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Would we all be happier if we didn't watch the news or read ? Is No news, good news?
Every time I turn on the news theres either some terrible catastrophe, some meaningless celebrity story, or news of some environmental or economic disaster. Either that or its one news organization complaining about another news organization.
There's no way I can effect any of it, so would I be happier if I didn't watch any of it anymore?
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There's no way I can effect any of it, so would I be happier if I didn't watch any of it anymore?
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October 30, 2009 02:15 AM
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I've given it up, and yes I'm happier for it.
I'm also more ignorant. I couldn't tell you the latest state of affairs in Afghanistan, or the goings-on with N. Korea, Iran, or Pakistan. I have no idea how much a barrel of oil costs. And if a carload of teenagers just got slammed by a train today, I have no idea. Similarly, I don't know what "foods you eat everyday" are now shown to maybe cause cancer, and I don't know which celebrity just got a DUI last night.
For now, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, because so much news is depressing. And it's a chore to weed out what is real factual news from what is media sensationalism, and all the hype and panic and fear just isn't worth it. I have enough to deal with right in front of me.
But I won't stay away for long. Ignorance is one of the greatest evils I know of. But everybody needs a break!
I'm also more ignorant. I couldn't tell you the latest state of affairs in Afghanistan, or the goings-on with N. Korea, Iran, or Pakistan. I have no idea how much a barrel of oil costs. And if a carload of teenagers just got slammed by a train today, I have no idea. Similarly, I don't know what "foods you eat everyday" are now shown to maybe cause cancer, and I don't know which celebrity just got a DUI last night.
For now, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, because so much news is depressing. And it's a chore to weed out what is real factual news from what is media sensationalism, and all the hype and panic and fear just isn't worth it. I have enough to deal with right in front of me.
But I won't stay away for long. Ignorance is one of the greatest evils I know of. But everybody needs a break!
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• Sometimes its a good thing to take a break.....
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October 27, 2009 08:55 PM
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There are two ways to look at this question. Will you be happier, and will you be better off?
As far as "happier," I don't doubt it. Of course it'd have a positive effect on one's mood not to hear about catastrophes or wars or crime or any of the millions of horrible things that happen in the world every day. Hearing about upsetting things is just bound to upset you to some degree, unless you're just not affected by things. As the expression goes, ignorance is bliss.
But that's the catch -- ignorance may be bliss, but it's still ignorance. What this boils down to is whether you'd give up knowledge for happiness. That's one heck of a conundrum, and I might not be in the majority on this, but I'd choose knowledge every time. In my opinion, happiness without full knowledge of a situation is hollow and not really worth it.
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As far as "happier," I don't doubt it. Of course it'd have a positive effect on one's mood not to hear about catastrophes or wars or crime or any of the millions of horrible things that happen in the world every day. Hearing about upsetting things is just bound to upset you to some degree, unless you're just not affected by things. As the expression goes, ignorance is bliss.
But that's the catch -- ignorance may be bliss, but it's still ignorance. What this boils down to is whether you'd give up knowledge for happiness. That's one heck of a conundrum, and I might not be in the majority on this, but I'd choose knowledge every time. In my opinion, happiness without full knowledge of a situation is hollow and not really worth it.
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October 27, 2009 10:55 PM
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To me the news, be it from television, radio, internet or the print media is a source of basic information.
It is information which can often cause distress, sadness, irritation and even confusion. Yet, I feel that if I did not have it, the result of being less informed could lead to a situation were I don't heed a warning for the safety of my family (ie- weather advisories), or I could miss a financial opportunity (ie- investment opportunity, or investment warning). or I would have less data on which to formulate my own opinion on issues that impact how I would vote in an election.
The result of that could affect my level of happiness. So, as difficult as it is to watch and/or read the news, I do so everyday, not to be more or less happy at the moment, but to ensure that I am informed enough to guide my own happiness in the future.
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It is information which can often cause distress, sadness, irritation and even confusion. Yet, I feel that if I did not have it, the result of being less informed could lead to a situation were I don't heed a warning for the safety of my family (ie- weather advisories), or I could miss a financial opportunity (ie- investment opportunity, or investment warning). or I would have less data on which to formulate my own opinion on issues that impact how I would vote in an election.
The result of that could affect my level of happiness. So, as difficult as it is to watch and/or read the news, I do so everyday, not to be more or less happy at the moment, but to ensure that I am informed enough to guide my own happiness in the future.
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October 27, 2009 11:51 PM
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Watching the news is depressing and I very rarely watch it. I tend to dwell on stuff like crimes against children, I suppose because I have a 6 year old so it's actually not a good thing for me to watch the news.
I do like to keep up on current events though which is probably why I'd rather surf the net. At least with reading and the internet you can control what you view or read about. It's not the same as sitting in front of the television and watching story after story about political bickering or tragedy. If I know an article is about something hideous that has happened to a child, I can decide not to read it. Just knowing something bad happened is enough for me.
It's not just about knowledge. I soak it up just like anyone. I would rather control what I'm soaking up (to some extent anyway.)
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I do like to keep up on current events though which is probably why I'd rather surf the net. At least with reading and the internet you can control what you view or read about. It's not the same as sitting in front of the television and watching story after story about political bickering or tragedy. If I know an article is about something hideous that has happened to a child, I can decide not to read it. Just knowing something bad happened is enough for me.
It's not just about knowledge. I soak it up just like anyone. I would rather control what I'm soaking up (to some extent anyway.)
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