ekstreemsus
Ekstreemsus is a neologism used in contemporary social science to describe a pattern in which individuals or groups deliberately foreground extreme positions, actions, or identities to attract attention, signal group membership, and influence others. The term appears in discourse within media studies and sociology, particularly in analyses of online culture and public discourse. It is often treated as a descriptive lens rather than a prescriptive label.
Etymology and scope: ekstreemsus blends elements associated with extremity with a suffix that signals a state
Characteristics and mechanisms: ekstreemsus involves public signaling of outré or polarizing stances, rapid sharing and amplification
Contexts of use: the concept is employed to analyze online political debates, activist campaigns, and influencer-driven
Critique and limitations: scholars note that ekstreemsus risk over-attributing intentionality to participants and may underplay structural
See also: extremism, online polarization, performative activism, outrage culture.