At first glance, obsession indicates preoccupation. It gestures toward desire. Obsessions command our attention, motivate our actions, and are always top of mind.
But the etymology of obsession hints at a different story. The root of the word indicates the action of besieging, or, as we might say in today’s language, sitting. When you obsess, you place yourself before something—an object, a person, an idea, a task. This posture is not passive; it is active. Your presence is an investment. Your presence indicates your desire to absorb, encompass, and command. To learn.
Please note, we are not interested in stories of harassment, stalking, or unequal displays of power or abuse. Instead, tell us about your obsession with exoskeletons or your childhood obsession with reading the dictionary. Interrogate your obsession with tacos. What was the last thing you actively sat down to learn? Show us the space around obsession: what leads to it? What happens when it fades? Take us to the brink of obsession. Guidelines and links on Submittable or through the Brink website.
