Even though the internet is largely populated by cat videos and memes, it also has some intelligent stuff. But you need to know where to find it, if you want the web to boost your brain and not blast it.

A while back, we compiled a mega-list of 35 brainy sites for you to read more intelligent content. This new list has only five more, but we find ourselves going back to them a lot. Don't miss out on these.

1. Wait But Why (Web): Intelligent Yet Funny

This has fast become one of my favorite sites on the internet. Tim Urban writes about things both profound and trivial at Wait But Why. But no matter the subject, he dives deep into it and understands it from all angles, before offering an informative but humorous take.

For example, take his post on putting time in perspective. He charts recognizable time periods through colored bars to create a wonderful way of putting time in perspective. And then there are the slightly more personal but insightful reads, like the one on "clueyness."

Wait But Why isn't updated regularly, but its archives have plenty of reading material on all sorts of subjects. Dive in, you'll have a great time. It's one of the funniest reads on the web.

2. LessWrong (Web): Intensely Smart

LessWrong might just be the smartest portal on the internet. It's a community of individuals whose entire aim is to improve their reasoning ability.

Start with a series of blog posts that explain the community's attitude towards rationality and discussing it. You can even download it as an ebook. The essays are an excellent, thought-provoking read.

LessWrong isn't based around discussing what's happening in the world right now. It's a more rounded understanding and discussion of logic and decision-making.

3. Information Is Beautiful (Web): When Graphs Are Better Than Words

Who says you can only learn things by reading? Information Is Beautiful is a data-driven site that puts important numbers and figures into gorgeous infographics.

It's a new way of looking at information, and more often than not it will register in your memory. It can be a map of what every country is the best at or a summary of all the medical conditions you're at risk of. Admit it, if you read this as lines upon lines of text, you might get bored or not read it at all.

Use the menu bar at the top left of the site to check out recent, popular, and interactive infographics. Some of them are as gorgeous as the interactive mini-sites made by the BBC.

4. Real Life Lore (YouTube): Animated Informational Videos

If you've wondered about some phenomenon, chances are, Real Life Lore has dove into it. The YouTube channel is a bit like XKCD's What If, in that it gives in-depth answers to weird questions. But it's not all hypothetical here.

Real Life Lore explores both fantasy scenarios as well as reality. Through short videos, it gives you a detailed explanation of things to broaden your mind. For example, about how the ocean is deeper than you think, or how the world map looks different than what you're used to.

Like more famous YouTube counterparts Minute Physics or ASAP Science, you can spend hours at Real Life Lore. It's one of those educational YouTube channels made for marathon viewing.

5. TED Ideas (Web): The Official Blog of TED

There are some excellent alternatives to TED talks to grow your intelligence, but hey, TED is still awesome. And one of its unheralded stars is the TED Ideas blog.

At Ideas, you'll find essays and articles on diverse topics which still fall under the broad categories of Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED). Like with most talks, the purpose of these posts is to expand your mind and challenge your preconceived notions. Think bigger!

The Ideas blog is updated multiple times a week, so you will find something new to read easily. You should especially check out the "We Humans" category for some incredible reads about the world around us.

What's Your Daily Brain Boost?

These sites are excellent fodder for when you want to grow your mind, but you might not follow them daily. Personally, I love learning new things through Reddit's /r/TodayILearned posts. Where do you get your daily brain boost?

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