critical critic 

A witty and at times offensive Salient pesudonym. Has something a cult following, and is infamous around Victoria University.

Critical Critic wouldn't put up with that shit, he'd be all over it.

critical critic by Harry B March 28, 2004

Critical Bias (Critical Thinking Bias)

The paradoxical and self-defeating mindset where the tools of critical thinking—skepticism, demand for evidence, logical analysis—are applied selectively, rigorously, and almost exclusively to opposing viewpoints or unfamiliar information, while one's own deeply-held beliefs are protected by a shield of unexamined assumptions and motivated reasoning. It is the bias of believing you are bias-free because you are "critical," mistaking aggressive debunking of others for genuine intellectual rigor. This creates a sophisticated echo chamber where the thinker feels intellectually superior because they can tear down every external argument, never turning that same destructive gaze inward.

Critical Bias (Critical Thinking Bias) Example: A climate change "skeptic" meticulously picks apart every minor uncertainty in a complex climate model, demanding impossible levels of proof. Yet, they uncritically accept a blog post from an oil-funded think tank as definitive truth. This is Critical Bias—wielding the scalpel of scrutiny only on the other side's evidence, while performing surgery with a butter knife on their own. They believe their skepticism makes them objective, when it's just a weaponized filter for confirmation.

Critical Bias (Critical Thinking Bias) by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026

Critical Legal Theory / Critical Law Theory

An interdisciplinary approach (often abbreviated as Crit) that argues law is not a neutral system of rational rules, but a social construct deeply intertwined with politics, ideology, and power. It seeks to "de-naturalize" law, showing how it legitimizes and perpetuates hierarchies of race, gender, class, and sexuality. The law is seen not as a solver of disputes, but as a site where political conflict is both expressed and masked.

Critical Legal Theory / Critical Law Theory Example: A Critical Legal Theory reading of property law wouldn't see it as a timeless defense of ownership. It would demonstrate how doctrines like "trespass" and "eminent domain" were historically forged to dispossess Indigenous peoples and concentrate wealth, arguing that the law's "neutral" principles encode a specific, contested vision of social order.

Critical Legal Theory / Critical Law Theory by Nammugal February 5, 2026

algorithmic critical mass

algorithmic critical mass — the Urban Dictionary principle that states: the more words you enter into the Urban Dictionary, the easier it is to add words to the Urban Dictionary.

This is especially true if you make the words you add refer to your previous words based on known linguistic principles. In this way the algorithm reflects aspects of your mind; and your mind becomes one with the algorithm as well.

There is something more frightening than artificial intelligence and that is computer intelligence that merges with the mind of humankind.

What happens when infinite computing power merges with the full potential of the brain. I don’t know because I waste my mind on adding Urban Dictionary entries instead of contemplating more weighty problems.

But you have got to admit that that is an awesome Afrofuturistic observation.

If you add enough word to the Urban Dictionary you will reach an algorithmic critical mass where the algorithm will reflect your mind; and, your mind will reflect the algorithm.

algorithmic critical mass by Mind Hunter the Profiler April 7, 2023

applied critical analysis 

Some new phrase PDEng administration decided to coin together in the hopes that the prospective students will consider the program a useful feature that teaches a complicated worded concept.

Widely confusing innocent students with its meaninglessness as no employer in the entire globe has never heard of the term.

A reason why U of Waterloo co-op rate is going downhill on a term-by-term basis, since companies regard its students as the new "Pennsylvania Dutch" who talk in their own "PDeng Speak." Now who's fault is that?

See Bukkake for details.

"wtf is applied critical analysis anyways? I googled it and the first result was PDEng. Think you're so innovative because you're inventing new phrases?"

applied critical analysis by olu olu can go fuck himself April 8, 2009

Not to be critical 

A phrase uttered after one has usually lambasted or insulted someones life or lifestlyle. This is pure sarcasam at its best, and if used properly makes the person feel confused, and unsure of what you just told them. The term always means you are actually being overly critical and are just trying to defuse a small amout of your criticism.

dude 1 : How did you like my new girl?

dude 2 : I knew her in high school she used to be a real slut.

dude 1 : What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

dude 2 : Not to be critical, just sayin.

dude 1 : oh, allright it"s cool.

dude 2 *shakes head in disbelief*

Not to be critical by TV CAR May 2, 2010

Critical Theory

A university department from which you can get a degree in being offended.

Person 1: Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?
Person 2: Hm?
P 1: I saw that, and I'm not going to take it quietly, for your information.
P 2: I'm sorry?
P 1: Yeah, I'll make you sorry. You looked at me. As a woman of size, I know that only means one thing - you're fat shaming me!
P 2: Uhhh... No, I...
P 1: Not only that, but I have problems with my hips because of my big, beautiful, healthy size, so you're also being a filthy ableist.
P 2: Huh? What's an ableist?
P 1: Look at you, standing there in all your white male heteronormativity, judging me silently with your eyes. I'll have you know that my great-great-grandmother on my father's side was half Cherokee.

P 2: Uh, that's cool...
P 1: No, that is not "cool". You don't get to tell me that's "cool" and fetishize me as an Indigenous person of color when you are a colonizing occupier on this, my sacred tribal land!!
P 2: Look, I think you are misunderstanding this whole thing...
P 1: "You"? "YOU"??? My pronouns most pointedly do not include the word "you"!! That is a form of gendered violence against me. And don't dare tell me it's not, because I have a Master's degree in Critical Theory and I'm wise to every single microaggression coming off of your hateful, oppressive person. Now get out of here before I call the police!
P 2. Okay, okay fine. Just finish making the latte I ordered and I'll take it to go.

Critical Theory by McMission Definition January 14, 2018