this effect can be achieved using only css by combining the :has() and :not() pseudo-classes: `.menu:has(.item:hover) .item:not(:hover) { filter: blur(8px); }` which simply means: when a menu has a hovered item, blur every item inside it that isn't being hovered

sad that i don't use these nearly as much as I should, since they are widely supported now eg this video is from my old-old portfolio where I was doing it with react because didn't know any better lol btw here is a wonderful writeup on how to use it joshwcomeau.com/css/has/