I am reminded of H.D. Thoreau's essay "Life Without Principle"[1] where he has plenty to say about the ill effects, to the mind and soul, of filling one's head

I am reminded of H.D. Thoreau's essay "Life Without Principle"[1] where he has plenty to say about the ill effects, to the mind and soul, of filling one's head with ordinary news and other trivia. I believe that the mind can be permanently profaned by the habit of attending to trivial things, so that all our thoughts shall be tinged with triviality. Our very intellect shall be macadamized, as it were- its foundation broken into fragments for the wheels of travel to roll over; and if you would know what will make the most durable pavement, surpassing rolled stones, spruce blocks, and asphaltum, you have only to look into some of our minds which have been subjected to this treatment so long. The entire essay is a wonderful read about, among other things, life and living it well. [1] http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER2/thoreau/life.html http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER2/thoreau/life.html edit:formatting