In the news
I hate the news. I tend to be a general tv-hater anyways, but I despise the news. I hate local news, national news, celebrity "news", any type of news whatsoever.
To me, no news is good news.
How then did I end up in a family of tv/media junkies?
My family loves the news,they would have it on 24/7 if I would let them. We'd watch the morning news, the noon news, the 5 o'clock news, the 5:30 news and then the 6 o'clock news. Before bed we'd flip between the 10 o'clock news on one local station and the 11 o'clock news that is broadcast at 10 on cable. Then we'd finish up with the 11 o'clock news on yet a 3rd local l station. In between all of these broadcasts we can flip between all of the various cable news networks that broadcast 24/7. They would do this, if only I would let them. I am constantly yelling at them "Shut that crap OFF!!" If its a local broadcast they'll whine, "I want to see the weather." Sometimes I let them, sometimes I tell them to a. watch the weather channel, b. get it online or c. look out the window.
I hate the news.
I try not to watch it. I wont watch it. I don't watch it.
Why/
Because it is nothing but doom and gloom and horror and mayhem.
Gas prices are up.
Egg prices are up.
This is up.
That is up.
This is down.
That is down.
This horrible thing happened here.
That horrible thing happened there.
Or is happening right now, as we speak/watch.
Its too cold, prices are going to go up.
Its too hot, prices are going to go up.
Its too dry, prices are going to go up.
Its too wet, prices are going to go up.
The sun still comes up in the morning and sets at night.
The plants still grow, the fruit still ripens, the chickens still lay their eggs.
The wind still blows, the rain still comes, we all still live and die.
Life goes on.
I figure if something that really,truly, happens that affects me, I'll know it.
I don't need some talking head on the tube to tell me about it.
I don't need some expert, sofa-quarterback talking expert heads on the tv to tell me about it and what it means and how I should feel and what I should or shouldn't be doing about it
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
for hours.
I don't know. I don't want to know. I don't need to know
and sometimes
I just don't care anymore.
Which one is worse?
Chicken Little carrying on about the sky falling?
or
The Ostrich hiding her head in the sand?
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6 comments:
Love your piece because I can see my news-hating self in it, and my news-junkie family as well.
I can actually see both parts of myself in it. And it's extremely well-written. Fun!
I can totally relate to your writings. News is definitely over-rated. Years and years ago, I used to watch more news than I do now...couldn't take it anymore. I only watch it for half an hour in the early morning for weather/traffic and top stories in this area but that's it. No afternoon, evening, or nightly news anymore. It can definitely keep you up thinking about all the horrid things.
My dad used to say, "no news is good news". I think that may become my motto too!
This was a great post! I can relate very well. My time is so valuable and I don't want to waste my free time sitting in front of the TV; especially the news! Why do I need to hear of more war, higher gas prices, rapes, murders etc.. when I could pick up my art materials and work on something productive. Who really cares if Tom and Katie are breaking up or who the father of Anna Nicole's baby is. I've got enough on my plate as it is. Now, if I could only get my kids away from the TV set... :))
We have a friend who had a heart attack. His doctor advised him to avoid the news completely. He felt that watching the news is too much stress for someone who had a heart attack the severity of our friend's. I don't think the news was the big part of our friend's stress. He went through a lot of life challenges right before it happened. But, still, it's obvious that his doctor thinks that too much news can have an adverse effect on your health. And, I'm certain that's true.
My late aunt was given the same advice, as well, when she was ill. The news upset her, which wasn't good for her.
I do watch some news, myself. I do think it's good to be aware of what's going on in the world so that we can pray for situations and leaders and so that we can relate to other people who mention world events in conversations. The key for me is to be informed, but not let myself be unduly unsettled, because I know God is in control of how things will turn out.
I'd like to say that I watch the news only just enough to keep up with things, but there are times when I probably get sucked into it more than I should. However, I've found that when a disaster happens -- such as 911 or Columbine -- watching a certain amount of news about it helps me process that it really happened. Beyond that, I reach a point when I know it's time to turn off the TV and go on with my life. The fact that we have 24 hour a day news now means that we can see the same graphic images and hear the same horrifying news stories played over and over and over again. I have personally found that that's not good for me. After all, there's often little I can do to help the people who are experiencing the faraway disaster, while there are plenty of people in my life that I can do soemthing for.
I'd love to reach that happy medium between knowing a little of what's going on in the world, without being a news junkie.
Elizabeth
Thank you so much for praying for me Carol : ) That means a great deal!
Hope your Sunday...and week too...is peaceful : ) Wendy
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