Oxford University names ‘Brain Rot’ as word of the year 2024
Oxford University Press (OUP), one of the largest academic publishers globally, has chosen “brain rot” as its Word of the Year. The term refers to the deterioration of mental state caused by excessive consumption of online content on social media.
OUP stated that “brain rot” was selected as Word of the Year through an extensive public survey and linguistic analysis by the Oxford Encyclopedia team. Around 37,000 people participated in the survey.
Competing words in the survey included “sobriety,” “monotony,” “dynamic pricing,” “romantic,” and “legacy.” However, “brain rot” outpaced the other contenders to claim the title of Word of the Year.
The term is defined as the “deterioration or decline of an individual’s mental or cognitive state, especially as a result of consuming excessive, low-value, trivial, or unstimulating content online.”
“Brain rot” directly highlights the growing issue of social media addiction, where users mindlessly scroll through endless streams of content during their free time, leading to mental exhaustion and deterioration.
Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, explained, “The term ‘brain rot’ in its modern sense points to the potential risks of virtual life and its impact on how we spend our leisure time.” He added, “This term marks a new chapter in the cultural conversation about the relationship between humanity and technology.”
The New York Post, citing Dr. Kyra Bobinet, a neuroscientist, reported that “brain rot” is becoming increasingly prevalent. According to Dr. Bobinet, the phenomenon is linked to issues like “difficulty concentrating,” “a loneliness epidemic,” and “avoiding deep work.”
The choice of “brain rot” as Word of the Year underscores growing concerns about the psychological and societal effects of excessive online activity. By bringing attention to this term, Oxford University Press highlights the urgent need for individuals and communities to rethink their digital habits and prioritize mental well-being in an increasingly virtual world.
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