The internet is a choose-your-own-adventure place, but it can sometimes feel like too many roads lead to doomscrolling. In an effort to suggest more joyful destinations, The Atlantic's writers and editors answer the question: What's your favorite way to spend time online' In moments of chaos, I want to play The Sims. Lately, I've been playing it a lot. I've had various iterations of the game since I was a child, when there was such a thing as a 'computer room' and games were bought at Best Buy as very precious, very scratchable CD-ROMs. Give me the soothing, dulcet tones of the 'Create a Sim' music while I pick my Sim's new party outfit and personality traits (Art Lover, Nosy, Lactose Intolerant). Or the cheap thrill of having everyone at the same virtual table eat the same food at the same time (harder than you might think). Or the humble reminder that a kitchen stove can catch fire at a moment's notice. What better salve for reality than micromanaging other people's lives, in...
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