In a world dominated by endless scrolling through Instagram Reels and TikTok videos, the term “brain rot” has emerged as Oxford University Press’s Word of the Year, reflecting growing concerns over the effects of excessive consumption of low-quality content online. The term, which captures the mental deterioration some feel from overindulging in trivial or unchallenging material, saw a dramatic 230% increase in usage from 2023 to 2024.
Psychologist and Oxford University Professor Andrew Przybylski explains that the rise in popularity of the term is a “symptom of the time we’re living in.” As social media continues to flood users with short, often mindless content, “brain rot” has become a catch-all phrase to describe the sense of dissatisfaction many feel with the digital landscape. It reflects our collective anxiety around the kind of content that dominates our screens and the potential toll it takes on our mental well-being.
What is Brain Rot?
“Brain rot” is defined as the supposed deterioration of one’s intellectual or mental state, often attributed to the overconsumption of content that is seen as trivial or lacking depth. While the term’s origins date back to 1854 in Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden, where Thoreau criticized society’s tendency to devalue complex ideas, it has taken on new relevance in today’s digital age.
In his book, Thoreau pondered, “While England endeavours to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot – which prevails so much more widely and fatally?” His criticism about society’s intellectual decline now resonates with modern concerns about the impact of low-value online content.
From Social Media to Mainstream Use
Initially popularized by younger generations, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha, “brain rot” was embraced to describe the overwhelming flood of low-quality content on social media. Today, it has become mainstream, used to voice frustrations over the growing presence of superficial and unchallenging material.
Prof Przybylski points out, however, that while the term resonates with many, there is no evidence of “brain rot” being a diagnosable condition. Rather, the term speaks to the deeper dissatisfaction many people feel about the content they consume. “It describes our dissatisfaction with the online world,” he explains, offering a way for people to express their anxieties about the impact of social media on their mental states.
Other Shortlisted Words
Alongside “brain rot,” Oxford’s shortlist for Word of the Year also included several other interesting terms that reflect the shifting cultural and linguistic landscape. These include:
- Demure (adj.): Describing a person who is reserved or restrained in appearance or behavior, or clothing that is modest or not overly revealing.
- Dynamic Pricing (n.): The practice of adjusting prices based on market demand, often seen in industries like travel and retail.
- Lore (n.): A body of knowledge or stories relating to a subject, often associated with fictional worlds or historical narratives.
- Romantasy (n.): A genre blending romance and fantasy, typically involving supernatural themes alongside a romantic plotline.
- Slop (n.): Content generated using artificial intelligence and disseminated online, often criticized for its low quality or lack of authenticity.
The Growing Influence of Online Communities
Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, noted that the words chosen over the years reveal society’s growing concern about the impact of the digital world on our lives. “Brain rot,” in particular, underscores one of the perceived dangers of virtual life: how we spend our free time consuming content that may not be enriching.
This theme is evident in other dictionary publishers’ Word of the Year selections. For instance, Cambridge Dictionary’s choice, “manifest,” reflects the rise of a global wellness trend, and Collins English Dictionary’s “brat” has become a cultural movement, especially among younger generations, influenced by internet personalities and trends.
A Snapshot of Our Times
The selection of “brain rot” as Oxford’s Word of the Year is a reflection of the growing concerns around digital media consumption and its impact on society. As more people begin to acknowledge the effects of excessive, low-value content on social media, terms like “brain rot” provide a lens through which we can examine our relationship with the online world. It highlights a collective anxiety about the ways in which virtual lives are increasingly shaping our real-world identities and mental states.
Whether or not “brain rot” is a real condition, it undeniably captures the sentiment of many who feel overwhelmed by the flood of trivial content and the growing influence of internet culture on our lives.