It’s got to be violent to make it a highlight
If we show it enough well everyone will think it’s alright
Disco’s out, murder’s in ~ Suicidal Tendencies
Do you watch the news? Why?
Every once in a while, I have the misfortune of seeing a bit of the “News.” Every time I do, I think, “It’s no wonder people think the world is coming to an end.” That’s what’s presented on the News.
It should be called the “Why everything sucks report.”
Tonight: Are you dead yet? Watch our special report and find out why you may die a violent, horrible death sooner than you think. Stay tuned for details.
But, I need to be informed.
Informed? Really? Is that what you think is happening when you watch a concentrated dose of murder, rape, arson, violent criminals on the loose, and various other reasons to live in fear?
Just how does being “informed” make you feel? Inspired? Motivated? Ready to take on the world? What? None of the above? How do you think it’s improving your life to see all the most terrible things about the world all in bite sized, easily digestible snippets?
Oh, that’s right, You’re “informed.” That’s some quality information you’ve got there. It’s really useful too. Just think about how many more things you can do now that you’re “informed.” You could:
- Spice up your marriage
- Make more money
- Get your master’s degree
- Be more organized
- Stick to that new exercise regimen
- Read faster
Wait, what’s that? The News isn’t informing you about those sorts of things? Maybe it’s time to reevaluate the benefits of being “informed” then.
Perhaps you’re better off spending that time doing something that, at the very least, puts you in a good mood. Even if it’s not helping you move towards your goals, at least it won’t be counterproductive to achieving them. Let’s face it, living in fear and dread is not a path to success.
I can see the world around me. I can drive down the street and see the destitute reality that exists in the slum there. I don’t need it thrown in my face to be aware of it. I would rather act personally to do something about it.
The world isn’t ending. It’s just that people are afraid to leave their homes and do something that will make a difference, because they’re “informed” that the world is a dangerous place, people=shit, and violent criminals lurk around every corner.
I don’t watch the news, and I am better off for it.
2004–2008
19 responses so far ↓
1
Skul
// Nov 26, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Pretty much right on the button. I got sick of their crap decades ago. Hype and horror are what sells, followed by some inane garbage about some equally inane “celebrity” loser.
Grrrrr!!
2
richj
// Nov 26, 2007 at 8:24 pm
So it’s not just me. I’ve turned off the news, especially cable news. I don’t listen to talk radio anymore either. It’s all the same repetitive crap hour after hour, day after day. Even the web is getting stale. I’ve scaled back my surfing substantially. The internet’s for prOn anyway. The names may change, but the stories, and opinions, remain the same.
3
Angie
// Nov 26, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I quit watching news ages ago, too. I don’t need any more excuses to be disgusted with society and people in general or more reasons to stay confined to my 4 walls. Out of 100 stories, 65 are fluff about Britney, Lindsay and Paris, 20 are about the “government” and 5 are about product recalls. That doesn’t leave much room for other stuff, and they have to make a big splash with those last 10–so they sensationalize murderers, rapists, drug addicts, etc. It’s all sick.
4
Mr. Fabulous
// Nov 26, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Right on. I can’t remember the last time I watched TV news, or even read much of the newspaper. And I am happier.
5
KC
// Nov 27, 2007 at 1:15 am
I’m back.
Different angle this time, same KC.
Just wanted to say hello, FIAR.
6
Pope Terry
// Nov 27, 2007 at 1:27 am
I cant remember seeing murder on Entertainment Tonight, what news are you watching… obvioulsy not the important one.
I havent watched the news for years theres nothing worth knowing, world, handbasket, hell. theres no need to be in a bad mood when it does end though is there.
7
Wyatt Earp
// Nov 27, 2007 at 9:28 am
I’m ignorant, and I’m proud. Frak the news; they never get it right anyway.
8
Derek E
// Nov 27, 2007 at 10:56 am
@Fiar - About your informed list. The first thing on it “Spice up your marriage”, anything they say in that information is a load of pig balls. As soon as that piece comes on the wife tunes it out and the husband is so glued to the TV it would take a MOAB to get him away. In my 25 years of life and my 5 years of marriage I have come to the sad realization that women do not like sex, they do not want a spicy marriage, they think they do, but in reality they just want some one in the house to complain about.
Sorry part of this doesn’t relate to the news sucking, but I needed to make this statement somewhere where my wife wouldn’t see it.
9
the frogster
// Nov 27, 2007 at 11:11 am
Word. TV news is entertainment. I like to read The Economist for real news, though I don’t often have to poop enough to get through it each week.
10
Vampirklown
// Nov 27, 2007 at 3:32 pm
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH. It’s very refreshing to come acrossed a blog that isn’t about flower arrangement or some such thing.
I have added you to my favorites and look forward to reading your blog on a daily basis.
No pressure on you to blog every day I just read slowly.
11
kate
// Nov 27, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I rarely ever watch the news. The only time I watch it, sadly, is when something terrible happens to a FF or P/O.
If I want weather, I’ll Google it or check it out on the sidebar of my blog. If I want sports updates, I’ll watch ESPN or Google it. Etc, etc, etc.
12
RT
// Nov 27, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I prefer music and stuff that makes me laugh.
I heard/read somewhere that the coverage on Iraq is down because the news is not all bad anymore. That’s proves your point.
13
Fiar
// Nov 28, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Skul Don’t forget the shameless promotion of the network’s own shows as “news.”
Rich I was just thinking about the purpose of the internet. Great minds think alike, or some such.
Angie Exactly, it’s poison for the mind.
Mr. Fab Glad to hear you’re part of the “no news and happy” crowd.
KC Great to see you again. Fmragtops is gone, it would seem though.
Pope Terry Life seems pretty good to me. I’ll take a dozen of those handbaskets. But then, things are probably different in Australia
I’ll respond to more later.
14
richj
// Nov 28, 2007 at 5:33 pm
It’s for prOn. That’s all it’s good for.
15
Chris C
// Nov 28, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I think people SHOULD watch the news and my weekly column tomorrow will explain why.
16 Why I Watch the News // Nov 29, 2007 at 10:02 am
[...] Why I Don’t Watch the News [...]
17
Colin King
// Dec 22, 2007 at 10:37 am
And I thought I was just different! I’m happy to see that there are others that can think for themselves. I haven’t seen the news on TV or even read a newspaper for 30ish years. All either do is tell you who is killing who or what natural disaster is happening. All very depressing, nothing edifying. Then they wrap it up in glitz! Who needs that?!?
18
Fiar
// Dec 24, 2007 at 11:13 am
Exactly, Colin. There’s nothing helpful or inspiring.
Thanks for stopping by.
19
JumpOut
// Sep 25, 2008 at 12:13 am
Wait, are you saying people don’t= shit?
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