News

I subscribed to a daily newspaper for years.  There were a few times I walked to the end of my driveway to discover no paper in the paper tube.  But I never discovered no paper, but a note from the carrier saying “The publisher realized there wasn’t all that much going on you need to know about. Here’s your 35 cents back.”

The same was true for the evening news, which I used to watch religiously.  No mater what time of year or day of the week, Dan Rather (or whomever) never read 4 minutes of news, then looked into the camera and said “That’s really just about all you need to know for today.  Why don’t you go play with your kids, or get a jump on the dishes?”

Most Americans have been raised since CNN first started the idea of all the news, all the time.  On-demand access may be an American tradition (thank you 7-11 and breakfast anytime diners), but unlike many commercial enterprises, round-the-clock news sources are required to forward a product, even when there’s nothing to sell.  Uninterested viewers change the channel to something more compelling—and there goes the ad revenues.  As a result, perpetual news sources not only have to seem to have something to say; they have to give you the impression it’s compelling.

Except that, most of the time, it isn’t. I was driving to work one morning, and the lead story for the 8 AM story—this is the peak of drive time—involved President Bill Clinton leaving the White House at the end of his term.  “Will the President take Socks the Cat to the family home in New York, or will newly-elected Senator Hillary Clinton keep Socks in her DC apartment?”

At this point, I did what I believe any reasonable person would do—I turned the radio off.  The newscast had several minutes to go, but if the best they could offer as a lead story involved cat custody issues, it was a sure bet nothing that followed mattered all that much either.

I honestly believe the popular approach to news is addicting, and the largest contributing factor to the ever-widening political animosity in this country.  For better or worse, the more you hear about something, the more real it seems, which is why small congressional differences over budget issues lead to government shutdowns, and a party-opposite’s different view on an issue threatens your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No one’s making you agree with them, but if you hear their perspective often enough, it seems like they are—and nobody gets to push you around, by golly. This doesn’t make differences unimportant, but it does blow them out of proportion, making them seem insurmountable, and leading to even more hyperbole to defend a position—hyperbole some then seem compelled to act on, much to the detriment of the country.

Get off the vicious circle. It’s an election year, and democracy only works when heads are clear, no matter what different conclusions those heads may hold. In the interest of the country-and your sanity– try listening to the five-minute news update at the top of the hour only once a day—that’s your daily dose of news. If something seems compelling, stay with it; but if the lead story involves the progeny of Socks the Cat, use the remaining time to listen to this. 

Thoughtful engagement is a vital part of democracy, but it stops being thoughtful if those involved aren’t thinking, but reacting.  Give yourself a chance to focus.

Salvation

Beseeching a protective shield
To eat Frosted Flakes in peace?
Lining the cup with a quarter 
Nudges the pearly gates that much more?
Smirking at someone 
You want to lambaste
Because turning a cheek
Came up one Sunday?

The bad stuff
And the good stuff 
Don’t come from one cloth.
Why hope for a nicer section
Of the same bolt?

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