Brain ___ (low-quality internet content)

ROT

Think of what happens to organic matter when it decomposes—this term also describes mindless, repetitive online material that feels just as unappealing.

This clue plays on the phrase "brain rot," a slang term for mindless or low-effort online content that feels like it’s decaying your brain. The blank hints at a short word that fits both the literal idea of decay ("rot") and the cultural shorthand for junk internet material. It’s a straightforward fill-in-the-blank with no tricky wordplay—just a modern, slightly humorous way to describe bad content.