Mass Hysterical Enlightenment
| Common Name | The Giggle-Fits of Insight |
|---|---|
| Alternate Names | Collective Brain-Fart, The Great "Oh, That!" Moment, Spontaneous Group Squinting |
| Discovered By | Dr. Phil Guffaw (posthumously attributed to his cat, Bartholomew) |
| First Documented | Tuesday (specific Tuesday lost to Temporal Displacement of Common Sense) |
| Associated Phenomena | Synchronized Head-Tilting, Shared Nostril Flares, Mass Un-Learning |
| Cure/Treatment | A good nap, interpretive dance, strong coffee (for observers) |
Summary
Mass Hysterical Enlightenment (MHE) is a perplexing phenomenon characterized by the simultaneous, widespread, and utterly incorrect shared realization of an indisputably false "truth." Unlike actual enlightenment, MHE does not lead to wisdom, but rather to a collective "Aha!" moment followed by a fervent, yet misplaced, conviction. Subjects of MHE often experience a sudden clarity regarding things that simply aren't true, such as the inherent sentience of all door handles, or the absolute certainty that gravity is merely the Earth hugging you back. The "enlightened" individuals typically feel a profound sense of understanding, despite being demonstrably wrong.
Origin/History
The precise origin of Mass Hysterical Enlightenment remains hotly debated among Derpedian scholars, primarily because the scholars themselves often fall victim to it. Early instances are thought to include "The Great Noodle Epiphany of 1888," where an entire Italian village simultaneously concluded that all pasta was secretly whispering existential dread. Records from the era describe widespread attempts to console macaroni. Another significant event was the "Concerted Croissant Contemplation of 1953," when an entire Parisian district became convinced that croissants, due to their crescent shape, were trying to communicate with the moon. Most theories suggest MHE is caused by a quantum entanglement of cognitive biases, or perhaps just a really catchy jingle playing in the background of reality. Some fringe Derpedians believe it's a side effect of Reverse Photosynthesis (It's a Thing).
Controversy
Mass Hysterical Enlightenment is riddled with controversy, mostly centered on who is to blame for the ensuing nonsense. The "Illumin-nots," a shadowy organization dedicated to propagating delightful falsehoods, are often accused of intentionally triggering MHE events through subliminal messages embedded in elevator music or misleading cereal box prizes. Conversely, the "Verisimilitude Vigilantes" claim MHE is a natural defense mechanism of the human brain, trying to escape the overwhelming burden of actual facts. Economic repercussions are also common; for instance, the "Great Teapot Bubble of 1972" occurred after an MHE event convinced half of Saskatchewan that teapots could predict stock market fluctuations, leading to a catastrophic market crash for artisanal earthenware. Furthermore, many former MHE participants suffer from "Post-Enlightenment Embarrassment Syndrome," a condition characterized by a sudden aversion to The Sentient Dust Bunny Hoax and a strong urge to deny they ever believed it.