrics.

by Labourpp February 28, 2025

Cognitive Dissonance

Matthew Hartke has a video on YouTube about how it explains Christianity but THAT'S TOTALLY A THING I SAID! CORRECT AGAIN! GREATEST MIND WHO HAS EVER LIVED! But ow... My great mind hurts- Do I have asprin or something?

Hym "Cognitive Dissonance as an explanation for Christianity is totally a thing I said... Just sayin..."

by Hym Iam June 7, 2024