The cages that we build
with screens
with updates, likes and chats
with never sitting down to eat
discuss or face a friend.
We watch the stories, reels
of people eating
brewing, baking
sometimes making stuff
believing it’s for real
if we never use our hands
except to swipe.
Trapped in brain-rot
with kicks of dopamine
fenced inside
not comprehending
that addiction also comes
from poisoned Apples.
Raoul Ubac
Today Melissa hosts dVerse Poetics with a prompt where we listen and get inspired by the lyrics of Folsom Prison Blues. For me the thought of prison today is the one we are building for ourselves with (a)social networks.
January 13, 2026
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Bjorn, addiction as much as any pill, powder, or needle.
I love where it took you, Björn. This has a very ominous feel. The Apples are indeed poisoned.
Well observed and written, Björn. I worry for the future of society. As much as I love being part of our virtual pub and other writing communities, the rest of the internet is brain rot.
Dopamine…YUM
Hard-hitting and true, Bjorn…as i tap on my Apple.
Brilliant poem Bjorn, I have really struggled with this prison that we have all stepped into willingly. I long for a good face to face conversation that has some depth and not just the toxic positivity conversations that people seem to prefer these days.