The CRÉ is pleased to welcome Charles Côté-Bouchard (Collège Montmorency), who will give a talk entitled “Le brain rot et son importance: un examen sceptique.”

Abstract

The aim of this presentation is to shed philosophical light on the concept and phenomenon of brain rot. Translatable as digital stupefaction or mental dulling, the term has recently entered common usage and has quickly become ubiquitous in discussions about our use of the web. It was also named Word of the Year 2024 by the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary, who define it roughly as follows:

The supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state as a result of overconsumption of content (especially online) that is trivial or not intellectually stimulating.

But what exactly is brain rot? What kind of mental or intellectual deterioration is at issue? Is brain rot necessarily or conceptually bad? Are we right to fear this phenomenon? Does it really designate something new and distinctive? After distinguishing several of the main uses of the expression, I defend a generally skeptical stance regarding both the significance of brain rot and the theoretical usefulness of the concept.

To participate via Zoom, click here.

Please note that the presentation will be in Englis.