Definition: The sudden, paralyzing freeze that hits you when an online blackmailer, hacker, or stalker drops your exact personal details—like your full name, address, or browsing history—into a DM. You’re not coding; you’re coiled tight like a snake facing a predator, unable to move or breathe.
Named after the constricting snake, it describes that visceral moment of digital exposure where your blood runs cold and your fingers hover uselessly over the keyboard. Getting a “Hi [Your Full Real Name]” from a stranger with intimate knowledge? Total Python mode.
Example: Opening the DM to see “Hello Sarah Miller, enjoying your vacation photos from Bali?” triggered instant Python mode; I couldn’t even type a reply.
Seeing my exact home address typed by the anonymous account sent me into Python mode, fingers frozen over the keys in pure dread.