The Unsharp Mask

a mirror with a reflection of a person

The Unsharp Mask

n.
the tendency for social networks to magnify unexpected personality traits of people you know, a consequence of compressing someone’s raw persona into a low-res digital format, which can randomly brighten their outer glow, sharpen their comic edges, darken their shadows, or add motion blur to a stationary life.

In digital photo processing, unsharp mask is a filter that combines the original negative with a blurred positive image. The resulting image may look sharper but is actually a less accurate interpretation of the subject.

Nullness

Cover image for the Nullness word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Amuse-Douche

Cover image for the Amuse-Douche word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Momophobia

Cover image for the Momophobia word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Anaphasia

Cover image for the Anaphasia word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Burn Upon Reentry

Cover image for the Burn Upon Reentry word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Adronitis

Cover image for the Adronitis word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Hemeisis

Cover image for the Hemeisis word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Mimeomia

a person wearing an animal onesie garment

Hobsmacked

Cover image for the Hobsmacked word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Poggled

a person studying a book with a magnifying glass

Hailbound

Cover image for the Hailbound word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Querinous

Cover image for the Querinous word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Falesia

Cover image for the Falesia word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Desanté

Cover image for the Desanté word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Zysia

a kite soaring above an empty landscape

Daguerreologue

Daguer-reologue

a man sitting in blurred silhouette at a desk

Etherness

Cover image for the Etherness word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Mogging Folly

a person sitting on a bench

Offtides

close-up of a chromed metal object

Addleworth

Cover image for the Addleworth word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows