“Reading is the ultimate antidote to brain rot.” – Katharine Gordon
In an era in which we are being overwhelmed by media, AI, and the once-heralded internet, how can we protect our mind? Katharine Gordon figured out the answer: Reading. Actual, long-form reading. Books, even. Read this from Gordon and sharpen and protect your brain:
Does overusing AI make you feel a little dumb?
Reading is the ultimate antidote👇
In the era of AI, we all need to be vigilant about how we use our brains.
Consuming short-form content and using AI are becoming our go-to leisure activities.
And reading is the best defence we have against a total descent into a world of slop.
Here are 10 reasons why reading is a non-negotiable for me:
1️⃣ It sharpens your brain
Studies show it can slow cognitive decline and even help prevent dementia.
2️⃣ It reduces stress
A good book pulls you out of your head and into another world, calming the nervous system.
3️⃣ It expands your vocabulary
The more you read, the more words you learn and can draw from.
4️⃣ It strengthens memory
Following characters, plotlines, and ideas trains your brain to hold information.
5️⃣ It builds analytical thinking
Reading forces you to interpret, question, and connect ideas.
6️⃣ It improves focus
Reading is one of the few activities that trains sustained attention.
(And we can all use more of that these days!)
7️⃣ It makes you a better writer
Reading is how you absorb rhythm, structure, and voice.
8️⃣ It fuels creativity
The more you read, the more raw material your brain has to reinterpret into something new.
9️⃣ It gives you perspective
Books put you inside other people’s lives, minds, and experiences. That’s empathy.
🔟 It’s the best defence against AI slop
If you know what great writing looks like, you can spot mediocre AI content in seconds.
I’m not saying you need to pick up a copy of War and Peace.
There are so many ways to incorporate daily reading into your life.
Even just 20 minutes a day can make a huge difference in how you think, feel, and perceive.
There is poetry on Instagram, essays on Substack, and newsletters in absolutely every niche you can imagine.
Whatever it is you fancy, don’t let your brain go to waste.
You only get the one.
© 2026 Katharine Gordon
Darrick Dean 