Why Your Brain Needs Books More Than TikToks ๐๐
The simple content shifts that will help you grow faster.
Imagine walking into a grocery store.
On one side, thereโs a shelf stocked with chips, candy, and sodaโbright, tempting, and designed to hook you instantly.
On the other side, thereโs fresh produce, grains, and high-quality ingredientsโless flashy, but packed with the nutrients your body craves.
Now, think of this as your content diet.
๐ Ultra-Processed Food = Social Media
Itโs quick, itโs everywhere, and itโs engineered to grab your attention.
Just like junk food, social media gives you that instant hitโdopamine spikes from likes, shares, and bite-sized posts.
But spend too long scrolling, and youโll feel drained, not nourished.
Itโs empty calories for your brain. ๐๐ฑ
๐ฒ Minimally-Processed Food = Podcasts, Newsletters, Niche Communities
This is your hearty mealโcontent that takes more effort to consume but delivers more value.
A well-curated newsletter or an engaging podcast dives deeper, giving you substance without overwhelming you.
Niche communities? Theyโre like your favorite home-cooked mealโpersonal, thoughtful, and shared with people who care about the same things you do.
Itโs the balance your mind needs to grow. ๐ฅ๐ง๐
๐ Nutrient-Dense Food = Books
Books are the slow-roasted, nutrient-packed feast for your brain.
They require time and attention, but they reward you with depth, perspective, and long-lasting insights.
Whether itโs a thought-provoking non-fiction piece or an immersive novel, books are the premium fuel for your mind.
They donโt just feed you; they transform you. ๐โจ
Whatโs Your Content Diet? ๐ฑ
Like food, the content you consume shapes how you think, feel, and grow.
If your plate is overflowing with ultra-processed snacks, youโll crave quick hits but feel empty.
Add more balanced, less-processed options to sustain you, and make room for the books thatโll truly nourish your mind.
Start small:
๐ Commit to reading just one book a month.
๐ Replace 10 minutes of scrolling with a podcast.
๐ฌ Join a niche community instead of hopping from one trending post to the next.
Over time, youโll notice the difference: sharper focus, deeper insights, and more meaningful growth.
๐ก Imagine This
What if you treated your content diet like your food diet?
Whatโs one โjunkโ habit you could swap for something more nourishing today?
Letโs hear it belowโwhatโs your next content upgrade? ๐
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Alberto
P.S. Yupโฆ I rebranded this newsletter as Smarter Engineers ๐ก (formerly Algorithmically Speaking). Let me know what you think.
I fully agree with this article. This year, I started reading one book per week. I just began my 4th book already!
Really dig this analogy. As someone who follows mostly a plant-based whole food diet, with an occasional bag of Fritos mixed in, I should aspire to do the same with my contact consumption!