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, constantely 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 lanaguge). So I made some changes.
Here’s what I’ve turning to instead of turning to mindless scrolling:
Vanity Fair: A bit of gossip, A lot of substance
I always dream of one day lying in my NYC apartment listening to girly pop music while reading loads of magazines. So last year, after being hounded by the Vanity Fair ads, and cookies. I decided to take their offer and subscribe to their print editions. So far, the highlight of my month has been opening my mailbox and seeing a new edition.
It’s much more than a glossy magazine. It’s the perfect mix of serious journalism, cultural deep dives, and the kind of rich-people gossip that are piping hot without being brain-rotting.