Psychology of Crowd Control

The study of how physically assembled groups are managed, directed, or dispersed—by police, organizers, or emergent crowd dynamics. Crowd control psychology examines what makes crowds peaceful or violent, how to prevent panic, how to facilitate safe gatherings, and how authorities can maintain order without provoking resistance. It's a practical field with life-and-death implications: poor crowd control kills. The psychology involves understanding crowd emotions, communication patterns, and the triggers that turn assembly into chaos. It also involves the ethics of control—how much force is justified, when dispersal becomes oppression, how to balance safety and freedom.

Psychology of Crowd Control Example: "The protest organizers studied crowd control psychology, positioning marshals throughout the crowd to de-escalate tensions, communicating constantly with participants, coordinating with police to maintain safe boundaries. The march was massive but peaceful—not by accident but by design. Crowd control psychology had worked: the crowd was managed without being oppressed."

Psychology of Crowd Control by Dumu The Void February 16, 2026

Psychology of Crowd Control Systems

The study of the institutions, technologies, and practices that societies develop to manage physical assemblies—police tactics, legal frameworks, communication systems, physical barriers. These systems evolve in response to crowd behavior, technological change, and political pressures. The psychology of crowd control systems examines how these systems are perceived by crowds, how they shape crowd behavior, and how they can themselves become triggers for conflict. A system designed to control crowds can create the very violence it's meant to prevent if it's perceived as oppressive. The psychology is about the interaction between controllers and controlled, each responding to the other in an ongoing dance of power and resistance.

Psychology of Crowd Control Systems Example: "He analyzed the crowd control system at major events—the barriers channeling movement, the police positioned at choke points, the cameras monitoring everything, the communication protocols for emergencies. The system was designed to be invisible when working, visible only when failing. When it worked, no one noticed. That was the point."

Psychology of Crowd Control Systems by Dumu The Void February 16, 2026

sans sheriff 

Lawless use of fonts or typography, with no regard to aesthetics or legibility

I'm putting this CV straight in the bin. Written totally sans sheriff.

sans sheriff by Jamarley July 3, 2019

Breadhead 

Someone who is addicted to obtaining money and building wealth. A money addict and fanatic. Breadheads often work more than one full-time job, and some even participate in illicit activities to "obtain the bread".

A breadhead is like a crackhead, but for money instead of crack.

Breadhead by 🅱️ U S 3 4 8 March 30, 2022

Stink lines

As seen in illustrations or cartoons: Wavy, vertical lines rising above a person, place or thing. Denotes a foul odor.

"You didn't put enough stink lines on your picture of the teacher."

Stink lines by Athene Airheart March 14, 2004

schmegegge 

Yiddish slang word meaning bullshit, baloney, hogwash, nonsense, crock of shit or hot air.

I don't buy the schmegegge about Morty sleeping with Moira.
His version of the story was pure schmegegge.
The whole schmegegge was made up to get Liz a little bit of attention.

schmegegge by budsbabe February 1, 2008

eye bleach 

Looking or experiencing something nice after witnessing something horrid like a disgusting gif or a disturbing video. Typically used as eye bleach are nice images of whatever makes the disturbed person happy.

"Bleach my eyes! Why is that woman's face ripped off!?"
*Looks up images of puppies and kittens.*
"That's good eye bleach."

eye bleach by Rini2012 November 29, 2016