stochastic terrorism

American  

[stuh-kas-tik ter-uh-riz-uhm] / stəˈkæs tɪk ˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.

   The lone-wolf attack was apparently influenced by the rhetoric of stochastic terrorism.

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Etymology

Origin of stochastic terrorism

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

As you’ve probably heard by now, this all-too-familiar tactic is called “stochastic terrorism,” a term often deployed over the past few years by Salon's Chauncey DeVega, among others:

From Salon

At its core, stochastic terrorism exploits one of our strongest and most complicated emotions: disgust.

From Scientific American

Stochastic terrorism is defined as violence committed by an attacker who, though acting on personal volition, is inspired by language demonizing the target.

From New York Times

But such a view misses the point of how stochastic terrorism works, scholars have argued.

From New York Times

For stochastic terrorism and other commands to violence to achieve maximum impact, they must be repeated and reinforced by various sources in an echo chamber effect.

From Salon