News often stress me out because of the negativity, but I want to stay informed.
This is generally an unpopular opinion, but…I don’t really think we need the news.
It’s basically like being told that a comet is going to smash into the Earth within the year and scientists are working on it, but their chance for success is anywhere between 0% and 100%. That’s cool and all, but I rarely feel like I can actively do anything as a result of being more informed. More information doesn’t empower me to do anything at all. Thus, I have a hard time justifying the self-flagellation.
Personally, I read the news only. While I barely pay attention to videos anyway, when I do I feel like I don’t have time to fact-check and otherwise do my due diligence. If I don’t have to read interpretative commentary, then I won’t. For example, if a news story cites a study or survey, I’ll just go to the source. If someone is quoted, I’ll go look for context around the quote.
That’s how I exert control, anyway lol. It’s mostly inconsequential, probably, but I also like to think that I’m not totally foolish.
That’s cool and all, but I rarely feel like I can actively do anything as a result of being more informed. More information doesn’t empower me to do anything at all.
I know what you mean. I think it’s partly the kind of news that’s encouraged in “bleeds-it-leads” 24h Western news cycles.
A proportion of my news these days is from outside that cycle, and it’s a bit more helpful/normal. For example noticing all the news on the rice production shortage before it impacted local prices.
If there’s news you need to know your friends or coworkers will tell you.
I guess the literal answer is early in the morning when your serotonin is rising, and once or twice a week so you get the big stories without the obsessive retellings.
