How I Replaced My Algorithmic Feed with RSS

The Problem

I spent 45 minutes every morning scrolling through Twitter, not because I wanted to, but because the algorithm knew exactly how to keep me there. The infinite feed, the engagement metrics, the FOMO — it was all designed to capture my attention, not serve my interests.

The Solution: RSS

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an open protocol that lets you subscribe to content sources directly. No algorithms, no engagement optimization, no infinite scroll. Just the content you choose, delivered when it's published.

Step 1: Choose an RSS Reader

I tested three options:

• Reeder (macOS/iOS) — Beautiful, syncs via iCloud, $10 one-time
• NetNewsWire (macOS/iOS) — Free, open source, fast
• Fluent Reader (Windows) — Free, modern UI

I chose Reeder for its polish and reliability.

Step 2: Find Your Sources

Instead of following people on Twitter, I subscribed to their blogs:

Most blogs have an RSS feed at /feed or /rss.

Step 3: Build Your Reading Ritual

I check my RSS reader once per day, at 9 AM, for 15 minutes. When I'm done, I'm done. There's no infinite feed to keep me scrolling.

Results

• Screen time: -35 minutes/day
• Articles read completely: +60%
• Anxiety about missing out: Gone

> "The algorithm doesn't care what you want. RSS does exactly what you tell it to." — Me, after one month

Tools Mentioned

• Reeder
• NetNewsWire
• Feedly — Web-based alternative