Brainrot, Oxford’s 2024 word of the year, is more than a title; it’s a sign of the rising internet sensation that, for better or worse, is in the air. The idea that people should spend less time on the internet and social media is widely acknowledged. However, has anyone considered the idea of embracing it as a culture?
Although brain rot itself can pose an issue with face-to-face communication, it can also be a way to connect people, no matter how unintentional it may be. As time introduces new internet memes and content to social media, it continues to cycle in a way nearly every one of us are familiar with. A cycle where people adopt the newest internet trend at the expense of the opportunity to connect with others.
Even if a person is not on social media, living in the digital world is still a trademark for most of our generation. Whether you’re a phone naysayer or a person who checks their phone the moment the bell rings for the end of class, one can agree that brain rot is extra isolating in a digitally dominated society. Most of the time.
For instance, sometimes engaging in brain rot content can actually strengthen the friendships we cherish in our day-to-day lives. It’s not the most common practice for bonding, but occasionally one will spot a crowd of friends around a phone, brainrotting together simultaneously. That is what I see as a testament to friendship in a world where the internet dominates nearly every interaction in our society.
The idea that people think of brain rot content as a way to connect is poetic in its own unique way. In fact, I believe there are some cases where brain rot can unite people together. An example of this unification comes from people who create or share low-quality memes with friends about a TV show, movie, or book that they enjoyed. While what the creation produced can be considered brain rot, they also are creating inside jokes that transcends conventional friendship bonding.
Therefore, while brain rot can strengthen friendships, it doesn’t mean we should abandon the friends or memories we create face-to-face. A low-quality meme can be effective in bonding, but neglecting one’s friends from hours of endless scrolling can certainly cheapen that bond.
