outragebased
Outragebased is an adjective describing content designed to provoke strong emotional reactions, especially anger or moral outrage, to attract attention, boost engagement, or sway opinions. It is discussed in relation to the online information ecosystem and the attention economy, where provocative framing often gains amplification.
Origin and use: The term has appeared in media studies and political communication since the 2010s to
Mechanisms: Outrage-based content relies on emotional arousal, moral signaling, and novelty. Algorithms that reward engagement can
Effects: These tactics can yield rapid visibility and mobilization but may distort public debate, spread misinformation,
Examples and practices: Provocative headlines, controversial claims, performative activism, and outrage memes are common forms. In
Criticism and responses: Critics argue that outrage-based content treats audiences as means to an outcome and
See also: clickbait, sensationalism, misinformation, outrage economy, political communication.