Friday, 20 December 2024

BRAIN ROT: THE DIGITAL AGE MENTAL CRISIS

 

Lying on her bed, the glow of her smartphone screen illuminated her face in the dimly lit room. Sophia, a typical young netizen, had been scrolling through her social media feeds for hours, lost in an endless stream of low-quality content. Her fingers moved almost reflexively, swiping up, down, and sideways, as her mind absorbed the barrage of information.

First, there was a TikTok video of a cat wearing sunglasses, and dancing to the latest viral song. She chuckled, her brain registering the fleeting amusement before moving on to a series of Instagram posts by influencers flaunting their meticulously curated meals. Sophia felt a pang of envy but quickly dismissed it, her thumb already poised for the next swipe.

A YouTube short caught her attention--a prank video in which someone pretended to spill coffee on unsuspecting strangers. The laughter was contagious, but the humor was shallow, leaving no lasting impression. Then came the X (formerly Twitter) thread, filled with heated arguments and sensational headlines, each tweet more provocative than the last. Sophia’s heart raced as she read through the comments, the adrenaline rush of online drama pulling her deeper into the digital abyss.

Hours passed, and Sophia’s eyes grew heavy, yet she couldn’t tear herself away. The content was addictive, and each piece was designed to capture her attention for a moment longer. She barely noticed the time slipping away, her mind numbed by the constant stimulation.

This is the reality of brain rot, the Oxford University Press 2024 Word of the Year, a term that has gained prominence in our digital age. It reflects a growing concern about the impact of excessive low-quality online content on our mental abilities. But what exactly does brain rot mean, and how does it connect to the mental processes in our brain? Moreover, what are the political implications of this phenomenon in an era with rampant disinformation? Let’s pick apart these questions in depth.

Understanding Brain Rot

Brain rot is a colloquial term that describes a perceived decline in critical thinking and mental sharpness, often attributed to the overconsumption of low-quality online content. This term highlights the concern that our brains are deteriorating due to constant exposure to superficial content, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok.

As Word of the Year, brain rot captures the zeitgeist of our time, where digital media consumption is all over the place and often overwhelming. It reflects a broader societal anxiety about the impact of technology on our mental health.

Mental Framework: Kahneman’s Systems

In my January 7, 2022, ATABAY article, Juan Tamad Within Us May Elect Our Next President, I explored the two systems in our brain described by Nobel Prize laureate Daniel Kahneman in his book Thinking, Fast and Slow. System 1 thinking is fast, automatic, and requires little effort (e.g., 2 + 2 = what?). It’s the system we rely on for quick judgments and intuitive responses. In contrast, System 2 thinking is slow, deliberate, and effortful, used for complex reasoning and problem-solving (e.g., reading an article and weighing its arguments).

The connection between brain rot and these two systems of thinking lies in our increasing reliance on System 1 thinking due to the nature of digital media. Consuming low-quality, fast-paced content often engages System 1 thinking, leading to a decline in the use of System 2 thinking, which can contribute to the phenomenon of brain rot.

The Impact of Digital Media

The overconsumption of low-quality online content aggravates brain rot by catering to our mental laziness. Platforms like TikTok are designed to hold our attention with short, engaging clips that trigger instant emotional responses. This constant stimulation makes it harder for us to engage in activities that require sustained, effortful thinking.

When we frequently indulge in content prioritizing speed and simplicity over depth and complexity, we condition our brains to favor System 1 thinking. This can lead to a diminished capacity for critical thinking and analytical skills -- hallmarks of a System 2 thinker.

Political Implications

In the political context, the implications of brain rot are profound. Kahneman’s insight that repetition makes people more likely to believe falsehoods plays a crucial role here. Authoritarian regimes and political operatives exploit this mental bias to spread disinformation and manipulate public perception.

Examples of Fear-Based Political Repetition Manipulation

Adolf Hitler wielded fear as a tool, at every turn, to unite Germany against Jews, whom he referred to as a dangerous bacillus, and other perceived enemies. This strategy garnered widespread support for his extreme policies.

Rodrigo Duterte and Donald Trump share striking similarities, as evidenced by their interviews with the press.

Maria Ressa once asked Duterte, known as the Trump of Asia:

“Is it important that people be afraid of you?”

His reply?

“Fear…there must be fear.”

Duterte once compared himself to Hitler, using fear to rally the impoverished Filipinos against drug addicts, whom he referred to as zombies. Ironically, Duterte’s former right-hand man labeled him the lord of all drug lords, and a House of Representatives Committee investigation concluded that Duterte was at the center of a criminal syndicate involved in illegal drug trade and other crimes.

In a CNN interview, Bob Woodward reflected on the view of power by Trump, who said:

“Real Power is fear. You have to scare people.”

American journalist and Trump’s longtime pal Geraldo Rivera (who just grabbed headlines predicting Trump to seek a third term) speaks volumes:

“[Trump’s] major strategic decision was to demonize illegal immigrants, which he did with gusto. He made the undocumented synonymous with rapists and murderers. He asserted they were poisoning the blood of the country, vermin, animals, and dog-and-cat eaters from floating islands of garbage. He and his mouthpieces appealed unabashedly to every prejudice and fear of the other. It was wicked effective. He made Americans believe the country we all love was being stolen from under us.”

Reflecting on the profound implications of brain rot and its connection to zeitgeist–the defining spirit of our time--we are left with a striking question: Is it mere coincidence that Oxford University Press Word of the Year is brain rot and Time Magazine Person of the Year is Donald Trump?

As we immerse ourselves in a deluge of low-quality online content, we imperil our mental faculties, fostering a decline in critical thinking and mental sharpness. In reflecting upon this pervasive issue, it is fitting to heed the poignant words of M. Scott Peck, renowned author of The Road Less Traveled:

“One of the major dilemmas we face as individuals and as a society is simplistic thinking – or the failure to think at all. It is not a problem; it is the problem.”

Indeed, as we stand at the crossroads of an era dominated by digital consumption, the burden is upon us to preserve the sanctity of our minds. By consciously engaging with enriching, high-quality content (ATABAY, anyone?) and nurturing our capacity for deep, reflective thought, we can counteract the insidious effects of brain rot and reclaim our intellectual vitality. The path forward demands a commitment to mental integrity and an unwavering resolve to rise above the superficiality that threatens to dull our minds.

Head photo courtesy of Bnews.vu

Still photos courtesy of Adobe Stock, YouTube, Instagram, Getty Images, Quartz, & Depositphotos


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