Drip

{{politics}}A '''drip''' is a term used in [[Australia|Australian]] political circles to describe a specific type of [[Twitter]] user. They generally identify themselves with a water drop icon in their name or description. These users will self-describe as being "[[Political spectrum#Leftism|Left-wing]]" but in reality are [[Political spectrum#Centrism|Centrists]] at best. They tend to be white, of the [[Demographics|Baby Boomer]] generation, living in inner urban areas, and middle-class.<ref>Bouris, C. ''Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head'', https://catherinebouris.medium.com/raindrops-keep-falling-on-my-head-5e8a0af63b5</ref>

The overarching common characteristic of Drips is their unquestioning belief in their own status and political ideology. They despise the right-wing [[Liberal Party of Australia]] and [[Rupert Murdoch]]-controlled [[Media|media]], but also dish out similar vitriol to those of the political left such as the [[Australian Greens]]. Drips will defend the supposedly centre-left [[Australian Labor Party]] for almost anything. The reason for this appears to be because of their age. Being Baby Boomers (mostly), they grew up at a time when the Labor Party were a genuinely progressive force in Australian politics. But after decades of [[Neoliberalism]], the Labor Party too have been drawn back to at least the centre-right of the spectrum in their actions, even if in name they may be "left wing". Drips do not realise or accept this progression and [[Confirmation bias|will excuse or ignore anything that does not fit into their pre-conceived notions of what the Labor Party is or should be]].

They also posses an incredible ability to adopt a [[Persecution complex]] — even though they are some of the most privileged people in one of the most privileged countries in the most privileged generation in human history.

Finally, they are adept at using [[cancel culture]] (of the [[Cancel culture#Mark Fisher|Mark Fisher]] definition) in attempts to silence critics - particularly progressives and those of the left who, in another world, should be their allies on many key issues. Instead, any perceived tiny slip up — such as using the word "young" in a tweet — will trigger the visceral condemnation of hundreds of Drip accounts. This usually escalates into ever-increasing levels of outrage, harassment and abuse<ref>Nauseam, A. https://twitter.com/NauseamAdz/status/1500565124129513473</ref> (of the kind that they would vigorously condemn if directed the other way around).

Be careful. Even [https://twitter.com/anthony_klan/status/1121222525550129152 asking the question about who Drips are] will result in a pile on!

==History==
The term 'Drip' originates from the tendency of these users to include the raindrop emoji in their username. This began as a coordinated campaign in 2019 following a political scandal involving the Federal Minister for Energy, Angus Taylor (of "[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-48119878 Well Done Angus]" fame).<ref>Davies, A. ''Angus Taylor says he did not set up Caymans structure on $80m water buyback''. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/02/angus-taylor-says-he-did-not-set-up-caymans-structure-on-80m-water-buyback</ref>

===Coronavirus pandemic===
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] drips turned their attention to public health. After a short period of confusion, they were eventually rallied into supporting absolutely every type of lockdown, regardless of its efficacy.

Eventually this has begun to spiral downwards further into conspiracy theories - some even going so far as to suggest that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was bad because it would distract attention from the Pandemic (or even that it was done deliberately).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220224221936/https://twitter.com/AndrewHayen/status/1496972910115778566/ Andrew Haden] on [[Twitter]], 24 february 2022.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Internet culture]]

Categories: Australia, Internet culture