Editorial: Brain Rot

Who enjoys living with pain? If we exclude people with masochistic tendencies, nobody. But there seems to be more to pain than what meets the eye. Brian Turk explains how pain is actually a blessing in disguise. “Pain is the body’s alarm system that we cannot ignore and should be thankful for,” writes Turk. “Whenever an organ is in distress, it alerts the brain. In turn, the brain prioritizes that organ by sending back a specialized signal—one that we perceive as pain.” Turk further explores different types of pains and what they are telling us about the condition of our body.

“Multitasking” has been one of the most popular qualities that needed to be checked for job applications. Many applicants aspired to be like acrobats joggling multiple balls while jumping over their head while walking a tight rope. This “virtue” is not as popular as it used to be. Let alone being popular, it is probably not possible, in the first place. Matt Alley writes, “The human brain is not wired to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.” According to Alley, multitasking, or rather attempting it, is a cause of stress in our lives and it chips away at our relationships.

It is not rare that we have to throw away bananas, berries, and other types of food which rot so quickly on our kitchen countertops. And there are other more crucial things in our lives, that also rot over time. Zeynep Orhan in this issue explains “brain rot,” a term selected by Oxford University Press as “Word of the Year” in 2024. According to Orhan, "brain rot" is “the gradual deterioration of our ability to focus, think deeply, and engage meaningfully with the world around us” and it “has moved from marginal concern to mainstream discussion.” Orhan suggests a major path to a healthy state of being is through a “digital detox.” Her piece offers a useful perspective on leading a more balanced life where we maintain a healthy mindset.

Where to go, then, in this age of mental pollution, pain, and overloaded lifestyles? Bob Rich reflects on his shopping experience at the monthly community market in his town. As he walks through the stalls with his trolley, he observes people and their interactions. What starts as a routine errand transforms into a meditation, making us all envy his state of joy, as we walk alongside him.

Also in this issue are reflection pieces on the solar eclipse and the green color that is so dominant in nature. In the Lead Article, we read about “patience,” and why holding onto it is essential for true success in this life.