The European Journal of Cultural Studies released a Cultural Commons special issue titled Brainrot, AI slop, and the enshittification of the Internet. From the abstract:
What we will suggest is that the terms brainrot, AI slop, and enshittification signal a new phase of digital capitalism—one emerging in the wake of generative AI’s widespread integration into the foundations of platform culture. These concepts, we argue, exemplify a further intensification of what has been described as ‘platform capitalism’ (Srnicek, 2016) or, more recently, ‘vibes’ capitalism (James, 2025), where attention, data, and affect are relentlessly mined for value.
Ever feel like the authour is trying to pick a fight with you, Dear Reader?
There are two words after a person says “Don’t worry…” which trigger the opposite response in me and those are “… I’m armed!”
(currently reading 2666 and this is how he ends a chapter. 😊)
This photo came up in my memories: a massive tapestry that took 1.5 years to complete and depicts 38 kinds of flowers. I wrote a bit about the Kyoto State Guest House a few years ago (with photos of its many modern treasures)
Just before my very last semester of uni I borrowed money to fly to Japan and rescue my long-distance relationship. Was supposed to be only 7 days. Patched things up (we married!) but then all airports shut down and I was stuck. Got a job at a local uni as a translator. 25 years ago today.
Immediately had to switch to Gnome. So I am now setup with Zen Browser, Bitwarden, Obsidian, Fastmail, all syncing. This is a good setup for my away missions into Z-Space. Just need to sort out the key bindings and I will feel productive.
I migrated from 1Password to BitWarden, installed Linux on my MacBook, then went for a walk in the forest around the lake with the fam. How is your Labour Day weekend going?
Wish I’d read this when it came out but tbh I don’t think I would have got it at the time. Can see why it was popular, but also why it was dismissed. Don’t usually read “cultural criticism” but was a fun lens to explore political philosophy
Made it to 100 pages of 893 in 2666 by Roberto Bolaño 📚
Wow, the detail, the sidebars, the swerves and yaw. I can see how this could be tiring, but so far loving it.
Surgery complete. Now officially a cyborg. (Unfortunately not a centaur)
Back on my archery shi 🏹
“building a generator of alternative energy”
Remember folks, this is what we are doing together.
Rode my bike down to the Biodiversity Park and took a selfie with a young 200 year tree! 🌲🚴
