It’s no secret why the world seems to be journeying to hell in a supersonic jet. We’re piloting the jet. In our pursuit of news, information and knowledge, we’re feeding ourselves a steady diet of the shocking negative news stories that dominant the internet, television, and some print media. My fear is that we’ll soon up our game and attract even more raging interest by featuring colorful plastic action scenes and figures of recent earthquakes, floods, fires, and shootings free with every fast-food meal.
If I spout the latest terrible news about corruption, racism, and injustice, I come across as virtuous, right, and wise. But good news stories about people acting with heroism and compassion (think Steve Hartman’s “On the Road” on CBS, “Inspiring America” on NBC, and other sources) are perceived to be trivial, not compelling, and front page-worthy only in a middle school student paper.
Fill our time with what’s packaged as the most important news and we’re likely to come away believing that the world is rapidly descending into disaster and chaos, even though many aspects of life have improved dramatically over the last few decades according to Psychology Today. Exposure to consistent, sensationalized pessimism and negativity is the norm for news junkies. Why does this matter? What we see on the news significantly impacts our mental health according to Mental Health America and the American Psychological Association.
“The World’s Doomed” stories earn more eyeballs on the internet, showcase more dramatic visuals, and trigger more volcanic emotions inside us. We are bias toward the negative. We react more strongly and persistently to the bad than to the comparable good.
We should follow the news. But let’s try adding some fruits and vegetables to our news diet rich with all that red meat. Here are three suggestions.
In 2016 after the presidential election, Garrison Keillor wrote that U.S. Presidents have less impact on his life than his third-grade teacher, Fern Moehlenbrock. “Her kindness and cheerfulness,” wrote Keillor, “grow larger and larger in memory, and Mr. Nixon [President Richard Nixon] recedes to the size of a dried pea.” Keillor implied that we can express grave concerns and deal with threatening world situations, but we should pay similar attention to the joy and elation of events like my granddaughter winning four ribbons at her gymnastic meet. So, the first suggestion is that we work harder to find the good news and appreciate the everyday good things that happen all around us. Check out the 21,000 good news stories on the Good News Network© and the many other good news sources.
On February 7 of this year the BBC featured an article by the science and features journalist Amanda Ruggeri. Ruggeri emphasized how important it is to be a thoughtful, discerning citizen. Good people follow current affairs. Yet the article says our grasp on contemporary issues is fading. Recent U.S. polls find a shrinking share of adults say they follow the news closely–from 51% in 2016 to 38% in 2022. Among younger people, aged 18 to 29, it’s just 19%. And Facebook is now the most common source for news.
So, suggestion number two is Ruggeri’s idea of using Facebook and similar social media sites only for their original purpose of keeping in touch with friends and forging new relationships. Our news and information gathering should be accomplished through reputable news outlets and professional journalists. Let’s respond with doubt and caution to any news pushed our way by an algorithm or artificial intelligence. When we read an unusual news claim we should verify it before engaging.
A third suggestion is to act on what we can, not fret about what we can’t. We get so overwhelmed trying to fix what we can’t that we’re drained of the energy and resources required to fix what we can. Can’t stop war. Can’t halt climate change. Can’t change other people. But we can march for peace; recycle, reuse, and reduce; and spread something positive, something loving, something joyful. You and I can take action by joining an aid group, donating to a cause, signing a petition, challenging falsehoods, and spreading truth. Doing the small good things that are right in front of us will have a profound positive impact on our mental health and our future.
Chris John Amorosino lives in Unionville and looks every day for something newsworthy and positive.
Read More: Let’s stop depressing ourselves. Here are some tips