SUBLIMINAL MESSAGING IN BRAIN ROT???

If you’re familiar with the current state of the internet, you will be introduced to the term “brain rot.” Brain rot is a genre of media currently going viral on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube shorts. It is meant to describe the meaningless and seemingly unending stream of highly stimulating content. Using catchy songs and flashy visuals, these short clips aim to draw the viewer in, encouraging them to keep scrolling. It started with Skibiddy Toilet, a character from a YouTube series that children fell in love with. However, the efficacy of this form of content, especially amongst the youth, causes me to question whether it is safe. That is to say, what does it mean?

At first glance, someone would say this venture is a fool’s errand—it is meaningless children’s entertainment, after all. However, it does not stop at children. I myself have found this content appearing on my feed. A closer look finds my other college-aged peers also liking and sharing this content. So, to limit the exposure to children would be a gross misrepresentation of the power of this form of media. 

Most recently, Italian users have utilized Artificial Intelligence to create new characters that have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram. Two notable brain rot characters are “Trala-lero-tralala” and “Bomberdilo Crocodilo.” The clips being played out seem harmless for American and generally non-Italian-speaking audiences. They show a shark with sneakers and legs on the beach and a crocodile resembling a World War II-era B-12 bomber. Children and adults are resharing these clips without knowing what the characters represent.

That is the crux of the matter: subliminal messaging that inadvertently spreads misinformation. 

The original clip of Tralalerotralala and subsequent clips that are reshared include the following audio clip: “Tralalerotralala, porco dio, Porco Allah.” Again, to non-Italian-speaking audiences, upon hearing such meaningless gibberish, you would think nothing of it. Although Tralalerotralala is a made-up term, the following “porco dio porco Allah” does mean something and is quite concerning. 

Tralalerotralala:

It translates to “pig God, pig Allah.” What seemed like a harmless cartoon character actually served as a medium to carry out Islamophobic remarks—furthering the misinformed, xenophobic, and ill-intentioned hate speech of bad actors.  

The case for “Bomberdilo-Crocodilo” is no better; his Italian audio clip describes the character as “A crocodile that is also a bomber jet that loves to bomb children in Gaza.” Again, it is a seemingly harmless cartoon character that hides hate speech within its disarming demeanor.

Bomberdilo Crocodilo:

Such blatant hateful remarks slipping through the cracks require closer inspection of the media we consume, so here’s a step-by-step guide to better prepare the average audience member to be more aware of the subliminal messaging present within brain rot.

Step 1: Take note of what you consume.

What are you watching, and why are you watching it? By asking and answering these questions, you can help determine which content is valid and which isn’t true. 

Step 2: What does it mean?

This is incredibly important when consuming media from another country or language. Trying to figure out what is being said can make an individual privy to any hidden messaging. 

Step 3: Cross Reference.

Look for notable sources to cross-reference the translations and interpretations you find. Scholars and experts can typically help form a well-rounded opinion that can guard against hateful and misinformative media. 

These clips were reshared by millions, unaware of the content hidden within its audio. They thrived unquestioned, passed off as gibberish dribble for weeks until recently.

Sheikhs and Scholars of Islam proficient in Italian caught on to what was being shared and started a media campaign to counter the adverse effects of these brain rot characters.

The rise to prominence of these clips shows that short-term media audiences are largely unaware of what they are consuming. By becoming more proactive and taking charge, the effects of misinformation and hate speech can be curbed.