Link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/14/zuckerberg-short-form-video-cognitive-harm

Brain rot is real

If you think about it in light of the 1-9-90 rule, at least 90% of people are getting brain-rotted by passively consuming social media while a tiny minority are seeing benefits from posting

Mark Zuckerberg and other social media executives have repeatedly argued that current science doesn’t back up public concern. And it’s true that active social media use – connecting with friends and family, sharing updates, writing and creating content – can be psychologically and cognitively beneficial.

And it’s true that active social media use – ...writing and creating content – can be psychologically and cognitively beneficial.

Finally, research validates my habit of commenting without having read the article!

If I go onto Instagram, what used to be a platform for photos, my discover feed will be 90% video shorts. Zuck prefers the brain rot because it's better for the algorithm.

Any ideas on how to displace the short-form videos? I know there's some technical options within youtube, there's also old-fashioned exertion of parental control but the competition is for low friction, default behaviour, any ideas on how to make a more beneficial default?

I'd then in turn argue that science doesn't back up their claims either...

In the Max Headroom 80s sci-fi there was a problem with "blip-verts" overstimulating people's nervous system and making them explode. Doesn't seem so far fetched anymore.

Video shorts are easier to digest (no difficult reading) while holding your attention for longer than a static image likely would. It's a perfect recipe for brainrot, really

Don't give your kids ipads?

Or if you mean for yourself, you've got to do the hard work of developing new habits, like reading or socializing irl