SR: Exploring the Words of the Year 2024 | Brain Rot and Manifest

 Greetings, everyone!

This blog is part of the Sunday Reading Task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the Words of the Year selected by Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries. It’s a fun way to reflect on how language evolves with the times.

For more details, check out our teacher’s blog: Click here

Introduction

Each year, dictionaries like Oxford and Cambridge select a "Word of the Year" to represent major cultural shifts. For 2024, Oxford chose "Brain Rot," and Cambridge picked "Manifest." While these words might seem like they’re from totally different worlds, they actually reflect key trends in modern life. "Brain Rot" highlights the growing concern over how consuming too much low-quality online content is impacting our mental health, while "Manifest" taps into the rise of self-help culture and the idea that focusing on your desires can help bring them to life.

In this post, I’m going to dive into the meanings of these words, why they matter in 2024, and how they connect to how we live today. Looking at these words gives us a snapshot of how language shifts with society’s changes.

Oxford Word of the Year: "Brain Rot"

For 2024, Oxford’s Word of the Year is "Brain Rot," a term that highlights the growing concern about how consuming too much low-quality online content is affecting our mental health. Chosen through public voting and expert input, it reflects how digital distractions are hurting our focus and intellectual well-being.

What Does "Brain Rot" Mean?

"Brain Rot" refers to the mental decline caused by binge-watching or overconsuming trivial online content, like memes, short videos, and viral trends. The term first appeared in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, where he used it to criticize society’s intellectual decay. Today, it’s a term used to describe how constantly engaging with shallow digital content is damaging our brains. It’s everywhere on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with content that, although entertaining, doesn’t add much value and often leaves you feeling mentally drained. In 2024, the term saw a 230% increase in use, showing how widespread this issue has become.

Why It Matters

The rise of "Brain Rot" reflects how social media and digital media are changing the way we think and interact. With viral trends like Skibidi Toilet or "only in Ohio" memes, it's easy to get lost in mindless scrolling, which is shortening attention spans and lowering critical thinking. Younger generations, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, use the term both as a joke and a warning. It shows they’re aware of how these platforms affect their minds and behavior.

"Brain Rot" also sparks more serious conversations about the impact of excessive screen time on mental health, causing anxiety and emotional detachment. It’s a wake-up call to rethink how we use technology.

Personal Thoughts

I didn’t fully get the term "Brain Rot" at first, but once I understood it, I realized I’ve been experiencing it. I spend a lot of time scrolling through funny videos and memes that feel good in the moment but leave me mentally exhausted afterward. Sometimes I watch a video that seems interesting but quickly realize it's just a waste of time.

What worries me even more is how kids and teens are exposed to this kind of content. They’re watching videos with no real meaning, and these creators are getting millions of views. The rise in this type of content makes me anxious about how it’s affecting their focus and intellectual growth. It’s a trend that’s becoming harder to ignore.

Cambridge Word of the Year: "Manifest"

Cambridge’s 2024 Word of the Year is "Manifest," a concept that’s gained huge popularity, especially on social media. It’s all about the idea that visualizing your goals and dreams can make them a reality. Although it comes from a spiritual philosophy, it’s been embraced by the self-help community, with influencers and celebrities like Dua Lipa and Gabby Thomas helping to spread the idea.

What Does "Manifest" Mean?

"Manifest" is essentially the belief that if you focus on positive thoughts and visualize your goals, the universe will help make them happen. It really took off during the pandemic, when people were looking for control during uncertain times. While it’s motivating for some, many criticize it as pseudoscience. Psychologists warn it promotes "magical thinking," where people think that just wishing for something can make it happen, without real effort.

Why It’s So Popular

The term exploded in use after COVID-19, as people turned to manifestation as a way to feel hopeful and in control. It’s a way to feel empowered, but it also encourages the idea that thinking about success is enough—without putting in actual work. Manifestation became a form of escape for many, offering an easy way to dream about a better future without confronting reality.

Personal Thoughts

I’ve seen "manifestation" everywhere—on TikTok, YouTube, even in ads for workshops. Some people swear by writing down their goals and visualizing them every day, believing it’ll magically make things happen. I even found people talking about things like "telepathy" in relation to manifestation, claiming we can send messages through mental connection. It all seemed a bit out there, but I see why people get hooked on it.

While staying positive is great, I think it's also important to take action. "Manifest" might sound powerful, but without actual effort, it’s just wishful thinking.

Conclusion

"Brain Rot" and "Manifest" show two sides of our society—one distracted by digital overload, the other chasing dreams through positive thinking. Both reflect how language evolves with our culture, reminding us that balance is key in today’s world.