What is Brain Rot? Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2024

‘Brain rot’, Oxford University’s Word of the Year for 2024, refers to the decline in an individual’s mental or intellectual abilities due to excessive consumption of low-quality online content, especially trivial or unchallenging content. The term is particularly popular among younger generations such as Generation Z and Alpha as a way of expressing concerns about the negative impact of digital media on cognitive health and well-being.

Definition and etymology

The term “brain rot” is defined as the deterioration of a person’s mind due to overindulgence in trivial matters. It reflects a growing concern that continued exposure to low-value online content may lead to cognitive decline, poor concentration, and poor mental functioning. The term first appeared in Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book Walden, which criticized society for ignoring complex ideas.

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symptoms and effects

Brain rot victims may describe some symptoms, including:

Poor thinking: Lack of concentration and understanding of information.

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Short attention span: Difficulty concentrating for long periods of time or fully understanding what you are reading.

Mental exhaustion: Consuming too much information can be overwhelming and lead to procrastination and forgetfulness.

Brain rot can also occur in doomscrolling, where individuals tend to constantly search for depressing news, and zombie scrolling, which is an endless browsing behavior where individuals read with little concentration.

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health effects

While it primarily affects the cognitive level, brain rot can also have emotional effects. Prolonged exposure to meaningless online content can lead to feelings of numbness, tension, and depression. Because the brain is flooded with information, overstimulation with tons of notifications and shallow interactions fails to retain meaningful information and connections.

Coping with brain rot

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Some measures recommended to mitigate the effects of brain rot include:

Limit screen time: Reduce the time you spend on social media and other digital platforms.

Engage in meaningful activities: Pursue hobbies that stimulate cognitive engagement, such as reading or creative pursuits.

Mindfulness practices: Techniques that increase awareness and focus can help counteract the effects of excessive digital consumption.

As society continues to advance in the digital realm, understanding and addressing brain rot is critical to maintaining mental health and cognitive function.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion