banner(+copy.jpg)
So today I made another attempt at updating myself, like any good citizen should. I checked CNN, Drudge Report, NY Times, Huffington Post.. didn't last for fifteen minutes. Call it apathy, indifference, or small attention span - but I have an aversion to the news. All the top stories are either about an argument, an accusation, or some sort of eruption. Sarah Palin said this, Hurricaine Katrina is still happening. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about being aware of one's surroundings and being informed. But come on.. Barack Obama is 70% up in polls: "we love him!" To 69% of Americans have lost trust in our president and think he's a terrorist: "when's the next election?" It's getting exhausting. I heard this Chinese proverb the other day that said:
"Better to light a candle than curse the darkness."
I liked it. It seems like all the news can focus on is "dark" economy cliff-ends and Snooki's new abusive boyfriend. Yet here I am, the hypocrite: cursing the news.
In the wise words of Trish, the southern lady I work with, "You'd never go and plant yer picnic right next to the only pile of dog sh*t in the park." Almost wiser than the proverb I'd say. So there's my resolution. I'll be avoiding the piles of dog sh*t and eating my picnic elsewhere. Call me "plain ignorant" (also in the words of Trish), but if my country has a nuclear warhead pointed to it, I'm sure I'll hear about it from the ten people around me with their live iPhone feeds. But even then, what good would "knowing" about it do? Excuse me, I'll be enjoying my ham sandwich and strawberry milkshake in the sun.
In the wise words of Trish, the southern lady I work with, "You'd never go and plant yer picnic right next to the only pile of dog sh*t in the park." Almost wiser than the proverb I'd say. So there's my resolution. I'll be avoiding the piles of dog sh*t and eating my picnic elsewhere. Call me "plain ignorant" (also in the words of Trish), but if my country has a nuclear warhead pointed to it, I'm sure I'll hear about it from the ten people around me with their live iPhone feeds. But even then, what good would "knowing" about it do? Excuse me, I'll be enjoying my ham sandwich and strawberry milkshake in the sun.
I made a similar decision shortly after the last Presidential campaign—I was just so thoroughly sick of the arguing and gossip and ranting that was presented as "news."
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm the only one in my spheres who feels exactly the same way. Pining for the days of journalistic news broadcasts...don't hold your breath. I quit watching the 'news'.
ReplyDeleteVery well said.. Appropriate not only for your country but for us too.. all over the world..
ReplyDeleteflo
ditto. i feel extra guilty with my inability to follow news because i just started a grad program in journalism. it's just hard for me to pick up the paper and not treat it like a book. if i can't read the whole thing, i give up. but i'm with you: i want to be informed, i just can't read the news all day.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading your post I'd relate it to what happened recently in our country. 2 weeks ago there was a bus assault and 7-10 died. There was a darkness and many people questioned about the incident. I hope there will be light, so this kind of incident won't happen again.
ReplyDeleteWhat?? Snookie has a new abusive boyfriend?? ...
ReplyDelete... that was a joke
I know what you mean. I sometimes feel guilty because my husband can articulate intelligently about anything in the news, anywhere...and when I do make myself tune in, it only takes 5 minutes of people bashing and slamming at work to know I wouldn't be able to hold my own in a "conversation", so I tend to avoid it and do more entertaining reading (such as blogs :) ) or playing on Facebook! Just found your blog and have enjoyed what I've read!
ReplyDeletenice blog. unfortunately media thrives in negativity,its making the world hopeless.
ReplyDeletewwwkwata.blogspot.com is also gssblogspot-dithunya@blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteAnd don’t forget the constant Lindsay Lohan and Tiger Woods updates. Do we really need news flashes on this every 30-minutes? The news in the United States is a such a mix of slanted perspectives and tabloid trash. So little of it even affects us in our own lives. Don’t get me wrong…get the updates but take them with a grain of salt and keep the focus on life.
ReplyDeleteJust started following the blog and really enjoy the material. Thanks for posting.
I need a t-shirt with Kim's quote on it RIGHT. NOW.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I needed that.
Congrats on Blog of Note. Enjoy the wild ride.
The news bores me too. I don't even need to expand on that.
ReplyDeleteI confess, I'm a News Junkie,ANYthing to get away from reality shows, game-shows, repeats ad nauseum. I LOVE 24-hour news (not the slanted kind like Fox), docs, the here-and-now of our lives, our planet. A marvellous resource.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't 'handle it' years ago...and I can't even get Faux News. I found the social networks at Opera Community , Care 2 and Current TV more fun - even Open Salon - but figured I'd get bored without trying to somehow follow the action. So I learned how to 'roll my own' - posting an eclectic sample taken from the Links page at my Opera blog. The Community there even allows you to use a website for online ID and much more.
ReplyDeletehttp://my.opera.com/oldephartte/links/
http://opitslinkfest.blogspot.com/
To light a candle you first have to have it and then find it in the darkness.
ReplyDeleteYou mean you take the news literally? Without reading between the lies?
The real news is behind the torrents of information poured on us every minute.
But there's a way to ease your burden, just don't read newspapers and throw your idiot box, iPhone and the likes away.
Unfortunately it gets more and more difficult to avoid piles of dog sh**, since it tends to take up all the available picnic space.
What the hell is a snooki?
ReplyDeleteI quite like the news... but I can see your point. The media machine today is designed to mold mushy maleable minds, not to inform strong minds.
Piss on it. To each his own, eh?
salud.
http://arealgoodblog.blogspot.com
I love your post today and your writing style! I have often decided to avoid the network news because I would rather light my darkness with the great and inspiring things on this earth, past and present. Congratulations on becoming a blog of note! I look forward to following you. If you have a minute, please stop by my two blogs: A Camp Host Housewife's Meanderings and Levonne's Pretty Pics. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteVery well said, I feel the same way honestly.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if there's no reason to keep up with the news anymore, just because everyone wants to complain about something else in the world, when they should be focusing on the main problems.
http://leggerrr.blogspot.com/
I'm with you. I try to be all news savvy, but it just depresses or frustrates me when I try. I'd rather live in ignorant bliss for as long as possible. Life is hard enough without reading about everything that sucks in the world every day. The media doesn't like to cover anything that is trending positive; it's all ominous and negative.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you! I glance an a couple of news websites in the morning to see if the world has ended yet--then get on with my day. There are too many little things in life to enjoy to waste time sweating the big stuff.
ReplyDeleteWe get exactly the kind of news the majority of world population wants. Tabloid or not, it has a tremendous audience, we here must be an exception.
ReplyDeleteOne good thing about the news, though, is that sometimes it can warn you about dangers, if you know what to pay attention to.
On the other hand, there aren't many positive things for the media to cover.
be careful, though. dogs crap in the sunlight, too. they can't help it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I also have quit watching the news. Every media outlet out there has their own agenda weather it be political or for ratings. I prefer hearing the going ons of the world from networking feeds where I can control who I hear what from http://platsandcups.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteTrish sounds smart. Great post.
ReplyDelete