An academic theory that tries to explain society not by its core values, but by the perceived value of the last, most optional bit of social interaction (the marginal social unit). It asks: does adding one more rule, expectation, or person to a group increase cohesion or just become coercive? The theory suggests that social pressure, like a product, has diminishing returns. The first few norms that keep us from chaos are high-value, but the 100th nitpicky rule about how you must behave is often low-value and purely coercive, creating resentment instead of unity.
Social Marginalism Example: In a tight-knit neighborhood, the first few social expectations (e.g., bring in a neighbor's trash can, wave hello) have high marginal utility—they build trust. But when the neighborhood association starts mandating the exact shade of beige for your curtains and fining you for not attending every block party, that last social unit has low utility. It crosses from cohesion into coercion, making people want to move away. Social marginalism analyzes that breaking point.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 7, 2026
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Font and Margin games turned my 5 page paper into a 6 page paper.
Billy got a little overzealous with font and margin games; His professor noticed and gave him a zero.
Billy got a little overzealous with font and margin games; His professor noticed and gave him a zero.
by area69 March 1, 2020
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Based on the writer Margaret Cribere, who was known for her P.O box where she accepted fan-mail from reader's telling their own wild stories. She lost credibility in her work later in her career and was defamed.
Based on the writer Margaret Cribere, who was known for her P.O box where she accepted fan-mail from reader's telling their own wild stories. She lost credibility in her work later in her career and was defamed.
Person 1: And then I fell off the cliff and lived!
Person 2: Yeah right, why don't you Write to Marge.
Person 2: Yeah right, why don't you Write to Marge.
by Marrco-Pollo July 24, 2025
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Get the Mr. Magenta mug.some random black dude that speaks english with a very strong french accent, and appears out of nowhere when you break a rule. If you break a rule in front of him he drags you to the shadow realm.
"Dude this is so shit"
Mr. Marden: "What did you just say? I'm banishing you to the shadow realm."
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Mr. Marden: "What did you just say? I'm banishing you to the shadow realm."
"NOOOOOOOOOO"
by bmards May 7, 2024
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