Oxford lexicographers have chosen rage bait as Word of the Year.
If I were in the room with Oxford lexicographers, I would have pointed us towards words that explore feelings of greed: overconsumption or gluttony.
This is the time of year when everyone is excited to find out their music stats with Spotify Wrapped, but I, on the other hand, anxiously wait for Oxford to announce its Word of the Year. Yes, I am joking, and even beyond joking. I am only perplexed that I obtained a milligram of hope in my blood to believe in Oxford to accurately choose a Word of the Year that reflects the current state of our society. I mean, it’s common knowledge that the lexicographers employed at Oxford lack the expertise to dictate what word is fit to describe a whole year.
Don’t you hate being rage baited like that? That attempt to get you angry and the temptation to fall for it and make a fool of yourself. Oxford claims that the reasoning for choosing rage bait as its Word of the Year is because it explores what gets people hooked and how it reflects society’s digital well-being.
And for Gen Z, I would say we could improve our digital well-being. Because if you’re like me, you probably got irritated that Oxford chose a two-word phrase to receive an award that contains a title suggesting it belongs to one word. And if I got rage baited by Oxford’s choice of its Word of the Year, I need to step back from my phone for a bit. Ironically, this phrase invokes its definition because it received an award that it contradicts.
Although I would consider rage bait a phrase and not a word, I agree with Oxford that rage bait accurately describes our digitally acclaimed generation, and if Gen Z had their own Word of the Year Award, I can see rage bait being considered. But not chosen, because that contradiction is unsatisfying.
I believe that Gen Z is a generation that has terrible digital ethics, and is the reason that rage bait is Oxford’s Word of the Year. Gen Z is susceptible, capable, and guilty of rage baiting daily. Though, of course, the intent is usually care-free, and the rage bait is directed towards friends.
To rage bait someone is embarrassing. And to be rage baited is equally embarrassing. It is embarrassing for every participant. The child-like cat-and-mouse game, poking someone till they blow, is embarrassing.
However, every generation likes to play and poke fun at each other, and I believe that type of rage baiting is harmless. And, to know what small, irrelevant thing that will make someone tick, shows how strong your relationship is. There is a connection in knowing that.
Many people who are a part of Gen Z paradoxically have a poor understanding of digital footprint, digital privacy, and the societal impact they are making with their online actions. For being a digital generation, there is a lack of education being provided. Digital ethics goes beyond cyberbullying, and people in every generation should start being aware of the moral compass of brand-name companies, not just your social media mutuals.
Gen Z rage baits, and so does every generation. But this generation’s way of specializing its usage for digital environments reflects the generation’s digital environment. And personally, I think we can improve our time spent online. Be mindful of what decisions lead to the most productive outcome for you. Is it: rage baiting your friend on a game or putting that phone down?
