I recently stumbled on the fact that brain rot was word of the year, according to The Oxford University Press. What is Brain Rot, you may ask? Well, if you have to ask, take it as a good sign that you haven’t been afflicted by this “disease”. According to The Oxford Press, ‘Brain rot’ is defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. We’re not talking about the occasional reality TV binge or scrolling through your phone while on the train. Rather, it’s the overconsumption of online content to the point where it negatively affects one’s life.
For a while, I found myself stuck in this cycle of doomscrolling, constantly refreshing the feed, absorbing lots of “takes”, yet I would end up feeling drained rather than informed. I wanted to break out of that loop and engage with the real world in a way that is enjoyable, enriching, and balanced. I wanted to ‘touch grass‘ (brainrot language). So I made some changes.
Here’s what I’m turning to instead of turning to mindless scrolling:
Vanity Fair: A bit of gossip, A lot of substance
I’ve always dreamed of lounging in my NYC apartment, girly pop playing in the background, and a stack of magazines by my side, which is very main character energy. So last year, after being relentlessly stalked by Vanity Fair ads (thank you, website cookies), I finally gave in and subscribed to the print edition.
Now? The highlight of my month is opening my mailbox to find the latest issue.
Vanity Fair is so much more than a glossy cover. It’s the perfect mix of serious journalism, cultural deep dives, and the kind of rich-people gossip that’s piping hot without being brain-rotting. Think art world scandals, media power plays, and just enough pettiness to keep it spicy. Check out the archives for interesting articles as well.
New York Times:
I used to think The New York Times was just for Very Serious People who read about politics before breakfast, but it turns out, it’s way more layered than that. These days, it’s one of my favorite ways to stay plugged in without losing my sanity.
There’s the obvious news coverage, but also cultural commentary, arts features, fashion critiques, niche internet moments, and the occasional rich-people drama, all delivered with that signature NYT tone that makes everything feel just a little more important (in a good way).
And then there’s NYT Cooking, which I’m obsessed with. I love saving recipes I may or may not ever make, lemony roasted chicken wings, yogurt cakes, but even just browsing makes me feel like the kind of person who always has fresh herbs on hand.
Let’s not forget the crossword puzzle, which humbles me regularly. I get about seven clues in before I start questioning everything I thought I knew. And the other games? Still don’t fully understand how to play Connections or Spelling Bee, but I try anyway, out of sheer hope and delusion.