It’s been a year of “deliberate agitation.” Witness Oxford University Press’ announcement that rage bait was Word of the Year. Compare with last year’s word brain rot: “outrage sparks engagement, algorithms amplify it, and constant exposure leaves us mentally exhausted.” Eliciting anger grabs attention, offers personal gain, promotes political sway – all in a marketplace… Continue reading ‘Rage bait’ – word of the year 2025