Today’s Big Story

Brain Rot

Is social media numbing our noggins?

It’s a term that’s both old and new. Gen Alpha’s hyper-online manner of speaking has officially entered the zeitgeist. But the term itself is so old, that its first recorded reference was 200 years ago and credited to the philosopher Henry David Thoreau. We’re talking about “brain rot”.

In his 1854 book, Walden, Thoreau used the term as he railed against oversimplification. So, while it’s different today, it’s somewhat fitting that the phrase “gained new prominence in 2024”, says Oxford University Press. So much so that Oxford dubbed the term its word of the year.

According to TIME, Oxford's language experts say brain rot gained traction on platforms such as TikTok this year, thanks to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Frequency of the term's use grew by 230% from 2023 to 2024, according to the publisher's monitoring tools.

What exactly does it mean? Well, Oxford defines brain rot as the "supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging." It can also be "something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration."

NBC News reports that just as it has in years past, Oxford University Press enlisted the public’s help in choosing its word. More than 37,000 people voted. Brain rot was selected from a short list of six words. The other words making the list were “demure”, “dynamic pricing”, “lore”, “romantasy” and “slop”.

Hezbollah and Israel Trade Fire, Further Testing Cease-Fire

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce

Hezbollah fired at Israeli-controlled territory on Monday for the first time since a cease-fire was reached, prompting Israel to launch a wave of airstrikes in Lebanon, as each side blamed the other for violating the tenuous truce.

Residents in Beirut also told Reuters they heard drones flying overhead at low altitudes late in the evening. The exchange of fire put the freshly-signed, U.S.-brokered ceasefire between the two in an increasingly fragile position less than a week after it took effect.

It is believed that the Israeli military has violated the terms of the ceasefire, according to CNN affiliate Kan and Israeli news outlet Ynet. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Monday that the ceasefire has not broken down. “Obviously, when you have any ceasefire, you can see violations of it,” Miller acknowledged. He noted that the U.S. and France had set up a mechanism “to look at all of these reports of violations of the ceasefire and deal with them through the channels that the mechanisms set up, and that’s what we’ll do over the coming days.”

The McRib Returns (Again)

Now with an oversized bottle of holiday sauce

Is it fair to call the McRib an American icon? I think so … McDonald's beloved barbecue sandwich officially returns to participating restaurants nationwide today. Though, it appeard that some franchises cracked open the crates early and started selling the seasoned boneless pork patty on Monday.

Of course, the sandwich has been retired and brought back so many times that many people no longer get all that excited by a mere announcement of its return. So the home of the golden arches decided to do things differently this year. To make the 2024 McRib season more exciting, the brand is launching a limited-edition product: “A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce”, a half-gallon jug of the iconic barbecue sauce. Available online now for $19.99, this oversized jug is perfect for holiday recipes, parties, or as a quirky stocking stuffer for McRib enthusiasts.

“The McRib is more than just a sandwich—it’s a cultural phenomenon,” Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s Chief Marketing Officer told Hypebeast, adding “This year, we wanted to give fans an even bigger way to celebrate.” Fans can also look forward to a festive McRib anthem, “It Could Only Mean One Thing (McRib is Here),” dropping soon on various streaming platforms.

The Rise in Cohousing

Can it solve the housing crisis and loneliness epidemic?

Have you heard about “cohousing”? These burgeoning collections of private homes are grouped around shared spaces that usually include a communal kitchen and dining area, maybe a guest house and a garden. While shared spaces are nothing new—condominiums and neighborhood associations typically offer rooftop decks or clubhouses—the intent of cohousing developments is much different. Shared spaces serve not as amenities, but as keystones to community.

After all, the U.S is in the middle of an epidemic of loneliness, according to Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. But research suggests that regular, informal and unscheduled encounters nurture trust and belonging. And these cohousing developments include wide outdoor walkways with social nooks for people to hang out in and are laid out so that most people pass by the courtyard and common house on their way from their unit to the parking area or street.

According to NPR, there are now close to 200 of these cohousing communities spread across the country. The density of these kinds of developments also allow cities and towns to pack in multiple homes where one might typically get developed. The only downside, residents say, is a time commitment to governance. That’s because communities typically use consensus decision-making, a process that some say can be onerous.

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Choose joy when you can.