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

  • 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…

  • Please Sir, Can You Smash That Like Button?

    Please Sir, Can You Smash That Like Button?

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #209 | February 6, 2024 Back in the day, parents used to send their kids to camp to learn archery or canoeing. Nowadays, children are joining summer camps in droves to pursue their dreams of becoming professional creators. According to a 2023 Morning Consult poll, a whopping 57% of Gen Zers said…

  • Fake News: Influencers Didn’t Kill Journalism. Wall Street Did. 

    Fake News: Influencers Didn’t Kill Journalism. Wall Street Did. 

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #208 | February 1, 2024 Two weeks ago, the 30-year-old music news and review site Pitchfork was folded unceremoniously into GQ, gutting its staff. Conde Nast, the parent company of GQ, which acquired the venerated music site in 2015 — had its chief content officer Anna Wintour announce the layoffs during a…