I’d Rather *Not* Read all About it…
Posted on 29. May, 2011 by Corey Hartford in Random
So here’s the deal about me and “The News” … I hate it. I mean, I truly do not enjoy watching, reading or listening to the news in any capacity or form whatsoever. Perhaps if I lived in a world where things literally were sugar-coated in order to make them go down easier, or maybe if that sugar could turn all the world’s bullets into delicious, delicious gum drops, well then maybe I’d enjoy watching the news. But until then, that’s not going to happen. Until then, cops are still going to taze innocent people, guilty people are going to shoot innocent cops, new cars will be stolen and building set ablaze. So, I just try and stay away from all that.
A few reasons why I don’t like the news:
- Everything is dramatized and sensationalized to an unneccesary level.
- The news entity enjoys focusing only on the bad stuff that’s happening. It’s depressing.
- The world is becoming a worse and worse place, things are never getting better, and we’re taking giant steps backward in terms of human rights and freedom in many parts of the world.
- I can’t stand celebrities, and I don’t think they deserve 2% of the attention we give them. If we focused a fraction of our energy on scientists and educators as we did the faces from the movies, we’d be a far better off society.
Okay, so that’s just me. Granted I have many-a friend that share this same worldview. However, I have also met folks on the other side of the fence. Well, it’s part “other side of the fence” and part “not caring.” It goes like so – in response to all my above, numbered concerns – in the same order.
- It’s media. It’s going to be sensationalized. Just expect it.
- Bad stuff sells. Cat shows don’t sell news, downed ships do. Plus, it puts you in perspective and helps you be grateful. It’s potentially enlightening.
- The world has always been this bad, just in its own ways. Wars and discrimination have always happened. Hate has always happened. Ignorance has always happened. But it’s getting better.
- No argument.
So, where do you stand? Does the news pick you up, or pull you down? Are the powers that be messing around with our emotions, or are they just giving it to us straight? Has 24 hour coverage increased the need to compete in the world of once-banal news coverage?
In the meantime, I’ve been content watching Mahalo’s new 2-minute news caps. Sure, it’s a selfless plug, but since I work 60+ hour weeks, it’s only natural that my inspiration for a post come from something I see or do at work. We publish five of these a day and my boy Marcello Minestrone compiles them hour-by-hour so the stories are fresh. It keeps me in the loop without weighing me down with overhyped production values or flashing red signs. But you know I did hear that would increase our daily views on YouTube. Hmmmmm….
