2024 Word of the Year

December 4,2024: I asked my AI thought partner is there a connection between the Oxford Dictionary 2024 word of the year “brain rot” and the Merriam-Webster’s word of the year “authentic”.  

The answer (paraphrased): there is a growing interest on mental engagement and the quality of information consumed. 

“Brain rot” highlights concerns about the decline in mental acuity due to excessive exposure to trivial or superficial online content, particularly on social media. This term reflects a growing awareness of how such consumption can negatively impact cognitive health and critical thinking.

On the other hand, “authentic” emphasizes the value of genuine, meaningful experiences and content. It suggests a yearning for realness in a world increasingly filled with curated, superficial, or misleading information. 

Together, these terms underscore a cultural shift towards prioritizing quality and “authenticity” in media consumption as a counter to the detrimental effects of “brain rot.” They represent a collective desire to reclaim genuine intellectual engagement and seek out content that fosters deeper understanding and connection.

Interstingly, the phrase “brain rot” was first recorded in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in “Walden,” where he critiqued society’s preference for simplistic ideas over complex ones, likening it to a deterioration of intellectual engagement.