South Park Pathology refers to an attitude characterized by a deliberate display of apathy or disdain for caring about something, stemming from the belief that showing enthusiasm or concern is uncool or cringe. This mindset is often presented as a way of being "above" the act of caring, and it was popularized by the animated television show South Park. The term is particularly associated with millennials and serves as a critique of "poser" culture: if it is considered uncool to care deeply about something, then, paradoxically, it becomes "cool" to appear disinterested or dismissive.
John is embarrassed to tell people he plays Yu-Gi-Oh! because of South Park Pathology, fearing they might think it's cringe to care about a card game.
John is considered "based" because he shares his interests authentically and passionately, even though others with South Park Pathology tell him he's cringe for caring too much.
John is considered "based" because he shares his interests authentically and passionately, even though others with South Park Pathology tell him he's cringe for caring too much.
by Erik Houdini July 17, 2024
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Get the <.7.9.7.6.>Frequency Gates Are Thoughts Of Ripple Delete Through Pathological Gibberish<.7.9.7.6.> mug.In the same spirit as a Murder of Crows and a Herd of Buffalo Cory Doctorow implied that a group of conservatives could be termed a Pathology.
A Pathology of Conservatives in Congress today voted to end yet another freedom formerly held by the citizens of the country.
by mycotropic February 19, 2024
Get the A Pathology of Conservatives mug.The cognitive bias where someone dismisses another person's views, disagreements, or different perspectives by labeling them as "insane," "delusional," "psychotic," "mentally ill," "schizophrenic," or in need of "therapy" or "help." Rather than engaging with arguments, the pathologizer diagnoses—turning disagreement into symptom, dissent into disease. This bias is epidemic in online discourse, where "touch grass," "seek help," and "you're clearly mentally ill" serve as conversation-enders that require no engagement with actual content. Pathologization bias allows its users to dismiss any challenge to their worldview as not merely wrong but sick—not error but pathology. The target is left defending their sanity rather than their argument, which is exactly the point.
Example: "She presented a well-reasoned critique of his political position. He responded with pathologization bias: 'You're clearly delusional. Have you tried therapy?' Her arguments went unaddressed, her logic unanswered, but now she was also questioning whether she was too invested. The bias had worked: she was defending her mental state instead of her position."
by Abzugal February 19, 2026
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