Brain rot humor has become very popular. Brain rot is the idea that exposure to dumb, low-quality, mindless online content will cause your brain to “rot.” Most terms are found and become popular through Tik Tok and while the term is just used for fun and doesn’t actually affect the brain, this media can be seen as addictive.
Hundreds of different memes, videos, and sayings are in the brain rot category, and there seems to be something new every day. Some terms include “rizz,” which means to attract someone by flirting or being good-looking, and “fanum tax,” which refers to stealing food from friends. The state of Ohio also is involved in the comedy, it is used in terms of being embarrassing and cringe.
There have been some older videos and vines resurfaced on the internet, such as “hyperpigmentation” being a favorite. With many aged memes, they have not been forgotten, as there are still some favorites that people quote often.
It is said to be the humor of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the new generations of kids, so many adults are clueless when they hear teens using this slang.
Business teacher Paul Reichenberger sees the pros and cons of brain rot.
“I think brain rot is a way for teenagers and young adults to connect using terminology that they understand. As a teacher, I find it frustrating because I want students to use a higher level vocabulary they will use when they get older,” said Reichenberger.
While adults aren’t the people who are intrigued by brain rot, students have their own perspective.
Junior Daniel Hernandez is another victim of the humor, thinking it can be funny at a certain age.
“I think it is funny if you use the right terms, but I think skibidi and sigma are cringe and it is good for a certain age because when I hear people older than me using brain rot it’s kind of cringe,” said Hernandez
Now, many question the dynamic of brain rot and wonder how it will affect society in upcoming years, as teens become adults.
Freshman Jesse Britton uses brain rot very often and thinks there isn’t an effect on his personality or lifestyle.
“It hasn’t affected me at all, I’m just the same skibidi rizzler I always have been,” said Britton.