“Brainrot” and the impact of AI on human cognition

I was browsing through TechCrunch last Sunday when I stumbled upon an article that left me scratching my head. The title read “PDF-to-brainrot study tools are a strange iteration on a TikTok trend.” (see https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/20/pdf-to-brainrot-study-tools-are-a-strange-iteration-on-a-tiktok-trend/). I had to click on it, if only to understand what on earth “brainrot” referred to.

As I delved into the article, I discovered that “brainrot” is a colloquial term that originated on the internet, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. It refers to the supposed effects of excessive consumption of low-quality, algorithm-driven content, such as endless scrolling through feeds or watching hours of AI-generated videos. The term is often used to describe the feeling of mental fatigue, decreased attention span, and a general sense of cognitive decline that can result from this type of behavior. (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_rot)

The article specifically talked about a trend on TikTok where users are creating “study tools” that involve converting PDFs into AI-generated audio or video content. The twist? These tools are designed to be so boring and monotonous that they’re almost hypnotic. The creators claim that this helps them focus and retain information better.

Now, I’m not here to debate the effectiveness of these study tools or the validity of the “brainrot” concept. What struck me, though, was the sheer creativity and resourcefulness of these TikTok users. They’re taking a trend that started as a joke and turning it into something that might actually be useful.

But here’s the thing: I’m concerned that this trend is a symptom of a larger issue. Both children and adults today are struggling to read beyond 10-30 minutes without getting distracted or feeling overwhelmed. We’re constantly seeking simplification and summarization, relying on AI tools to break down complex information into bite-sized chunks. While this might seem convenient, I worry that it’s severely impacting our ability to form nuanced judgments and think critically.

As we increasingly rely on AI to provide context and information, we risk losing the ability to engage with complex ideas and arguments in a meaningful way. We’re trading depth for breadth, sacrificing the richness of human understanding for the convenience of instant gratification. I hope that we can recognize the value of slow, deliberate reading and thinking, and make a conscious effort to preserve these skills in the face of an increasingly AI-driven world.