Axel Burlin: Beyond Brain Rot

In this episode, Eric talks with Axel Burlin, author of Beyond Brain Rot, about internet addiction, algorithmic feeds, and why so many well-intentioned attempts to “use your phone less” quietly fail.

Axel shares his own experience growing up online, from video games and forums to endless scrolling, and how a breaking point during college led him to rethink not just his habits but the assumptions behind them. Rather than relying on willpower, blockers, or dopamine detoxes, Axel outlines a mindset-level shift that reframes algorithmic feeds as something fundamentally misaligned with how we want to live.

The conversation explores how modern platforms quietly replace boredom, reflection, and community with hyper-stimulating content that feels productive in the moment and hollow afterward. Eric and Axel also discuss responsibility versus system-level blame, how brain rot differs from ordinary distraction, and what it looks like to keep the useful parts of the internet while removing the rest.

They cover:

What “brain rot” actually refers to, both the content and the outcome
Why algorithmic feeds are different from intentional internet use
How gaming, social media, and short-form video hook attention differently
Why most screen-time fixes fail after a few days
The hidden opportunity cost of scrolling
How feeds contribute to loneliness and the erosion of community
Practical ways to remove algorithmic entertainment without going offline
What a healthier relationship with technology looks like day to day

This episode is a grounded conversation for anyone who senses they’re spending too much time online but hasn’t found an approach that actually sticks.

Episode Links