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Purity Spiral
A social ratchet effect within a community. A process of moral outbidding, unchecked, which corrodes the group from within, rewarding those who put themselves at the extremes, and punishing nuance relentlessly.
Not to be confused with 'virtue signalling', 'woke culture', or 'online mobs'.
A purity spiral can contain all of these things, but it is defined by the fact that it takes place in a defined community or society, where being purer-than-thou is always being rewarded, and holding a divergent, 'less pure' opinion is normally punished, a dynamic which leads to an inevitable escalation as only the most extreme can 'win'.
Could be anything, from Mao's Red Guard, to Neo-Nazis, to The Crucible, to Instagram knitting.
Not to be confused with 'virtue signalling', 'woke culture', or 'online mobs'.
A purity spiral can contain all of these things, but it is defined by the fact that it takes place in a defined community or society, where being purer-than-thou is always being rewarded, and holding a divergent, 'less pure' opinion is normally punished, a dynamic which leads to an inevitable escalation as only the most extreme can 'win'.
Could be anything, from Mao's Red Guard, to Neo-Nazis, to The Crucible, to Instagram knitting.
After Louise denounced Nike as bourgeois, the village fell into a purity spiral where first Nikes, then all sneakers, then all shoes, and later, socks, were burnt on a pyre by the villagers.
Foot amputations followed in the Spring.
Foot amputations followed in the Spring.
Purity Spiral by pizzleswizzle January 30, 2020
myspace spiral
A situation in which one
intends on viewing a single profile
on myspace but views that individuals
intriguing friends,
which forces one to investigate said profiles
until one forgets where they
started in the first place.
~O-O~
intends on viewing a single profile
on myspace but views that individuals
intriguing friends,
which forces one to investigate said profiles
until one forgets where they
started in the first place.
~O-O~
myspace spiral by the marquis February 4, 2007
Sourabh
A nice guy,who respect the feelings of girls, good looking personality,
charming,smart. Wise enough to overcome every situation.
charming,smart. Wise enough to overcome every situation.
Sourabh by Stalinsmith June 3, 2019
swing on the spiral
Phrase used in the Tool song Lateralus.
Contrary to the common interpretation that it is meant in the general context for people to "keep going" in and through their life, it is really meant to mean seeking and experiencing the infinite depths of divinity within our own mind and consciousness without the fear of losing ones humanity. Spiral out and experience divinity while we are still human and alive.
Contrary to the common interpretation that it is meant in the general context for people to "keep going" in and through their life, it is really meant to mean seeking and experiencing the infinite depths of divinity within our own mind and consciousness without the fear of losing ones humanity. Spiral out and experience divinity while we are still human and alive.
swing on the spiral by jay227 February 22, 2012
Spiraling
A simplified way to describe a fast-declining mental/emotional state, often leading to short-term bouts of depression or anxiety.
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Oblication
So Joe where are you taking the kids for spring break vacation? We are going on an oblication to Boca to visit my mother-in-law.
Oblication by kimmerr May 5, 2011
Word of the Day on October 25, 2026
Surf Dracula Syndrome
A phenomenon in film/television series, most notably streaming series, where the main premise is drawn out to such a point that it takes an entire season or more to get the parts of the series the audience is actually interested in seeing.
For example, if a series is titled "Surf Dracula," a majority of viewers would tune in expecting to see Dracula surfing by the first or second episode. However, the entire first season would instead be tedious padding and backstory before finally ending with Dracula surfing in the last five minutes of the season finale.
For example, if a series is titled "Surf Dracula," a majority of viewers would tune in expecting to see Dracula surfing by the first or second episode. However, the entire first season would instead be tedious padding and backstory before finally ending with Dracula surfing in the last five minutes of the season finale.
I watched "Smallville" on Netflix the other day. Dude, it was ten seasons of filler before he finally flew! Major Surf Dracula Syndrome!
Surf Dracula Syndrome by AOmundson June 18, 2023
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Finding your way back to the truth by fixing on one verified fact and working out from there, the way you navigate by the North Star when everything around you is spinning.
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Word of the Day on October 23, 2026
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Palmela Handerson
Your hand that you masturbate with.
Girlfriend: What are you going to do for the next week while I'm on holiday?
Boyfriend: Have a visit from Palmela Handerson of course!
Boyfriend: Have a visit from Palmela Handerson of course!
Palmela Handerson by One eyed wombat June 13, 2018
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