Brigading Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ข
brigading
[brษชหษกeษชdษชล ]
Definition
online harassment
Brigading refers to the organized action taken by a group of individuals to swarm or attack another group, commonly seen on social media platforms or online forums. This tactic often involves directing a large number of users to disrupt discussions, downvote comments, or harass individuals. It is frequently used in political discourse or community disagreements, where one group seeks to dominate the conversation or silence opposing views. The term comes from the idea of a brigade, which is a military unit organized for a specific task, emphasizing the coordinated nature of this activity.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The subreddit faced brigading after the controversial article was published.
- Users reported instances of brigading on the forum during the heated debate.
- She was a target of brigading following her critical post on social media.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- In recent years, various online communities have used brigading to create viral social media campaigns, impacting political agendas.
- Some video game communities engage in brigading to influence game developersโ decisions or make changes to games they love.
- The term gained prominence during events like the Gamergate controversy, where organized online harassment campaigns were executed.
Psychology
- Group dynamics play a significant role in brigading, as individuals often feel empowered by collective action.
- The phenomenon can be driven by the desire for social belonging or to affect change regarding shared beliefs.
- Psychologically, individuals may act more aggressively in groups, feeling a sense of anonymity that emboldens behavior.
Technology
- Social media algorithms can amplify brigading efforts, making the group's influence appear larger than it truly is.
- Platforms like Twitter and Reddit have specific terms of service to counteract harmful brigading behavior.
- Bot accounts are frequently used in brigading to create an illusion of widespread support or opposition in discussions.
Politics
- Brigading has become a tool in political activism, where groups mobilize to shift public opinion or disrupt conversations.
- Historical examples of coordinated online actions can be seen during election cycles, where voters form brigades to support candidates.
- Political brigading can lead to significant backlash, causing platforms to implement stricter monitoring of such activities.
Origin of 'brigading'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'brigading' likely originated from the military word 'brigade,' describing a group of soldiers forming a unit.
- In online contexts, it has evolved to describe groups acting together, particularly on social media platforms.
- The concept of coordinated action dates back to earlier forms of activism and protest, well before the internet age.
The term 'brigading' derives from the word 'brigade,' which signifies a military unit comprised of multiple companies or soldiers working together to achieve a common goal. Historically, a brigade would be organized to confront opponents in battle or to execute strategic operations. The transition of this concept to the online space occurred with the rise of the internet and digital communities, where groups of users could coordinate their efforts to influence conversations or opinions. In this context, brigading has evolved into a phenomenon where individuals leverage social media's reach and connectivity to enforce collective action, often with the aim of undermining dissent or amplifying a particular viewpoint. The rapid growth of such tactics can be linked to the increasing polarization of online discourse, leading to instances of online harassment and echo chambers.