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Boycott the news, for a better you.

i read the news fairly regularly, but really only because it's something interesting to pass the time. i guess it's nice to "know what's going on" but i also feel like you learn far more about the world from interacting within the world, rather than consuming media designed to describe it. and frankly, i can't think of a single instance of something i heard on the news improving my life beyond providing a topic for conversation.

so if it bothers you, i can't really see the harm in ignoring it.
 
As Jamshyd has correctly stated, find a different news source. Willful ignorance of the news can lead to a smaller, and less connected world for you. If you start to ignore the news, what is next?
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There is a difference between not watching the news and being willfully ignorant of the happenings in the world. What about just trusting that what you are meant to learn about will come to you? I hear about things that are going on all the time. Usually through word of mouth, and if it's something I'm interested in, I investigate more. Anything of large scale importance definitely gets around through word of mouth.

I'm not saying we should cover our ears and run away singing "LA LA LA!" anytime a current event comes up in conversation, or cover our eyes while we click away from the page that shows the headlines on our way to checking email. But some people really do sit and watch the news each night and it's almost always negative, and I don't think that is a very healthy nightly practice.

And honestly, as far as the source of news... I have listened to a lot of independent, free speech radio sort of news programs and they are just as negative as the crap you see on Fox News... the fact is, happy little stories that make you feel great are not on the news very often.... no matter what the source they usually tell you stuff that you have to worry about, not be thankful for.

I am attempting to live my life focusing on the stuff I have to be thankful for.
 
For those saying that 'better' sources of news are a greater alternative to boycotting news, have you tried not consuming any news for a period of time?

In this month(+), I've heard maybe one thing from somebody else about what's going on in the news. My life hasn't become one of isolation or seclusion. In fact, I'd say I might have become more social (as a result of less negativity sticking to me)...
 
I was talking to my therapist one day a few years back and she recommended not keeping up with the news because I freak out over that shit.
Best idea ever.
I'll browse the "odd news" section on yahoo while I'm at work but that's more for amusement than anything. I do glance at the local paper to see if there are any events or recipes or whatever, and in the process I get a quick rundown of what's going on in town.
Also, I talk to my patrons at work (library) when they check out the newspapers from me. I just say "anything interesting in the news?" or "so what's going on in the world?" and we talk about it for a while.
That's really enough for me.

I remember about 2 weeks ago I thought I'd "catch the evening news" and within 5 minutes I was depressed, anxious and about to cry. No thanks.
 
I think keeping up on the news is not intrinsically bad. A lot of news formats are though. If everything is from a dire perspectives, in bursts without follow up or context it tends not to be healthy. US cable news tends to be of this variety as the big network nightly news can be as well. Most television news would increase my insanity 8000% if I stayed glued to it.
 
jammy, what's there to disagree to? it works for some, it may not for others. i can (vaguely) imagine how it would be vastly different for those encouraged from a young age to be politically active, know that in this audience, this would be rare, and the opposite to be the general case. that is, those actively DIScouraged from activism.

it is really very unpleasent to be made aware of great injustices that one is both partially a part of and almost completely incapable of changing.
 
it is really very unpleasent to be made aware of great injustices that one is both partially a part of and almost completely incapable of changing.
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Exactly... incapable of changing. I used to actually feel a lot more like Jam does, so I can relate. I thought the way to help the world was to be very involved and care deeply about everything. I've never wanted to be one of those people living in their own little bubble in America and not giving a shit about starving people, war torn countries, etc.

I had sort of an awakening at one point though, and I realized that focusing on the suffering in the world was not the way to change anything. I can't change anything in the world without starting with myself, and the only way to spread positivity is to cultivate it. Watching news programs that focus on nothing but doom and gloom is not the way to feel empowered to make changes.

I feel similar about political activism. I used to be into war protests and things like that but over time I realized that I was pretty much constantly angry the more I focused and fought with how corrupt everything is.... and while I always believe in standing up for what is right and spreading truth, it isn't good or useful to be in a constant state of rage toward the people in charge of the world.

I've learned as I've gotten older to accept certain things... governments are corrupt (at least in the current state of reality we live in, not saying things couldn't change in some new era), there is suffering and pain in the world.... but now I try and live my life focusing on the beautiful, amazing things about the world and use the joy that gives me to send love and healing to all those who need it out there, instead of suffering along with them.
 
Impacto Profundo said:
in an environment where one is effectively powerless to make a difference, the news is toxic. most western news flavoured entertainment variety shows keep one in a state of powerlessness and apathy, and it is hard to remember how to be active and with a sense of power. sometimes it is healthy and wise not to be privvy to world affairs.
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I go for a week of reading nothing but the headlines and weather each month. I should not do this as I am contemplating changing careers to something where reading the news constantly will be a requirement.

People with depression are often news junkies like me. :\
 
Matsuo Munefusa. said:
I figured this one out 10 years ago. Fuck the news its pointless to watch. You know where I was the afternoon of 9/11? Outside tripping on mushrooms playing in the sunshine.
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Well, in the case of 9-11 I'd say watching the news was pretty important. I remember seeing the towers fall live... wow. That situation was unique and once in a great while though and I do agree with you about the dragging it on and on for weeks... but if anything THAT major ever happens again we are watching the news!
 
MynameisnotDeja said:
Well, in the case of 9-11 I'd say watching the news was pretty important.
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Man on 9/11 all they showed on the news was the towers getting hit/falling. Over and over and over and over and over and over again. All day. Every one of my teachers had the news on their tvs and that's pretty much all there was. And a couple of years later I was working for a lady who watched fox news 24/7 and on the anniversary of 9/11 they basically showed the towers falling on repeat. All day.
It's like, I think I got it the first 10 times thanks. :\
 
Impacto Profundo said:
it is really very unpleasent to be made aware of great injustices that one is both partially a part of and almost completely incapable of changing.
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hit the nail on tha mothafuckin head my friend like you so good at doing.

I best prefer to stay involved with local issues (autism for me) instead of international issues. I say if I can change something local that will have a much more profound effect on me and mine who are local.
 
MynameisnotDeja said:
Well, in the case of 9-11 I'd say watching the news was pretty important. I remember seeing the towers fall live... wow. That situation was unique and once in a great while though and I do agree with you about the dragging it on and on for weeks... but if anything THAT major ever happens again we are watching the news!
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in our off-the-grid cabin that we have to hike 3 miles through brush to get to where they cant run cable out to!?!?!?! OK! :D

you're goin to be way too busy anyway with our flock of babies we're going to crank out. You be barefoot ringin the dinner bell girl to get the chilluns up outta the holler down low.
 
I use a few different channels for the news and internet. Mostly because in some way it affects me or people I know.
The cost of rice and wheat is about to soar due to flooding and fires in other parts of the world so I (as sad as this sounds) went out and bought rice and flour before it goes up.
I don't find myself focusing on the constant death tolls from other countries nor do I spend time listening to all the negative points they always recap it on the sunday morning when doing the papers anyway.

I also like hearing other peoples point of views on a subject and hearing it from diferent angles. I never know it might change the way I feel about something or might change my point of view, or make me think less of a situation or more passionately about it.
 
I'm doing this now. Its like with those pakistan floods, u give some money its all u can do.

300 years ago these things still went on but people didn't have to dwell on them for no reason.
People shouldn't have to be endlessly subjected to 'news'.

I am totally SICK of the news, its just endless horrors. If anything that important happens i'll hear about it from friends/family.
 
Since when did reading (or listening - again, not watching, sigh) the news necessarily entailed having to actually do something to change the world?

The idea is not to watch the news and change the world. The idea is to bear witness and to be informed, and also to accept that you simply aren't significant enough to fix all the world's problems. This thread is seriously annoying me, I'm sorry.
 
jammy my comment was simply about guilt. watching the news does NOT entail changing the world (i agree), but the awareness of injustices can cause much inner conflict. sometimes, "being informed" comes at too great a cost.
 
"Bearing witness" sounds as if it is a painful process... Does 'being informed' outweigh being 'content'?
 
Jamshyd said:
Since when did reading (or listening - again, not watching, sigh) the news necessarily entailed having to actually do something to change the world?

The idea is not to watch the news and change the world. The idea is to bear witness and to be informed, and also to accept that you simply aren't significant enough to fix all the world's problems. This thread is seriously annoying me, I'm sorry.
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I'd rather bear witness to the great horned owl at night or the butterfly during the afternoon while laying on the side of a creek, halfway in the icy water while smoking a pipe of delicious heady marijuana.

From whence did your norm derive that I must be informed about things going on in North Korea and Afghanistan. Whats the difference between you and I that makes me not decree you should be listening to great horned owls at night?

This thread is mildly annoying me because of statements like you are making about what I have to do with my mind and time. Why not just make the rule for yourself and leave it at that? I dont care about being informed about the world. I'd rather focus on chopping firewood and working my jobs and making love to my girl than fix my ears on al-jazeera (sp).

I love you so much man and I admire your heart and energy for international issues, but damn man theres no need to generalize your desire to be informed to everybody. I already know I am insignificant I spent a lot of time tripping on mushrooms and LSD looking at the stars.
 
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