Are you spending hours scrolling mindlessly on social media platforms like Instagram reels and TikTok?
If you find yourself doing so, you might be experiencing what Oxford University Press has termed as its word of the year: brain rot.
It is a phrase that reflects concerns about the consequences of excessive consumption of low-quality online content, particularly on social media. Its usage has surged by 230% from 2023 to 2024.
Psychologist and Oxford University Professor Andrew Przybylski notes that the popularity of the term mirrors the current era we are living in.
Brain rot surpassed other contenders such as demure, Romantasy, and dynamic pricing on the dictionary publisher's list of potential words of the year.
Understanding Brain Rot
Brain rot is described as the perceived decline in an individual’s mental or intellectual faculties, often linked to overindulgence in material deemed trivial or unchallenging.
The term was first documented well before the internet era, originating in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau's book Walden. Thoreau criticized society for undervaluing profound ideas, attributing it to a general decline in mental and intellectual exertion.
He queried, "While England strives to cure the potato rot, will any effort be made to cure the brain-rot - which is much more widespread and devastating?"
Initially popularized among Gen Z and Gen Alpha cohorts on social media, brain rot has now entered mainstream vocabulary as a descriptor for inferior and low-value content found online.
Prof. Przybylski asserts that there is no concrete evidence supporting brain rot as an actual condition. Instead, it serves as a label for the discontentment we may feel in the digital realm, encapsulating our social media-related anxieties.
Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, reflects on the evolving nature of language over the past decades, highlighting society's increasing preoccupation with the transformation of virtual existence and the pervasive influence of internet culture on our conversations and identities.
He mentions that brain rot embodies a perceived peril of virtual existence and our utilization of leisure time in the digital sphere.
Other Contenders on the Shortlist
The shortlist for Oxford University Press's word of the year also included the following contenders:
- Demure (adj.): Reserved or restrained in behavior or appearance, not showy or revealing in clothing.
- Dynamic pricing (n.): Adjusting prices based on market conditions, especially charging higher prices during heightened demand.
- Lore (n.): Facts, background information, and anecdotes essential for comprehensive understanding or informed discussions.
- Romantasy (n.): A genre blending elements of romantic fiction and fantasy, often featuring magical or adventurous themes alongside a central romantic plotline.
- Slop (n.): Content produced using artificial intelligence, dispersed online without selectivity or authenticity, often marked by low quality or inaccuracy.
Other Words of the Year
Beyond Oxford University Press, other dictionaries have also chosen their words of the year. Cambridge Dictionary's winning word was "manifest," reflecting a trend of visualizing desired achievements to increase the likelihood of their realization.
Collins English Dictionary selected "brat" as its word of the year, encapsulating an attitude of confidence, independence, and hedonism. Dictionary.com chose "demure" following an online trend highlighting demure work attire and mindful makeup.
These words of the year reflect evolving linguistic trends stemming from various societal phenomena across different platforms and communities.
What Happens To Your Brain When You Mindlessly Scroll?
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