What It Means
"Let that sink in" is a phrase used at the end of posts to imply the preceding statement is so profound or shocking that readers need time to process it. In practice, it's almost always attached to misleading statistics, rage-bait, or artificially "profound" observations.
Why It Works
The phrase does psychological work: it tells readers they should feel shocked or enlightened, even if the content doesn't warrant it. It also discourages critical thinking by framing the statement as self-evidently important.
Common Signals
- Appears after misleading or out-of-context statistics
- Used to add weight to mundane observations
- Often paired with political rage-bait
- Implies the reader should be outraged or amazed
How to Protect Yourself
Treat "let that sink in" as a red flag. When you see it, ask: Is this actually profound, or is the author telling me how to feel? Verify any statistics or claims before accepting them. The phrase is often a substitute for actual evidence.
Detect This Automatically
FeedFirewall scans your social media feeds in real-time, flagging content that matches this pattern before you engage.
Download Free Extension