This year's Oxford Word Of The Year is 'brain rot', a term first introduced by Henry Thoreau in 1854 to describe the deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state due to overconsumption of low-quality content. This theme has been particularly prevalent on TikTok, where younger generations have created and consumed content that contributes to brain rot. The concept is ironic as it was popularized by the same communities responsible for creating this type of content.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-14226117/Dictionary-Corner-year-brat-demure-delulu-succumbed-brain-rot.htmlOxford University Press has named "brain rot" as its Word of the Year for 2024, highlighting growing concerns about the negative effects of excessive social media use and the proliferation of low-quality online content. The term is thought to capture the idea that prolonged exposure to such content can lead to a decline in mental acuity and critical thinking skills.
The Oxford University Press has declared "brain rot" as the Word of the Year for 2024, highlighting growing concerns about the impact of excessive consumption of trivial content on social media on mental well-being. Psychologist Daphne Clarance shares her concerns that this phenomenon affects both children and adults, leading to a decline in mental abilities due to the constant exposure to low-quality online content. The term "brain rot" suggests that excessive scrolling through social media leaves little room for better brain health, contributing to a range of negative effects on mental well-being.
https://indiatoday.in/health/story/brain-rot-is-oxford-word-of-the-year-leads-to-reduced-attention-span-2645998-2024-12-07The younger generations, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and low self-esteem due to their constant exposure to screens from a young age. According to Peer, this is because their brains are still developing and are being trained to avoid deep thinking as they spend more time on devices. This can lead to habits such as doomscrolling, social comparison, and isolation, which further exacerbate these issues.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/long-reads/from-straight-a-student-to-digital-addict-how-alarming-rise-of-brain-rot-is-rewiring-young-mindThe term "brain rot" has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary with a definition that describes it as the deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state due to excessive consumption of trivial or unchallenging content, particularly online. The concept is not new, having first appeared in Henry David Thoreau's 1854 book "Walden", where he lamented the spread of "brain-rot" among people. However, its current usage is linked to the proliferation of low-quality content on social media and the negative effects it has on individuals who spend excessive time consuming it. According to Oxford Languages, the term's usage grew significantly over the summer and peaked in September.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brain-rot-the-scourge-of-the-chronically-online-becomes-oxfords-2024-word-of-year-180985560/