Why does scrolling feel better than reading, thinking, or even resting? Why is scrolling addictive?

If you’ve ever thought “I’m cooked” but couldn’t stop scrolling, this is why.

Guest: Todd McGowan (Why Theory)

Chapters

0:00 – Intro + who Todd is

2:33 – Why scrolling feels so good (jouissance)

5:00 – Brainrot, Gen Z/Gen Alpha, and desire

14:54 – What brainrot actually is

17:36 – Memes, repetition, and absurd humor

23:45 – Numbers, recognition, and the algorithm

31:58 – AI, capitalism, fascism, and collapse

38:07 – How to resist the desire machine