WEBVTT 00:00:10.830 --> 00:00:13.550 Welcome to Students Incorporated. I'm your host, 00:00:13.589 --> 00:00:16.329 Mr. Jason. Join me weekly as my students and 00:00:16.329 --> 00:00:18.870 I bring you content that's informative, positive, 00:00:19.030 --> 00:00:21.809 fun, and uplifting. This podcast is created and 00:00:21.809 --> 00:00:23.969 produced with the help of students from the International 00:00:23.969 --> 00:00:29.710 Community School of Bangkok. Hello and welcome 00:00:29.710 --> 00:00:32.270 back to the podcast. I'm your host, Mr. Jason. 00:00:32.409 --> 00:00:35.409 And joining me today are co -hosts James and 00:00:35.409 --> 00:00:39.469 Dorcas, a .k .a. Midnight. And we have two student 00:00:39.469 --> 00:00:41.850 guests joining us today as well. So welcome to 00:00:41.850 --> 00:00:45.009 everyone. So let's get real for a second. Have 00:00:45.009 --> 00:00:47.350 you ever picked up your phone to check one notification 00:00:47.350 --> 00:00:50.509 only to find that an hour later you've watched 00:00:50.509 --> 00:00:54.030 100 short videos and can't even remember what 00:00:54.030 --> 00:00:56.450 you were looking for in the first place? If you 00:00:56.450 --> 00:00:59.750 felt that mental fog, that feeling of being chronically 00:00:59.750 --> 00:01:02.990 online, then you're no stranger to the popular 00:01:02.990 --> 00:01:06.310 and growing term that's online. That term is 00:01:06.310 --> 00:01:09.519 brain rot. In this episode, we're looking into 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:13.180 the world of brain rot, the viral term used to 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:16.299 describe endless scrolling, weird humor, and 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:19.019 the meme culture shaping how much of the online 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:22.480 generation thinks and talks today. From TikTok 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:25.659 trends to internet slang, we'll break down how 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:29.560 memes and media fuel this craze, why it resonates 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:32.200 so strongly with us, and what it all says about 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:35.680 our digital age. So get ready for a mix of cultural 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:39.439 analysis, relatable examples, and student perspectives 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:43.120 on the media that defines their generation. This 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:45.560 is going to be a fun and fascinating conversation. 00:01:46.040 --> 00:01:48.319 But first, let's hear our quote of the day and 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:50.900 get some headline news. Our quote of the day 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:53.459 comes from Dr. John Mayer, a respected psychologist. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:57.239 He said, when we experience intense focus or 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:00.519 fascination, our brains release dopamine, creating 00:02:00.519 --> 00:02:03.290 a cycle of reward that keeps us engaged. This 00:02:03.290 --> 00:02:05.969 quote was chosen because it works on two levels 00:02:05.969 --> 00:02:08.889 for our topic today. On the surface, the word 00:02:08.889 --> 00:02:12.110 focus describes what brain rot feels like, the 00:02:12.110 --> 00:02:14.449 way we can't stop thinking about a favorite character 00:02:14.449 --> 00:02:18.810 or story. But on a deeper level, Dr. Mayer explains 00:02:18.810 --> 00:02:22.050 how this intense interest actually affects our 00:02:22.050 --> 00:02:24.610 brain chemistry, making us want to keep coming 00:02:24.610 --> 00:02:27.830 back for more. Brain rot isn't just a fun obsession. 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:31.180 It's a real psychological process that drives 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:34.699 creativity, connection, and joy. It reminds us 00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:37.360 that being passionate about something, even a 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:40.099 fictional world, is a natural part of how our 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:42.860 minds find pleasure and meaning. And that's our 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:45.159 quote of the day. Now on to some headline news. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:48.240 Thank you for our quote of the day. Now let's 00:02:48.240 --> 00:02:50.080 dive into some headline news from around the 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:52.020 world. Our first story comes from Psychology 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:54.580 Today, which weighs in on the impact of TikTok 00:02:54.580 --> 00:02:57.039 trends on young people. They write, While brain 00:02:57.039 --> 00:02:59.900 rot isn't a clinical diagnosis, we can't ignore 00:02:59.900 --> 00:03:02.599 the profound effect that rapid algorithm -driven 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:04.979 content has on the developing brain's capacity 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:07.699 for deep focus. This article gathers opinions 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:10.240 from child psychologists who are debating whether 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:13.360 it is a real neurological concern or just the 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:16.719 latest moral panic about new media. Next up, 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:19.599 an article from Forbes looks at how this is affecting 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:38.319 the workplace. It notes, And finally, a report 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:40.719 from Edutopia highlights how schools are trying 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:43.330 to tackle the problem head -on. An educator in 00:03:43.330 --> 00:03:46.129 the report states, we realize we can't just ban 00:03:46.129 --> 00:03:48.509 the technology. We have to give students the 00:03:48.509 --> 00:03:50.969 mental tools to navigate it. We're essentially 00:03:50.969 --> 00:03:53.430 teaching them to be mindful consumers of information, 00:03:53.650 --> 00:03:56.409 not just passive scrollers. This story covers 00:03:56.409 --> 00:03:58.949 new digital literacy and mindfulness programs 00:03:58.949 --> 00:04:00.930 being rolled out in schools to help students 00:04:00.930 --> 00:04:03.370 practice sustained focus. And that's our headline 00:04:03.370 --> 00:04:06.770 news from around the world. And we are back. 00:04:06.770 --> 00:04:09.229 I'm here with James Midnight and our student 00:04:09.229 --> 00:04:12.449 guest Pun and Proud to break down the phenomenon 00:04:12.449 --> 00:04:15.830 of brain rot. In my introduction, I offered a 00:04:15.830 --> 00:04:18.610 general definition of brain rot, this idea of 00:04:18.610 --> 00:04:21.610 endless scrolling and internet heavy humor. But 00:04:21.610 --> 00:04:24.629 I love to hear from you guys directly. Pun, when 00:04:24.629 --> 00:04:27.430 you hear the term brain rot, does that definition 00:04:27.430 --> 00:04:29.850 resonate with you? What does it mean in your 00:04:29.850 --> 00:04:33.230 daily life? Yeah, definitely. For me, it's not 00:04:33.230 --> 00:04:36.029 just the scrolling, it's the language. It's when 00:04:36.029 --> 00:04:38.389 you've spent so much time online that the inside 00:04:38.389 --> 00:04:41.470 jokes from TikTok or memes start showing up in 00:04:41.470 --> 00:04:44.589 how you talk. It's using terms like skibbity 00:04:44.589 --> 00:04:47.569 or riz and having them make perfect sense to 00:04:47.569 --> 00:04:49.949 your friends, but completely nonsensical to anyone 00:04:49.949 --> 00:04:52.819 else. It's like your brain is just full of references 00:04:52.819 --> 00:04:55.660 to things that only exist online. That's a great 00:04:55.660 --> 00:04:58.579 point. The language aspect is huge. How about 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:01.079 you, Proud? What comes to your mind? I agree 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:03.240 with Pun on the language, but for me, it's also 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:05.959 the feeling of it. It's that mental fog you mentioned. 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:08.100 It's when I realize I've been watching YouTube 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:11.240 shorts for 45 minutes and my brain feels slow. 00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:14.860 It needs a moment to reboot. The videos are so 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:16.860 fast and random that my thoughts feel scattered 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:19.579 afterwards. And it's hard to focus on something 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:22.879 complex, like starting my homework. So it's both 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:25.220 an external culture and an internal feeling. 00:05:25.420 --> 00:05:28.759 Let's look into the content itself. Is all brain 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:31.360 rot the same? For example, is there a difference 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:34.759 between a simple absurd mean trend versus the 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:37.939 really deep complex lore you might find in a 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:41.160 fandom or a video game community? Pun, what do 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:45.129 you think? Oh, there's a huge difference. There 00:05:45.129 --> 00:05:48.250 are levels to it. Level one is the surface level 00:05:48.250 --> 00:05:51.850 stuff, the random soundbite -driven memes that 00:05:51.850 --> 00:05:55.230 are funny for a week and then disappear. It's 00:05:55.230 --> 00:05:59.670 low effort, high reward humor. But then you have 00:05:59.670 --> 00:06:02.610 the deeper stuff, the lore. It could be about 00:06:02.610 --> 00:06:07.209 a niche web series, a video game, or even a creator's 00:06:07.209 --> 00:06:11.139 running gags. Understanding that... requires 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:15.040 history you have to have been there to get the 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:18.160 joke that kind of content feels less like rot 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:21.839 but and and more like being part of a subculture 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:25.819 it's rewarding in a different way hello my friends 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:29.120 man i here yeah the idea of subculture is really 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:30.920 interesting you mentioned it's kind of like an 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:33.759 inside joke does that share language and understanding 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:36.300 create a strong sense of community or can it 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:38.579 be isolating do you ever feel like you're in 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:40.980 a bubble And it's like hard to connect with people 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:42.879 or even like older family members who aren't 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:45.439 in on that joke. It's definitely both. The community 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:47.579 is real. Finding people who understand a super 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:50.199 niche reference is an amazing feeling. It's how 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:52.600 a lot of online friendship starts. But it can 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:55.139 be isolating in the real world. I definitely 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:57.540 made a reference to a meme in a conversation 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:59.459 with my parents and just got in a completely 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:02.439 blank stare. It's not that I can't talk to them, 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:04.920 but it's highlighting a big part of my cultural 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:07.519 world is totally invisible to them. It can feel 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:09.500 like you're speaking to a different... language 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:12.519 for sure that experience you're both describing 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:15.720 ties back to the psychology of it all proud you 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:18.759 mentioned the mental fog and fun you talked about 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:21.779 the low effort high reward humor it makes me 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:23.920 think about the quote i shared from dr mayer 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:27.139 about the brain's dopamine cycle does consuming 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:29.060 this type of media feel like you're actively 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:31.699 seeking the reward that he mentioned like you're 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:34.100 hunting for that funny video or is it more of 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:36.860 a passive almost mindless habit that you just 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:42.149 fall into I think it starts as a hunt. You're 00:07:42.149 --> 00:07:44.750 looking for something entertaining, but after 00:07:44.750 --> 00:07:47.569 a while, the algorithm is so good that you don't 00:07:47.569 --> 00:07:51.370 even have to hunt anymore. You can just swipe 00:07:51.370 --> 00:07:53.670 and the next thing is already there. It becomes 00:07:53.670 --> 00:07:57.069 passive very quickly and that's when you lose 00:07:57.069 --> 00:08:00.069 track of time. That leads to an interesting thought 00:08:00.069 --> 00:08:02.949 I have. If you're constantly being fed this content, 00:08:03.170 --> 00:08:05.860 do you find that your brain adapts to it? Does 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:09.360 content have to become weirder, faster, or more 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:12.500 shocking to get that same level of laugh or hold 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:15.439 your attention? Is there a kind of desensitization 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:18.019 effect? I think so. A meme that was hilarious 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:21.100 six months ago can be seen boring now. The pace 00:08:21.100 --> 00:08:23.699 of trends is incredibly fast. Something is popular 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:26.279 for a week, and then everyone moves on. And to 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:28.660 stand out, new content often has to be more absurd 00:08:28.660 --> 00:08:31.639 or chaotic. It's like a constant escalation of 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:39.289 weirdness, and you get used to that. That escalation 00:08:39.289 --> 00:08:41.570 is exactly what the Psychology Today article 00:08:41.570 --> 00:08:43.830 I found was concerned about. The impact on the 00:08:43.830 --> 00:08:45.830 developing brain. It questions whether brain 00:08:45.830 --> 00:08:48.490 rot is a genuine neurological concern or is it 00:08:48.490 --> 00:08:50.629 just the latest moral panic. From your guys' 00:08:50.730 --> 00:08:52.909 point of view, do you think the concern for psychologists 00:08:52.909 --> 00:08:55.269 and parents is justified? Or do you think it's 00:08:55.269 --> 00:08:57.590 just like an overreaction to your generation's 00:08:57.590 --> 00:09:00.799 culture? I think it's a little of both. The concern 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:03.679 of how attention spans is real. I see it in myself 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:05.940 and my friends when we have to read a book for 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:08.539 class. It feels harder to stay focused for long 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:10.860 periods. But at the same time, I think adults 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:13.139 sometimes miss the good parts. The memes and 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:15.740 trends are a huge source of creativity and connection 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:19.100 for us. It's how we build community. So calling 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:21.799 it rot feels a bit harsh, like they're dismissing 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:24.340 the entire culture behind it. I think that's 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:26.639 a crucial point. Historically, older generations 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:29.259 have always been worried about new media. They 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:32.120 said about rock and roll, video games, and even 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:35.379 the novel. Do you see this as just a 21st century 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:37.700 version of that same panic, or does something 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:41.100 about the algorithm, the speed, and the personalization 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:44.139 of it feel fundamentally different this time? 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:48.159 Yeah, it feels different. With old media like 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:51.039 TV, everyone was mostly watching the same few 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:54.320 things. But with algorithms, everyone's experience 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:57.940 is unique. My... For you, Page is completely 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:01.379 different from Proud. The personalization makes 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:04.080 it way more powerful and maybe a little more 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:07.480 dangerous. The app knows exactly what will keep 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:10.399 you watching. This is a level of influence that 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:14.320 older media never had. It's not just a broadcast, 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:17.240 it's a conversation between you and a machine 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.960 designed to hold your attention. That's a powerful 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:23.179 way to put it. It reminds me of the Forbes article 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:26.659 about the attention economy. It basically argues 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:29.019 that in the modern world, the most valuable resource 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:31.679 is human attention. Does it ever feel like you're 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:34.019 in a battle for your own focus and that these 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:36.379 apps are designed to win that battle? All the 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:38.600 time. I actively have to put my phone in another 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:41.879 room to get work done. I use app timers. It's 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:44.679 a conscious effort to reclaim my own focus. So 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:47.279 yes, it absolutely feels like a battle sometimes 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:50.779 and you don't always have to win. That's a great 00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:53.559 place to pause. We've gone from defining brain 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:56.840 rot to unpacking its social dynamics, its psychological 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:59.980 hooks, and the powerful role of the algorithm. 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:03.220 It's clear this is a complex issue with no easy 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:05.899 answers. When we come back from the break, I 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:08.220 want to dive deeper into the real -world consequences 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:11.600 you've both touched on, the good and the bad, 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.919 that we're seeing in schools, our relationships, 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:16.519 and even the workplace. All right, we'll be right 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:20.340 back after this short PSA announcement. One, 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:24.980 two, three, four. Hello, my friends. We're taking 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:27.179 a quick pause from our conversation for our public 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:29.620 service announcement about the very topic we're 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.919 discussing today. Every year, the Oxford University 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:34.940 Press chooses a single word of the year. It is 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:37.019 a word or expression that is judged to reflect 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:40.620 the vibe of the past 12 months. In 2022, it was 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:44.220 Goblin Mode. In 2023, it was Riz. And in 2024, 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:47.080 Oxford's word of the year was Brain Rock. This 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:49.480 term describes a perceived decline in mental 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:51.659 and intellectual ability due to the excessive 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:54.659 consumption of low -quality online content, especially 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:57.279 from social media platforms like TikTok, and 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:59.620 can also refer to slang words and memes that 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:02.019 emerge from this online culture. Let that sink 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:04.809 in. Of all the words that define our global conversation 00:12:04.809 --> 00:12:08.149 in politics technology and culture the one that 00:12:08.149 --> 00:12:10.409 rose to the top was a slang term for feeling 00:12:10.409 --> 00:12:13.250 being overstimulated and chronically online this 00:12:13.250 --> 00:12:16.049 tells us that this isn't just a niche internet 00:12:16.049 --> 00:12:19.590 joke it is a widespread cultural experience the 00:12:19.590 --> 00:12:22.009 feeling of a scattered attention span the endless 00:12:22.009 --> 00:12:24.750 scroll and a mind filled with memes became so 00:12:24.750 --> 00:12:27.190 universal that it was chosen to represent the 00:12:27.190 --> 00:12:30.179 entire year this isn't a judgment It's a diagnosis. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:32.820 It's a mirror showing us our collective state 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:34.960 of mind. So the next time you pick up your phone, 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:37.299 just take a moment to be mindful. Think about 00:12:37.299 --> 00:12:39.360 your digital diet. What are you feeding your 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:41.419 brain? This has been a public service announcement 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:44.200 and hopefully a warning to all of us. Now back 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:48.419 to our discussion. All right. Welcome back. We 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:51.340 just heard that brain rot was named Oxford's 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:54.710 word of the year for 2024. which cements how 00:12:54.710 --> 00:12:58.230 significant this phenomena is. Before we dive 00:12:58.230 --> 00:13:00.590 into some specific examples of the language, 00:13:00.710 --> 00:13:03.309 I want to explore the bigger picture. Why does 00:13:03.309 --> 00:13:05.710 it feel like online language is evolving faster 00:13:05.710 --> 00:13:08.009 right now than at any other point in history? 00:13:08.230 --> 00:13:11.049 It seems like we've moved from a known quantity 00:13:11.049 --> 00:13:14.649 with Gen Z slang into a whole new territory. 00:13:14.669 --> 00:13:17.230 Well, I think a huge part of it is the generational 00:13:17.230 --> 00:13:21.129 handoff. Gen Z grew up on social media. But Gen 00:13:21.129 --> 00:13:24.509 Alpha was born into an ecosystem dominated by 00:13:24.509 --> 00:13:28.309 TikTok. For Gen Z, platforms like Instagram and 00:13:28.309 --> 00:13:30.649 YouTube were the training ground. For Gen Alpha, 00:13:30.850 --> 00:13:33.750 the default is the algorithm, a constant stream 00:13:33.750 --> 00:13:37.470 of hyper -fast, audio -driven, and context -collapsing 00:13:37.470 --> 00:13:40.409 content. Their brains are being wired from a 00:13:40.409 --> 00:13:42.809 much younger age to communicate in this mode, 00:13:42.889 --> 00:13:45.610 so their language has to be even more efficient 00:13:45.610 --> 00:13:48.730 and attention -grabbing. Exactly, and it changes 00:13:48.730 --> 00:13:51.529 the entire purpose of the slang. I was looking 00:13:51.529 --> 00:13:53.789 through the resources Mr. Jason sent, and one 00:13:53.789 --> 00:13:57.309 of them is Brain Rock Slang 2025, and it makes 00:13:57.309 --> 00:14:01.070 a key point. It says popular Gen Z words serve 00:14:01.070 --> 00:14:03.370 as cultural markers for digital communities. 00:14:03.590 --> 00:14:06.710 Words like slay or spilling the tea helped build 00:14:06.710 --> 00:14:10.529 a shared identity for Gen Z. Now, Gen Alpha is 00:14:10.529 --> 00:14:13.309 taking that foundation and remixing it into something 00:14:13.309 --> 00:14:15.710 else. They aren't just creating cultural markers. 00:14:15.830 --> 00:14:18.370 They're creating entire microcultures that might 00:14:18.370 --> 00:14:21.269 only live for a week. The pace itself has become 00:14:21.269 --> 00:14:23.590 the culture. Yeah, that's a fascinating distinction. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:27.139 Pun and proud. You're in the front lines of this. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:29.600 Does it feel like there's a real difference between 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:32.820 the slang Gen Z established and what you're seeing 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:35.980 emerge now with Gen Alpha? Oh, absolutely. The 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:38.740 slang I hear like no cap feels normal and has 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:41.460 clear rules. We use it to describe things, but 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:43.580 the new wave of slang feels much more random 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:46.879 and chaotic. It's less about describing a feeling 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:49.399 and more about creating a bizarre moment. You 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.519 can see the shift happening in real time. My 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.750 younger brother used words that... I don't even 00:14:53.750 --> 00:14:56.149 understand sometimes. And they've only been online 00:14:56.149 --> 00:14:58.990 for a few years. Yeah, I think the key difference 00:14:58.990 --> 00:15:02.629 is absurdity. One of the articles mentions that 00:15:02.629 --> 00:15:06.929 the new slang has a playful, sometimes absurd 00:15:06.929 --> 00:15:09.269 quality. And that's the perfect description. 00:15:09.870 --> 00:15:15.210 Yeah, Gen Z slang was often clever or empowering. 00:15:15.610 --> 00:15:20.070 But Gen Alpha slang leans more into being nonsensical 00:15:20.070 --> 00:15:23.659 on purpose. The goal isn't just to be an inside 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:27.580 joke but to be a joke so inside that it barely 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:32.240 has an origin point it's about proving you were 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:36.559 there for the split second that it mattered it's 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:41.059 the next level of being chronically online so 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:44.139 it's a progression gen z built the house with 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:47.320 a shared set of slang and now gen alpha is consistently 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:50.840 redecorating the rooms in the house with absurd, 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:53.779 fast -moving slang or memes. This is the perfect 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:56.679 foundation for what we're doing next. To make 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:59.440 this real for our listeners, we've compiled a 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:02.340 top 10 list of the essential brain rot words, 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:06.179 a mix of Gen Z classics and Gen Alpha absurdities. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.980 Let's start the countdown. Proud, what's at number 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:12.070 10? At number 10, we have a Gen Z classic that 00:16:12.070 --> 00:16:14.629 set the stage, Spilling the Tea. This means sharing 00:16:14.629 --> 00:16:17.509 gossip or revealing interest information. A perfect 00:16:17.509 --> 00:16:19.990 starting point. It's foundational and it shows 00:16:19.990 --> 00:16:22.889 how online conversations about drama became normalized. 00:16:23.610 --> 00:16:26.549 All right, Pun, what's next at number 9? All 00:16:26.549 --> 00:16:31.750 right, at number 9 is another Gen Z pillar, Slay. 00:16:32.049 --> 00:16:35.230 It's a term of empowerment used when someone 00:16:35.230 --> 00:16:38.620 does something exceptionally well. Okay, for 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:41.059 number eight, we have cringe. This describes 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:43.120 something so awkwardly embarrassing that you 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:45.899 feel it for the other person. All right, the 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:49.200 Ultimate Gen Z Slang Guide article listed cringe 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:52.320 as a core term. It's the word we use to police 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:54.000 the boundaries of what's socially acceptable 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:57.960 online. Pun, what's number seven? Coming up in 00:16:57.960 --> 00:17:02.480 at number seven is no cap. Simple, it means no 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:06.400 lie or for real. It's a stamp of authenticity. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:10.180 For number six, we've got bussin', which is almost 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:12.900 exclusively for describing delicious food. For 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.000 real, though, have you heard anybody actually 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:18.539 say this word while eating? Okay, so there's 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:22.000 a song from Stray Kids, and it's called Super 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.420 Bowl, and it's from the album Five Star, and 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:27.259 that word has appeared more than once. For example, 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:32.740 one of the lyrics is, our dish here so bussin'. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:37.930 So, yeah. Okay. There's bussin' for you. All 00:17:37.930 --> 00:17:40.309 right, halfway done here. What's number five 00:17:40.309 --> 00:17:43.589 on our top ten slang words? Pun. This one is 00:17:43.589 --> 00:17:46.990 probably my favorite. Okay, at number five is 00:17:46.990 --> 00:17:52.549 goblin mode. Oxford's 2022 word of the year. 00:17:52.670 --> 00:17:56.049 It's the rejection of social pressure, embracing 00:17:56.049 --> 00:18:01.250 a lazy, self -indulgent state. Wow. Well, this 00:18:01.250 --> 00:18:03.950 slang word is a direct reaction to the highly 00:18:03.950 --> 00:18:07.019 curated Perfect aesthetic of early Instagram. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:10.740 A very Gen Z move. According to our research, 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:14.420 goblin mode is a way that means to reject social 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:17.079 norms and disregard expectations for neatness 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:20.380 and productivity. This is often promoted online 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:22.759 and can be represented by staying in your pajamas, 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:25.500 eating unhealthy snacks, and letting certain 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:28.920 physical standards slip. Some suggest it was 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:32.079 a reaction to the pandemic. Others suggest that 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:34.539 is a counterpoint to the highly curated and perfect 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:38.200 aesthetic standards often found online by influencers. 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:41.900 So, word of advice, don't go into goblin mode 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:45.220 at school. Okay, what's next? Number four is 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:49.059 Oxford's 2023 Word of the Year, RIS. It's short 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:51.759 for charisma and describing the idea of having 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:54.539 natural charm without having to try. Now, moving 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:58.500 on to number three. Yes, number three. This is 00:18:58.500 --> 00:19:02.140 where things start getting weirder. Number three 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:07.960 is delusion. This is a short for delusional. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:11.960 It's about embracing unrealistic fantasies as 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:15.200 a coping mechanism. I love this. The phrase is 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:21.279 delusional is the solution. Or delusional is 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:25.410 the solution. This is the bridge to Gen Alpha's 00:19:25.410 --> 00:19:28.490 mindset. It's self -aware detachment from reality. 00:19:28.990 --> 00:19:31.849 Proud, what's the next one? At number two, we 00:19:31.849 --> 00:19:35.170 have cooked or, you know, cooking, a word with 00:19:35.170 --> 00:19:37.829 opposite meanings. If you're cooked, you're done 00:19:37.829 --> 00:19:40.829 for or finished. It's a negative thing. If you're 00:19:40.829 --> 00:19:43.210 cooking, you're in the zone or you're doing great 00:19:43.210 --> 00:19:46.190 things. It's a positive thing. Context is everything 00:19:46.190 --> 00:19:49.390 with cooked and cooking. The ultimate linguistic 00:19:49.390 --> 00:19:52.410 efficiency. And finally, the number one brain 00:19:52.410 --> 00:19:56.369 rot term on our list. Pun, what is it? Our number 00:19:56.369 --> 00:20:01.019 one is the number... Six, seven. This is pure 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:05.440 Gen Alpha level brain rot. It has no meaning. 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:09.079 It's an inside joke from a game that became a 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:12.720 nonsensical punchline. The joke is that it's 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:15.740 meaningless. One month ago, this term flooded 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:20.440 TikTok and at that time showed over 1 .1 million 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:24.400 related videos. I'm sure that the number is much 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:28.380 higher now. Here's an explanation. If you still 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:32.259 don't get it, the slang 6 -7 can be used to express 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:35.500 just about anything from a simple yes, okay, 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:39.900 or no problem. A statement of uncertainty, excitement, 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:42.960 or humor as well. The meaning is highly contextual 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:46.000 and depends on the speaker's intent and the community 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:49.680 using the term. It can sometimes be a funny placeholder 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:53.420 with no specific meaning at all. Wow, that is 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:56.420 a very long explanation to give about a slang 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:59.220 word that does not have a real definitive meaning. 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:02.299 But thank you, Pun, for doing that. So this particular 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:06.039 word, it's actually two words, six and seven. 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:08.960 The slang term's meaning changes depending on 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:12.119 the intended situation and the person using it. 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:15.339 And that's the final evolution. Language that 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:17.799 has become so detached from meaning that its 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:20.500 only purpose is to signal that you are part of 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:23.539 the absolute most current in -group. It's perfect 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:26.539 and slightly mind -numbing, symbol for a culture 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:28.839 where knowing the joke is more important than 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:31.779 the joke itself. And that's the core of it, isn't 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:35.339 it? This isn't about fun words. It's about social 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:38.380 gatekeeping, in a way. The speed and the absurdity 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:41.359 creates a clear dividing line. Those who know, 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:44.339 know. And those who don't are made to feel like 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:47.480 outsiders. It's like an invisible wall. And if 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:50.859 you have to ask what 6 -7 means, you've just 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:54.099 proven you're on the other side of it. I see 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:56.019 that, but I don't think it's intentionally malicious. 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:59.180 It's less about actively excluding people and 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:01.039 more about quickly finding your own community. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:03.759 The internet is huge and anonymous. Using the 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:06.589 slang is like sending up a flare. The people 00:22:06.589 --> 00:22:09.349 who get it are the people who will get you. It's 00:22:09.349 --> 00:22:11.809 a filter to finding your own people in group. 00:22:12.089 --> 00:22:14.529 Oh yeah, that's so real. It's like a digital 00:22:14.529 --> 00:22:17.769 secret handshake in a world where everyone can 00:22:17.769 --> 00:22:20.890 see everything. Having a language that only a 00:22:20.890 --> 00:22:23.730 specific niche group understands creates a private 00:22:23.730 --> 00:22:27.009 space. The exclusion isn't the goal, but it's 00:22:27.009 --> 00:22:30.450 a necessary byproduct of creating a sense of 00:22:30.450 --> 00:22:33.289 belonging and identity in a very loud public 00:22:33.289 --> 00:22:36.380 world. Yeah, and I think that perfectly captures 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:38.980 the complexity of this topic. It's a cultural 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:41.559 marker, but it's also a communication barrier. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:44.619 It's a creative outlet that also functions as 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:47.799 a social filter, creating these distinct in -groups 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:50.460 and out -groups. We've journeyed from the psychological 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:53.680 drivers of this rapid linguistic evolution to 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:56.819 a very real generational shift. And this list 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:59.890 has shown us how it all works in practice. What 00:22:59.890 --> 00:23:02.529 might seem like nonsensical brain rot on the 00:23:02.529 --> 00:23:05.730 surface is actually a deeply human response to 00:23:05.730 --> 00:23:08.750 our hyper -digital world, a reflection of how 00:23:08.750 --> 00:23:11.990 we build identity, find belonging, and decide 00:23:11.990 --> 00:23:14.829 who gets to be on the inside, whether it's intentional 00:23:14.829 --> 00:23:17.890 or not. Our top 10 list took us from mainstream 00:23:17.890 --> 00:23:20.950 terms like slay all the way to the pure mind 00:23:20.950 --> 00:23:24.769 -numbing absurdity of 6 -7. It really proves 00:23:24.769 --> 00:23:27.609 that what might seem like nonsensical brain rot 00:23:27.609 --> 00:23:30.529 on the surface is actually a deeply human response 00:23:30.529 --> 00:23:33.529 to our hyper -digital world, a reflection of 00:23:33.529 --> 00:23:36.349 how we build identity, find belonging, and play 00:23:36.349 --> 00:23:39.589 with the very fabric of communication. Language 00:23:39.589 --> 00:23:42.109 is a cultural marker, and the speed of its evolution 00:23:42.109 --> 00:23:44.789 is a gatekeeping tool for those who can keep 00:23:44.789 --> 00:23:47.220 up in the... those who can't keep up. Anyways, 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:49.779 it's time to put the fries in the bag and hopefully 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:52.779 you felt like we were able to give you the 411 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:56.259 on 6 -7. So thank you for sticking around to 00:23:56.259 --> 00:24:08.660 the end. And that brings us to the end of our 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:11.920 exploration into memes, media, and the brain 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:14.940 rot phenomenon. Thanks to my co -host and student 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:17.220 guests for joining us on this episode today. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:20.359 We've discussed how the term brain rot went from 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:23.119 niche internet slang to Oxford's word of the 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:25.880 year and the fact that there is now a term attached 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:29.059 to the consumption of low -value online content, 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:32.140 content that doesn't really add any real value 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:34.880 to your life. We've looked at the psychology 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:37.960 that keeps us scrolling, and we've seen how this 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:40.059 fast -paced language is a creative playground 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:42.910 for a new generation. I think the biggest takeaway 00:24:42.910 --> 00:24:45.930 is that behind all the absurdity and the inside 00:24:45.930 --> 00:24:48.849 jokes, there's a very real and very human search 00:24:48.849 --> 00:24:52.210 for connection and community, good or bad. So 00:24:52.210 --> 00:24:54.549 thank you for listening to our brain rot episode. 00:24:54.589 --> 00:24:57.250 We hope this conversation gives you a new lens 00:24:57.250 --> 00:24:59.569 through which to see the memes and trends that 00:24:59.569 --> 00:25:02.059 fill your social media feeds. I'm your host, 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:04.720 Mr. Jason. Don't forget to subscribe. We put 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:07.599 our new episodes out every week. And as always, 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.839 this podcast would not be possible without the 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:12.240 hard work and support of our international student 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:14.460 production team. All music and sound effects 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:17.119 are courtesy of Pixabay .com, a vibrant community 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:19.319 of creatives sharing copyright -free images, 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:21.859 videos, and music. And we are signing off until 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:25.400 next time. We are Students Incorporated, because 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.519 your voice matters.