Sunday Reading: Exploring the Words of the Year 2024 | Brain Rot and Manifest:
Hello Everyone,😊
This blog is part of the Sunday Reading Task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. In this blog, I am reflecting on the Words of the Year chosen by two major dictionaries: Oxford and Cambridge.
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Introduction:
Every year, dictionaries like Oxford and Cambridge pick a "Word of the Year" to show the biggest changes in culture, society, and language. For 2024, Oxford chose "Brain Rot," and Cambridge picked "Manifest." Though these words may seem different, they both reflect important parts of our modern lives. "Brain Rot" highlights concerns about the mental health effects of consuming too much low-quality online content, while "Manifest" is about the rise of self-help culture and the belief that visualizing goals can make them real.
In this blog, I’ll explore the meanings of these words, their cultural impact, and how they connect with the way we live today. By looking at these words, we can better understand how language reflects changes in society.
Oxford Word of the Year: "Brain Rot"
The Oxford Word of the Year for 2024, “brain rot,” sheds light on a growing concern in today’s digital age. Chosen after a public vote and expert analysis, the term captures a significant societal issue: the impact of consuming excessive low-quality online content on mental and intellectual well-being.
Meaning and Context:
Definition of "Brain Rot":
According to Oxford Dictionary, ‘Brain rot’ is defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration”.
The term "Brain Rot" is defined as the mental or intellectual decline caused by consuming excessive low-quality online content. It encompasses both the content itself and the negative impact it can have on an individual's cognitive abilities. The term "Brain Rot" originated from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden (1854), where it was used metaphorically to describe society’s intellectual decline due to a lack of deep thinking. Today, it has taken on a new life in online culture, referring to the deterioration of mental or intellectual capacities caused by the overconsumption of trivial digital content.
On platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, this content includes absurd memes, short videos, and niche slang such as #skibidi, #ohio, and #sigma. Pages like Brain Rot Indian and Brainrot Memes thrive by posting seemingly meaningless yet addictive content that forms what could be called an online "brain rot community." While entertaining, this endless stream of low-quality material often distracts users, leading to issues like reduced focus, laziness, and wasted time. A growing concern, "Brain Rot" saw a 230% increase in usage between 2023 and 2024. It highlights the challenges of information overload and the decline of critical thinking in a world dominated by digital distractions.
Cultural and Societal Significance
The selection of "Brain Rot" as Word of the Year highlights the profound impact of digital media on our cognitive functions and social behaviors. Social media has been criticized for shortening attention spans and diminishing memory retention. Viral trends like Alexey Gerasimov's Skibidi Toilet series and the "only in Ohio" memes epitomize the type of trivial content associated with this phenomenon. Interestingly, younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, have adopted the term both humorously and critically. By coining and amplifying "Brain Rot", they display a unique self-awareness about the platforms they actively use. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl noted that this term reflects a broader societal dialogue about how virtual lives influence mental health and how we choose to spend our time.
Beyond humor, "Brain Rot" sparks serious conversations about the negative effects of excessive screen time, including anxiety, distraction, and emotional detachment. It serves as a wake-up call to reconsider our digital consumption habits and focus on healthier ways to engage with technology.
Personal Reflection
At first, I didn’t know the term "Brain Rot", but when I came across its meaning, I realized I had already experienced and observed it. I often find myself watching short videos and memes on social media that are initially entertaining but leave me feeling mentally drained afterward. Sometimes, I start watching a video that seems interesting at first, maybe a story or DIY idea, but after a minute, I realize it lacks any real value or useful information, and I’ve just wasted my time.
What concerns me even more is the growing exposure of kids and teens to this kind of meaningless content. Many of the videos they watch, where creators do trivial things, gain millions of views and likes. The number of content creators producing such material is increasing rapidly, and it worries me because this kind of content is leading to the decay of intellectual abilities. I can see how it’s affecting kids and teens around me, making them more distracted and disconnected from valuable, meaningful activities.
Cambridge Word of the Year: "Manifest"
Meaning and Context
Definition:
"Manifest" is defined as the act of imagining goals and desires with the belief that visualizing them can help bring them into reality. This concept originates from a 100-year-old spiritual philosophy movement but has been popularized by the self-help culture and social media. In 2024, the word became widely used, particularly on platforms like TikTok, where hashtags such as #manifest gained significant traction. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Gabby Thomas, and Ollie Watkins further boosted its visibility.
Rise in Popularity:
The term saw a sharp increase in usage during the pandemic when people sought control over uncertain situations. Its popularity has since grown, reflecting a collective desire for self-improvement and optimism. Despite its appeal, the concept of manifesting is often criticized as pseudoscience, aligning more with the broader self-help movement than with evidence-based practices.
Expert Warnings:
Psychologists warn that manifesting is a form of "magical thinking," where individuals believe mental rituals can directly alter reality. Techniques like the "3-6-9 method," which involve repetitive writing of wishes, are criticized for fostering obsessive behaviors without measurable benefits. Unrealistic expectations stemming from manifestation can lead to disappointment, especially when applied to serious issues like health or financial success.
Cultural and Societal Significance of "Manifest"
Manifestation has become popular, especially through social media and self-help culture. It’s the belief that thinking positively and visualizing goals can make them happen. This trend focuses on self-empowerment and personal development, encouraging people to believe in themselves to succeed, sometimes without planning or hard work. It became especially appealing after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many sought hope and control over their future.
While manifestation promotes individualism, it can also lead people to avoid real action and rely solely on hope. Philosophers like Sartre and Camus discussed how people often search for meaning but avoid taking responsibility for their lives. Manifestation can sometimes serve as an escape from life’s challenges, offering a way to dream of a better future without facing reality. The word "manifest" itself has evolved from meaning "easy to notice" in Chaucer's time to being linked to "manifest destiny" in America. Today, it reflects a focus on positivity and self-expression, with people believing they can shape their own reality, even if it means skipping hard work.
Personal Reflection
I’m familiar with the concept of "Manifestation" or the "Law of Attraction," as I have come across it many times through social media, magazines, newspaper columns, and other sources. Over time, my curiosity grew, and I wanted to learn more about it. A few months ago, I decided to explore it further to understand how people connect with it and explain the process. Seeing discussions on social media inspired me to look into it.
There are many different ways to practice manifestation. Some people suggest writing affirmations or goals in a diary and then sitting down to visualize them. They believe that by doing this, things will fall into place, but for it to work, you must trust the process and have complete faith in the Universe’s plan.
Although I haven’t experienced this myself, I know many people around the world who truly believe in it. I’ve seen videos and I’ve seen ads of its workshops that explain how the Law of Attraction works and how it can help people succeed. The word "manifest" has spread so widely that it feels like it’s everywhere. In real life, I often hear people say things like, "Just stay positive, and everything will be okay." However, I believe that while staying positive is important, it’s not enough on its own. Action is also needed to make things better.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, both 'Brain Rot' and 'Manifest' reflect the current state of our society, one consumed by digital distractions and another driven by the desire to control our futures through positive thinking. These words remind us of the power language has in shaping our thoughts and actions, as well as the need for a balanced approach in navigating the complexities of modern life.
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