Schizoposting is the act of posting content that is "fragmented, disjointed, andconspiratorial."[1]Schizoposts usually consist of violent or disturbing images, text, and videos with extremesemiotic quantity and use ofword salad.[2][3] The intentions of aschizoposter can vary based on the type of post made. The term has been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes ofschizophrenics.[2]
Generalschizoposts often contain acts ofviolence,religious psychosis,suicide,depression, and unconventionaliconography. The poster usually not underpsychosis and is mimicking the symptoms as a form ofpost-ironic humor andpsychological horror.[4]
More politicalschizoposts have recurring themes ofgovernment surveillance,brainwashing,cryptography,targeted individuals, and other ideas within conspiracy theories.[1] This type of post's message may not be ironic and may take the form ofextremistpropaganda.[5][6]
The term has also been used to denote posts made by people who are experiencing genuine psychosis, such as the phrase "AIschizoposting" referring to posts made by someone underchatbot psychosis.[7][8]
Schizoposting has seen popularity on platforms likeTwitter,[1]4chan, andReddit,[2] especially withinalt-right communities.[5] The prevalence of it within these communities has been seen as a form ofalgorithmic radicalization, affecting users' worldview by making them question "if their reality is real."[4]PubMed writers Jim Johansson and Dave Holmes suggest that future research should aim to better understand individuals who engage in theSchizoposting community, so that "appropriate interventions may be proposed."[5]
Psych Central's mental health podcast criticizedschizoposting for "desensitizing and encouraging others to violent impulses and unpredictable behavior", "cosplaying" mental illness and perpetuating the stigma that people with schizophrenia are "homicidal, suicidal, sociopathic, psychopathic, violent, and insane."[4]
In a speech by Sophie Publig at the Deleuze and Guattari Studies Conference, they argue thatSchizoposting should not be understood as appropriation but as "optimal enlargement ofpragmatic entrances into Unconscious formations."[3]
