At 2:29 a.m., I watched a 10-hour YouTube loop of a swinging pendulum. Somehow, each swing felt like a lullaby for my cortex. So I asked: why are loops so mesmerizing?
Neuroscience suggests predictability engages our pattern-seeking neurons—the basal ganglia light up when we detect and anticipate cycles. Music producers exploit this with earworms; marketing uses looping GIFs to trap attention. Even meditation apps leverage looping mantras to quiet the mind.
But loops can also be sinister. Social media’s infinite scroll is a feedback loop optimized to hijack dopamine receptors—each new post is “just one more hit.” Under the glow of my laptop, I realized loops are a double-edged sword: they soothe and they ensnare.
Next time you fall into a late-night loop, remember: you’re both the observer and the orbiter. Break the cycle by closing the tab—or lean into it and enjoy the rhythm. After all, chaos curated (kind of) thrives on repetition.