Skibidi. Mama, a girl behind you. Hyperpigmentation. Brain rot is the future and is finally being recognized in an intellectual setting. Brain rot is a collection of internet memes that stem from the popular app TikTok. Viral videos have created a whole new language for Gen Z and they have become so widespread that WCHS has decided to implement a Brain Rot class to begin in the 2025-26 school year.
“Brain Rot has become a part of everyday vocabulary, so I think it is a good thing that people will be learning about it at WCHS,” WCHS senior Annika Shauf said.
The course will be taught similar to a world language class, as students go through the endless memes and phrases learning their origins and backstories, so they can completely understand them. Brain rot comes from spending copious amounts of time on social media, and because not all students spend their time online, it is important for them to learn about these topics in the classroom to stay up to date with their peers.
“A lot of brain rot is becoming more and more relevant,” Shauf said. “When our generation talks, we use these words and phrases, so I think it is good for everybody to be able to learn about them so that everyone is on the same page.”
Alone, most of the terminology like “skibidi” and “gyatt” do not have official definitions, but they have taken on their own lives having powerful meanings. They are becoming normal terminology as brain rot develops, so it is important for students to understand them for social settings and to connect with the youth. WCHS social studies teacher Eric Imperial has committed to teaching this course as he sees the true value behind it.
“I have been studying endlessly to try and understand to the best of my ability how I can teach this course,” Imperial said. “I truly do believe in the value and that we will see a difference in participation and test scores once this class is implemented.”
Some of the course’s content may even seem familiar with words like “Alpha” and “Sigma” possibly showing up in student’s math classes but it is important to reframe students’ associations with those words as they are taking on their new meanings.
“When I have to use Alpha in my math class, my first thought is of the brain rot meaning,” Shauf said. “I think that this class will be really good at teaching these things, so that we can differentiate the meanings and not get anything confused.”
With the direction that brain right is headed, it is likely that it will occupy professional speech and writing by the time the current generation reaches that age. Emails and presentations will all be given through brain rot and it is very crucial to understand it as soon as possible.
“From what I can tell, brain rot is only growing and expanding with new phrases and things coming out everyday,” Imperial said. “I think we need this course as soon as possible. We need to start getting students educated on these extremely important necessary skills.”
