Gen Z Creators Are Embracing Brain Rot

CREATOR NEWSLETTER


Recently, the term brain rot has evolved from a basic synonym for being chronically online, to a fully-fledged meme and ironic slang language. Words like gooning, rizz, sigma, gyatt, and skibidi have formed a new cultural lexicon that’s shooting content creators to popularity and permanently warping online and offline speech, according to etymologists.

The term brain rot has been used since as early as 2007 to describe the mental state of those who are considered too online. The release of the 2011 video game “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” in which brain rot is a contractible disease, furthered its popularity. As social media blossomed, brain rot also transformed into a noun, referring to low-quality, absurdist, or attention-grabbing content filled with internet references.

But now, brain rot has taken over. We’re all chronically online and brain rot content has grown into its own lucrative content genre, complete with a distinct linguistic style. We’ve also seen the explosion of niche brain rot. There’s political brain rot, sports brain rot, and even skincare brain rot.

This week, we dove deep into the rise of brain rot and whether this new internet language has staying power. Read the full story here.


CULTURE

How Brain Rot Became the Internet’s Newest Language

Brain melting into phone screen

Try Out The New TikTok Ad Assistant

If you’re trying to grow your TikTok audience, buying ads that extend the reach of your content is the platform’s preferred way to do it. Give yourself the gift of attention and set up a TikTok for Business Account today and get up to $100 in bonus advertising when you spend your first $100.


IN THE BIZ


LABOR

New Report Finds That Most Creators Make Under $50K

Nearly 2,000 creators were surveyed.

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor

Linktree logo and a conceptual photo collage of a rising bar line and shopping carts.

PERSONALITIES

YouTuber Oompaville Doesn’t Know How He Got the MrBeast Interview

YouTuber Oompaville sat down with MrBeast to discuss the various allegations surrounding his YouTube channel.

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor


UPCOMING EVENTS


WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • Is This the New IMDb for Creators?

    Is This the New IMDb for Creators?

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #212 | February 15, 2024 THE COMMENTS SECTION “The way we work has changed. It’s become much more creative and collaborative. At Mosaic we’re convinced that a more effective method could be developed for individuals to document project-based work and highlight their achievements, with authenticity at its core.” – Grace Stanley, Deputy…

  • Generation Sell-Out: The Underrated Virtue of Creator Shops

    Generation Sell-Out: The Underrated Virtue of Creator Shops

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #211 | February 13, 2024 THE COMMENTS SECTION “Anybody else think it’s extremely fucking weird that when a creator gets outed for something terrible, everyones immediate response is to bully their art/content instead of… like… talk about the terrible thing they did?” – Drew Grant, Editorial Director PLATFORMS Won’t Someone Please Think…

  • Fan Fiction: A Day in the Life of a Creator in the Bizarro-Verse Where Gina Carano Wins Her Disney Lawsuit

    Fan Fiction: A Day in the Life of a Creator in the Bizarro-Verse Where Gina Carano Wins Her Disney Lawsuit

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #210 | February 8, 2024 “[Gina] Carano, in a complaint filed Tuesday in California federal court, alleges she was fired for voicing right-wing opinions on social media and seeks a court order that would force Lucasfilm to recast her… and at least $75,000, plus punitive damages.” –The Hollywood Reporter “A short time…