Discharge of static electricity which can potentially damage sensitive electronics
Electrostatic charge can build up on a human. When discharged on sensitive electronic components, e.g. when opening a computer, this can potentially damage the hardware, even if too weak to be felt.
Charge can be dissipated by grounding oneself, by using an anti-static wrist strap or periodically touching grounded metal.
Compare electric-shock, which is when malfunctioning hardware shocks the human.
