dehumanizer
Makes people objects
A dehumanizer is a person or thing that strips others of their humanity—treating them as objects, animals, or abstractions rather than as people.
Propaganda that reduces enemies to vermin is a dehumanizer.
So is a system that assigns numbers instead of names: The prison functioned as an efficient dehumanizer.
The term often appears in discussions of genocide, slavery, and institutional abuse.
Viewing as fundamentally different
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
slur · epithet · caricature · propaganda · bigotry · prejudice · xenophobia · racism
Oppressive, absolute governance
- subjugationForcing into submission
- enslavementForced human ownership
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
- authoritarianismConcentrated, unchecked governmental power
despotism · domination · persecution · exploitation · colonialism · genocide · apartheid · slavery
Deliberate infliction of suffering
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- whipStrikes or aerates
- waterboardSuffocation torture technique
- guillotineVertical beheading apparatus
gallows · stocks · pillory · dungeon · muzzle · chains · cage · straitjacket
Systematic observation of subjects
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- biometricsBody-based identity verification
- data-miningExtracting patterns from datasets
- deepfakeAI-manipulated video mimicry
othering
Viewing as fundamentally different
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
denigration · slur · epithet · caricature · propaganda · bigotry · prejudice · xenophobia · racism · antisemitism
tyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
- subjugationForcing into submission
- enslavementForced human ownership
- totalitarianismState controls everything absolutely
authoritarianism · despotism · domination · persecution · exploitation · colonialism · genocide · apartheid · slavery · atrocity
torture
Deliberate infliction of suffering
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- whipStrikes or aerates
- waterboardSuffocation torture technique
guillotine · gallows · stocks · pillory · dungeon · muzzle · chains · cage · straitjacket · hood
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- biometricsBody-based identity verification
- data-miningExtracting patterns from datasets
deepfake · tracking · profiling · depersonalization · bot
- abusersabuser, batterer, beater, brutalizer, bully