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Gimme That Brainrot

10 JANUARY 2024 • MODERN CULTURE

Dubbed the word of the year by the Oxford dictionary,
2024 saw culture in its ‘brainrot’ era.

‘Brainrot’ is a condition that describes the impact of being “terminally online.” A form of hyper-online speech understood by an in-group and a genre of nonsensical or absurdist internet humour.

And it goes deeper than surface-level 'fluff' —it's about belonging. Reacting to a term like "skibidi" in a group chat isn’t just a joke; it’s a key to an IYKYK culture, where the thrill of shared understanding layers our individual and collective identities. The chronically online know this well, and they’re shaping the way we engage and relate in the digital (and real) world.

But what's next? Here’s what 2025 could bring:

The Rise of Absurdism IRL: The bizarre aesthetics of the web are set to influence physical spaces. Imagine IRL activations inspired by AI-generated trends like the “Miaw Miaw” cats with 50M+ views.

Authenticity Meets Chaos: Gen Z isn’t here for polished perfection—they want quirks, memes, and brands that feel human. With 44% of global buying power (set to hit $12T by 2030), their preferences will dominate.

Bringing the Online Offline: Blurring the lines between online trends and IRL experiences will redefine cultural relevance. Agile brands that move at the speed of meme cycles will win big.

At CAYA Studios, we create magnetic spaces—immersive, branded environments where internet culture comes alive IRL. Think brainrot, but make it purpose-driven: building connections that resonate, entertain, and endure.

The chaos isn’t just online anymore—it’s coming to life. Are you ready?”