Viral trends and memes highlight cultural moments in 2024 as 'brain rot' tops the lexicon

In 2024, "brain rot" was named Oxford's word of the year, reflecting concerns about the impact of trivial online content on mental states. Despite this, viral trends and memes provided cultural insights and entertainment throughout the year. Notable moments included the emotional "holding space" trend from the Wicked press tour, where fans humorously engaged with the musical's lyrics. Cooking videos by Nara Smith, featuring elaborate homemade snacks, captivated audiences, blurring the line between sincerity and satire. Political memes emerged as Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, sparking excitement among young voters. The Paris Olympics also generated humor through memorable moments, while baby animals and viral clips, like Barron Trump's "sootcase," brought joy amid ongoing challenges.