Toggle Menu

How Brain-Rot AI Is Upending the Internet

On this episode of Tech Won't Save Us, Jason Koebler on the proliferation of AI-generated images.

Paris Marx

May 1, 2025

A man holds a phone, displaying “brain rot” in London, United Kingdom on December 2, 2024.(Rasid Necati Aslim / Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

How Brainrot AI is Upending the Internet w/ Jason Koebler | Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of Tech Won't Save Us, Paris Marx is joined by Jason Koebler to discuss the economy behind AI slop generation, how people are building businesses on AI-generated images, and the wider consequences of their proliferation on social media. 

Jason Koebler is a cofounder of 404 Media and cohost of the 404 Media Podcast.

Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode of Tech Won’t Save Us, I’m joined by Jason Koebler to discuss the economy behind AI slop generation, how people are building businesses on AI-generated images, and the wider consequences of their proliferation on social media. 

Jason Koebler is a cofounder of 404 Media and cohost of The 404 Media Podcast.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.

The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Europe is Gutting Its Tech Regulations w/ Aline Blankertz | Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

Paris Marx is joined by Aline Blankertz to discuss how right-wing governments and international corporations in the European Union are pushing to gut tech regulations with the goal of boosting AI development in hope of improving economic growth and geopolitical standing.

Aline Blankertz is a cofounder of Structural Integrity.

Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Paris MarxParis Marx is a tech critic and host of the Tech Won’t Save Us podcast. He writes the Disconnect newsletter and is the author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation.


Latest from the nation