‘Brain rot’ named Oxford Word of the Year 2024 \ stacker news ~science

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‘Brain rot’ named Oxford Word of the Year 2024 corp.oup.com/news/brain-rot-named-oxford-word-of-the-year-2024/

161 sats \ 7 comments \ @south_korea_ln 1 Jan science

Our experts noticed that ‘brain rot’ gained new prominence this year as a term used to capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media. The term increased in usage frequency by 230% between 2023 and 2024.

It's my main worry on how to help my kid grow up in today's day and age.

SN curated high-quality content to the rescue? /s

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134 sats \ 0 replies \ @Coyote_Cosmico 1 Jan

Have you ever read The Shallows by Nicholas Carr? It's a fantastic book on this topic. Also, Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves To Death - but I liked the first one more.

I went to a bookstore the other day and saw like 5 or 6 newly published books with "digital detox" or reclaiming attention span themes. I think this is a growing concern for so many people now.

Maybe not so much for the digital native generations, but those of us old enough to remember pre internet times can feel that the rot is real.

126 sats \ 2 replies \ @NovaRift 1 Jan

😂 That’s a great word! For your kid, consider using Rethink DNS + Firewall. I personally use it to block unwanted content, and it gives you the authority to regulate what they see. It works amazingly well, is secure, open-source, and currently free to use.

Learn more here: https://rethinkdns.com/

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @south_korea_ln OP 1 Jan

I should have said "main worry for the future"... he's not really yet at an age where he gets to use social media.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll keep it in mind for when the time comes.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @NovaRift 1 Jan

I hope your kid gets to experience a healthier internet when the time comes!

113 sats \ 0 replies \ @denlillaapan 1 Jan

Decent choice for a word, eh.

We all worry about brain rot and the stupid shit were viewing online.

For 2025, I want to better guard my mind against content not deserving its attention

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @nym 1 Jan

AI will help accelerate brain rot in some users.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @LowK3y19 1 Jan

Better than gut rot