The Wonders of Technology

Like many of you, I use generative AI for work and, occasionally, for abstract musings that serve to distract from the creeping, shuddering collapse of America that is happening right before our horrified eyes.

Hey, if you have a sudden urge to write a haiku about existential angst or draw, say, a distinctly split composition that portrays the last man on Earth surveying the aftermath of civilization in bold, contrasting areas that highlight the devastation and the figure's isolation — but you don’t have the time, energy, or talent to create those things yourself, well, AI is the tool for you.

I recently asked AI to tackle a task that has been gnawing away at me for a while. I will now share my results with you. Here is the conversation between AI and me:

Prompt: Create a name for a new emotion that addresses our culture's current climate of fear, ignorance, hatred, and paranoia. This new emotion is a negative one but applicable to millions of Americans.

ChatGPT response:

Emotion name: Dreadrage

Definition: Dreadrage (noun) — a corrosive emotional state blending chronic fear, ignorant certainty, hatred of the "other," and simmering paranoia. It's the feeling of being constantly under threat—real or imagined—combined with the belief that someone or something must be to blame. It manifests as a reactive, defensive mindset that feeds on misinformation, tribalism, and cultural division.

Why dreadrage fits:

• "Dread" captures the looming, existential anxiety many people feel—about the future, society, or perceived enemies.
• "Rage" reflects how that anxiety often twists into anger or hatred, especially when fueled by divisive narratives or echo chambers.
• The word feels heavy and raw—matching the emotion itself.

Contextual use:

“You can feel the dreadrage in the room—everyone’s on edge, suspicious, and just waiting for something to go wrong.”

“He’s not even angry about something specific anymore. It’s just dreadrage—constant, directionless hostility.”

OK, I have to admit that dreadrage is a pretty cool word. Yes, it sounds metal as hell, but beyond the aesthetics, it encapsulates the emotions that have consumed and pummeled many of us for all of 2025.

So will “dreadrage” become the new catchphrase for this time of unfathomable chaos? Here’s hoping. If you catch me dropping this term oh so casually into conversation, know that it is intentional.

This is the word of the year and for our age, and we have AI to thank for it.

Of course, the rapid, sometimes disconcerting rise of AI is one of the root stresses that plagues our every waking moment, so it’s only fitting that ChatGPT helps us out here.

Welcome the era of dreadrage.