Cutting back on the news

Grampa Don

Grampa Don

Yep, that's me
Location
Orange county, Calif.
It dawned on me a while back that I had become a news junky. I was reading and watching multiple news sources multiple times a day. And, it mostly left me disillusioned or angry. Bad people are saying and doing bad things and stupid people are saying and doing stupid things. Most news is a real downer, globally and locally.

And from a pragmatic view, what can I do about it? How much ability do I have to make any difference? Practically none. Other than trying to do right in my own little world, I can only vote for what I believe. And, I do that.

So, I decided that the bulk of the news is noise I don’t need. Now, I have one source, my daily paper that I read on the internet. Each morning I scan the headings, and if there is an article that interests me I read it. Politics, crime, violence and tragedies I just scan the heading. I can live without the details. Editorials; mostly no. Celebrity news; hell no. Sports; I’m not a sports fan. Comics;except political cartoons, sure. I no longer watch newscasts either. I get my weather report on the internet.

I’ve had withdrawal symptoms. In the afternoon I catch myself thinking about checking the news to see what’s happening. But, I resist the temptation. It will be there in my morning paper. And, I think it has improved my disposition. News sources play with our emotions. They want to get us riled up so we will continue to watch and read them. I can live without that.

Am I being a lunkhead?

Don
 

Don, I was never a news junkie, but my husband always followed the news happenings for many years. Since I retired I've watched more news than I have all of my life. Your correct that the bulk of the news these days is a lot of noise, they report in a way to make catchy headlines and gain viewers.

I like to keep up to date by watching just a little bit from a couple of news outlets, to hear both sides of the story. Each side I take with a grain of salt. Like you, when it comes time for me to vote I learn as much information as I can to make an informed decision.

Watching the 'news' in excess nowadays serves no purpose in my opinion, we don't need to hear everything repeated 20 times a day with a biased spin, we are smart enough to listen to what we need to know and separate from the rest of the noise, life is too short to get all riled up with the rest of the loyal 'viewers'. You're not a lunkhead at all. :)
 
I agree with you, Don. I get so steamed watching the spin put on things; even network news (not cable) is annoying.
 

I always wonder when the news is bombarded with one topic...What is really going on that they don't want you to know about.

I watch too much, I'm sure..We record it and catch up from day to day.

I think it's important to be informed but at the same time you got to have a life outside of it all.
 
Seeker said:
I think it's important to be informed but at the same time you got to have a life outside of it all.
Click to expand...

I agree Seeker, everything in moderation, including the news. If there's really something new we need to know about, we'll be aware of it and then we can listen to what's going on.
 
It drove me crazy keeping up with the media circus. Since my GF of 16 years has broken up with me, I can't tolerate the news. Watching people play games with our lives is even more depressing now.
 
RadishRose said:
If only we cold get just news. Not commentary, not opinions, no interviews, just the facts and nothing but the facts. Just tell us what happened, don't tell us why. (unless it is a fact, not because someone thinks so)
Click to expand...

That's what news used to be ...not so anymore....Sad..
 
Seeker said:
That's what news used to be ...not so anymore....Sad..
Click to expand...

Yes, Seeker. At least one outlet should be that way; others can do the blah blah blah. There wouldn't be enough facts probably to be on 24/7, but I'd rather that, than bloated with BS.

Besides, there's other news besides just politics, war and celebrities.
 
I've always figured that the corrupt were so brazen because people would either want to emulate the corruption, believe that no one could be that heartless, or just just get overwhelmed and stop caring. The news counts on public figures being horrible and fashion changing, so they can get advertisers. I wonder how much they take into the account people getting overwhelmed and ignoring the news.
 
RadishRose said:
If only we could get just news. Not commentary, not opinions, no interviews, just the facts and nothing but the facts. Just tell us what happened, don't tell us why. (unless it is a fact, not because someone thinks so)
Click to expand...

That is so true. I have this morning tried twice to catch up on the news. On the first occasion, it was focusing on sport...the second time on a fictional tv programme. That is NOT news. The trouble is that, the tv news channels have become like the newspapers...they are having an identity crisis..they think they are magazines.
 
Keeping up with local news is important. The police depend on citizens to help when crimes are committed, especially in neighborhoods. Sometimes, people see things that they don’t think much about. Then, they read the paper or watch the local TV news and think, “Hey, I remember seeing that car, person, or whatever.” They will sometimes call the police and give them their information and it’s at that point, the tip could become a lead.

You may be amazed at how many crimes have been solved by citizens giving the cops a lead.
 
Grampa Don said:
Am I being a lunkhead?

Don
Click to expand...
Absolutely not, Don. You're head is on perfectly straight. I agree with your approach entirely.

The "news" industry is BIG business driven solely by profits and influence. The last thing in the world any news organization is interested in is you being a well informed citizen. The only things you would be likely to gain from them are digestive disorders and high blood pressure.

For the individual, gathering honest, accurate information these days is hard work. If something is happening that significantly affects me, and if there is a way in which I can significantly affect the course or outcome of events, then I may do the work, get the real facts and take appropriate action. Otherwise, I scan the headlines periodically and move on. Life is too short . . .

:eek:k:
 
While I understand the whole "depression is a disease" thing, I feel that depression is rampant, these days, because we live in a depressing world, where the internet brings ever more terrible news to your computer screen, daily. I want to stop following the news, but that's tough, for me. I'm working on it.
 
I'm a news junkie too. I agree with the posting from Radish Rose --- news or commentary? It's (to me), next to useless to watch any of the major American stations because they have a single issue de jour and bring in a bunch of pundits to endlessly speculate and give opinions. That's not news. I prefer print such as New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Online, I usually go to BBC, NPR, or some newspapers in other countries such as Canada where I can still get news stories without subscribing.
I'm with you on 'non news'. I have zero interest in celebrity, zero interest in sports, no comics.
I guess I don't get 'riled up'. I have a need, perhaps obsession, to try to keep up with things. Perhaps you're focusing too much on political? There is a wealth of news out there that I think is important, but non-political. Why not keep up with advancements in tech, science, environmental, etc.? It's all 'news', and part of a learning process. The more you know, the easier it is to assimilate new info.
 
I try and avoid watching the news at all costs. Anything that’s truly important leaks onto channels while watching other stuff.
News is big $ business that relies on promoting terrible things to keep people happy. We are a strange lot at times.
 
Retiredtraveler -- As I wrote, I do read articles that interest me. And, that includes tech, science, etc. But, many of these are BS as presented in major news sources. Any time you see the word "may" used in an article, you can figure it's blue sky stuff. There are web sites that specialize in technical news and I find them more reliable.

Don
 
Grampa Don said:
It dawned on me a while back that I had become a news junky. I was reading and watching multiple news sources multiple times a day. And, it mostly left me disillusioned or angry. Bad people are saying and doing bad things and stupid people are saying and doing stupid things. Most news is a real downer, globally and locally.

And from a pragmatic view, what can I do about it? How much ability do I have to make any difference? Practically none. Other than trying to do right in my own little world, I can only vote for what I believe. And, I do that.

So, I decided that the bulk of the news is noise I don’t need. Now, I have one source, my daily paper that I read on the internet. Each morning I scan the headings, and if there is an article that interests me I read it. Politics, crime, violence and tragedies I just scan the heading. I can live without the details. Editorials; mostly no. Celebrity news; hell no. Sports; I’m not a sports fan. Comics;except political cartoons, sure. I no longer watch newscasts either. I get my weather report on the internet.

I’ve had withdrawal symptoms. In the afternoon I catch myself thinking about checking the news to see what’s happening. But, I resist the temptation. It will be there in my morning paper. And, I think it has improved my disposition. News sources play with our emotions. They want to get us riled up so we will continue to watch and read them. I can live without that.

Am I being a lunkhead?

Don
Click to expand...
I have felt the same way and stopped watching it for awhile. However, the fear has been put it me that if I stop watching the news I will miss something important. I don't know what but I did miss a few important things when I missed it a few days. One was a favorite person of mine passing. I do understand so much is hype and drama and I tell myself that when they have breaking news that doesn't seem like much. Best wishes to you on this.
 
911 said:
Keeping up with local news is important. The police depend on citizens to help when crimes are committed, especially in neighborhoods. Sometimes, people see things that they don’t think much about. Then, they read the paper or watch the local TV news and think, “Hey, I remember seeing that car, person, or whatever.” They will sometimes call the police and give them their information and it’s at that point, the tip could become a lead.

You may be amazed at how many crimes have been solved by citizens giving the cops a lead.
Click to expand...

Good point, 911!
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top