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anyone else stop watching/following the news?

runmikeyrun

runmikeyrun

Jan 10, 2001
1,248
55
northeast Ohio
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#1
I did a few years ago. I don't watch it on TV, don't read newspapers, and rarely check out anything online, unless it's a professional journal related to my field and that's not news, but education.

I, for one, feel so relieved not worrying about all the crap that's happening in our world that neither you nor I have any control over.

While I'm at it, I should add that I stopped watching TV about 6 months ago. I spend my time DOING things, like building pedals and amps, riding/wrenching on my bikes, and hanging out with friends. At 35 I have many, many healthy relationships with friends, new and old, have bruises again (dirt biking) and have the time to be in two bands again, all this while going full time at two colleges and being a dad.

Just wondering if anyone else out there was as weird as me... ;)
 
#2
i dont watch tv, or have cable. i have to say i haven't really watched tv since i was 16, consistently. Although when I visit my parents i may flip on the tele, I find it somewhat relaxing and sometimes there are some REALLY good shows on, like through the worm hole. When theres nothing else on i watch all the fake reality/ storage wars, blah blah blah, for about 15 mins, while my mind is being blown that people actually enjoy this stuff or even think its real!!

I can pretty much say 99% of reality shows are real, most are obvious, others well I know people that have been behind the scenes. Everything even the alaska crab or gold whatever shows are all staged.
 
#5
Avoiding news reduces your knowledge of the world around you and therefore reduces your effectiveness in decision-making and functioning in society. If you're going to be a citizen and vote, you need to pay attention to the world around you. Personally, I consider it a citizen's responsibility to be informed. However, many people abdicate this responsibility.

TV news is certainly not as comprehensive as NPR, PBS or newspaper coverage, but at least it gives you some concept of what's going on in your area. It is often shaped by entertainment value, but it's better than no news at all. If you don't like it, simply seek other forms of news which are more comprehensive - even online sites. Just don't spend your time getting political propaganda from publications, radio stations or websites which are highly partisan on either end of the spectrum.

My basic sentiment: ignoring the news is hiding your head in the sand. Spend at least some time being aware of what's going on.
 
#6
I spent about 6 weeks in the hospital and rarely watched any of the major news networks. Before my stay I would watch all the major networks 3-4 hours per day. Today I still rarely watch and feel much more mentally healthier and less stressed.

If you have a need for news stick with your local affiliate.
 
#7
Pilgrim said:
Avoiding news reduces your knowledge of the world around you and therefore reduces your effectiveness in decision-making and functioning in society. If you're going to be a citizen and vote, you need to pay attention to the world around you. Personally, I consider it a citizen's responsibility to be informed. However, many people abdicate this responsibility.

Just don't spend your time getting political propaganda from publications, radio stations or websites which are highly partisan on either end of the spectrum.

My basic sentiment: ignoring the news is hiding your head in the sand. Spend at least some time being aware of what's going on.
Click to expand...

Avoiding news reduces your knowledge of what news networks are trying to sell. Tv news networks are the same if not worse than publications, radio stations, or websites.

I have a bbc app on my phone I view from time to time, I get to skip all the BS stories and read what I want, such as CIA and prostitutes or googles unmanned car.

Chances are if your like me you'll hear about most of the news anyway either via friends, work, or TBOT,

And at least when points are brought up here or work or friends you get to hear more than one side of the story, that the news wants you to believe. If I find it interesting I'll do a little more research online. But why be force-fed stories you couldn't give a damn about and all the commercials that go along with it. Waste of time
 
#8
Pilgrim said:
Avoiding news reduces your knowledge of the world around you and therefore reduces your effectiveness in decision-making and functioning in society. If you're going to be a citizen and vote, you need to pay attention to the world around you. Personally, I consider it a citizen's responsibility to be informed. However, many people abdicate this responsibility.

TV news is certainly not as comprehensive as NPR, PBS or newspaper coverage, but at least it gives you some concept of what's going on in your area. It is often shaped by entertainment value, but it's better than no news at all. If you don't like it, simply seek other forms of news which are more comprehensive - even online sites. Just don't spend your time getting political propaganda from publications, radio stations or websites which are highly partisan on either end of the spectrum.

My basic sentiment: ignoring the news is hiding your head in the sand. Spend at least some time being aware of what's going on.
Click to expand...

Much agreed! Just by avoiding something doesn't make it go away or seem like your doing such a righteous thing. Tough to sit there some day with your hand on your head saying "what the heck happened,I had no idea?"
 
#10
I like how the news nowadays can report a small update, speculate on its relevance to the topic and report their opinion as what is true. Bad thing about the news is the 24 hour news channels. Back in the 80's when news came on in the morning and evening, and that was it, more truth and less bias seemed to be reported. Now it's only sensationalism that is reported and slanted towards whatever political affiliation the network leans towards. Sickening, IMO.
 
#12
Lots of things that happen in the world can have a profound affect on the quality of your life or community. To stick your head in the sand and be ill-informed about the world or community or neighborhood around us is ridiculous and somewhat dangerous. In our state, to not care, like my 23 year old son, about decisions being made by top government officials such as the cost or availability of his health care, or his possible job security, is so typical of the general malaise and apathy of his generation. This thread is also representative of that.

As an example on the local level, to not be checking the news and be informed about a strip mall, big box development and apartment complex wanting to be put up in my back yard, that would likely be detrimental to my property values and those of my neighbors would be criminal of me IMO. It's my responsibility and right to know what's going on and participate in doing what I think is right to oppose the development.

A generation of "stick my head in the sand" apathetics is IMO a contributing factor to the ongoing downward spiral of our American democracy and society.
 
#13
I read the news online - computer or smartphone. As mentioned above, you can spend your time reading what you choose. I like google's customized news page, as you can input news topics of your choice and it will find matching articles.

Haven't watched tv in years, and finally got my wife to agree to cancel our cable bill a year or two ago - best thing I ever did for my kids IMO. They don't watch one minute of tv, ever - ages 6 and 10.
 
#14
We have antenna TV only.
Local news about what's happening in your community is important.
The rest of the news is disturbing because the producers
edit the info to favor an agenda.
Case in point... The T. Martin shooting in Florida.
You can go online and probe around until you find websites that reflect the truth.
As for the shows on TV, sitcoms, talk shows, court shows,
religion shows, shopping shows, blahblahblah....
no interest in them and have never watched them.
 
#15
I typically just watch the local news, mostly for the weather. They also talk about the shootings on 40th and Gunpoint and the victim was "turning his life around".

After the last election, I was very shocked with how much influence the news had over the "issues". I don't know what's worse, the fact that the media has so much influence or that the public bought it. :scowl: Just the facts ma'am.
 
#17
Floyd Eye said:
The news really is just another show.
Click to expand...

Too true!

I havent watched the news since I was in High School.
I dont watch much TV, what I do I watch on Netflix, and sometimes play video games.
I decided yesterday that I would no longer allow myself to play video games or watch TV while the sun is out.
Yesterday I took a nice 10 mile bike ride around the city.

Pilgrim said:
My basic sentiment: ignoring the news is hiding your head in the sand. Spend at least some time being aware of what's going on.
Click to expand...

I took the OPs question to mean "the news on TV" and not necessarily about keeping up with current events.
There are way better sources for doing so than watching the news.
 
#18
mrpackerguy said:
Lots of things that happen in the world can have a profound affect on the quality of your life or community. To stick your head in the sand and be ill-informed about the world or community or neighborhood around us is ridiculous and somewhat dangerous. In our state, to not care, like my 23 year old son, about decisions being made by top government officials such as the cost or availability of his health care, or his possible job security, is so typical of the general malaise and apathy of his generation. This thread is also representative of that.

As an example on the local level, to not be checking the news and be informed about a strip mall, big box development and apartment complex wanting to be put up in my back yard, that would likely be detrimental to my property values and those of my neighbors would be criminal of me IMO. It's my responsibility and right to know what's going on and participate in doing what I think is right to oppose the development.

A generation of "stick my head in the sand" apathetics is IMO a contributing factor to the ongoing downward spiral of our American democracy and society.
Click to expand...

Very well put!
 
#19
I hate tv news. It's just one depressing story after the other or an attempt to force feed me certain political party beliefs as unquestionable fact. I quit watching any news on tv and don't regret it at all. I consider myself a much happier person now than I was in highschool when I watched it. I use the internet and news sites I trust to get any information I feel like I want to learn more about.
 

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