Chicago Cubs: 2016 World Series 10-Year Anniversary, Bregman, Assad

In a column for Bleedcubbieblue, the author discusses methods to combat digital fatigue, including a personal curriculum and brain stacking, while also touching on Chicago Cubs news and memories from the 2016 World Series victory.

The article begins by recalling the 10-year anniversary of the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series win, noting that millions of Chicagoans poured into the streets to celebrate the franchise’s biggest victory. It then shifts to an interview with Alex Bregman about the work that led to his Gold Glove win and mentions ongoing developments with pitcher Javier Assad and potential future moves for the Cubs.

Combating Digital Fatigue

The author addresses the current era of short attention spans and decreased critical thinking, attributing it in part to technology use. The average American spends about five hours a day looking at their phones. The column introduces trends aimed at countering digital habits like doomscrolling and phone dependency, focusing on two main methods: developing a personal curriculum and brain stacking.

A Personal Curriculum

A personal curriculum involves selecting specific topics or skills to explore in depth and creating a monthly learning plan. The author gives examples, such as listening to jazz albums and reading about its history, or watching videos and classic films about the Wild West. The process can be customized to individual interests, including hobbies, documentaries, podcasts, or structured lists like the BFI’s Top 250 movies. The author shares their own experience of watching every film on the BFI list to broaden their film knowledge.

Chicago Cubs: 2016 World Series 10-Year Anniversary, Bregman, Assad

Brain Stacking

Brain stacking is a practice of dedicating about an hour each day to activities that engage the brain, reducing phone time. This can include a sequence of activities like journaling, brain games, non-fiction reading, fiction reading, or crafting. The author describes their morning routine, which mixes in language learning with Duolingo. The goal is to keep the brain activated and focused on tasks other than looking at a phone.