4 ms·

Just don’t read the news: it’s an addictive consumer product developed to keep folks on all sides of the spectrum continuously in crisis mode.

NoImmatureAdHom 5y ago
Yes, I support this perspective. You will get the news anyway, whether you like it or not.
63 5y ago
This perspective is a tiny bit exaggerated, but not by much. You don't need the vast majority of the news, especially not at the rate it's published. If it's important, it will get to you. If you really need to stay informed, maybe check things out once a week, after the stories have been developed.
keb_ 5y ago
Obligatory re-post of Aaron Swartz's blogpost: https://archive.md/KavvY https://archive.md/KavvY I also decided a while ago to quit reading the news everyday, partly inspired by Aaron's post. I no longer feel ashamed to be uninformed. Also, weird side-effect, but I find that I'm much more humble when engaging in political discussions with colleagues now and less inclined to go on a rant.
- pixxel 5y ago
  “If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.” ~unknown
Ocerge 5y ago
I agree with this, but I would place a larger emphasis on Breaking News being something one should actively avoid. Unless it's a 9/11-level event, or you are in imminent danger (which is highly unlikely), you don't need to know about it until the facts are out.
tablespoon 5y ago
> Just don’t read the news: it’s an addictive consumer product developed to keep folks on all sides of the spectrum continuously in crisis mode. You're painting with way too broad a brush. It's like saying the internet is just there to addict you so you click ads. Sure that's true if you only consider Facebook et al., but there's more to the internet than that. It's better advice to avoid cable "news" and opinion columnists that align too strongly with your prejudices. The news pages from high quality outlets like the AP, NYT, WSJ, etc. are fine, and there aren't really any good substitutes for them. Similarly, it's good to read opinions you disagree with, but it's maybe better to read someone with a "heterodox" opinion than hate read someone with an orthodox opinion from the "other side."

NoImmatureAdHom 5y ago

Yes, I support this perspective. You will get the news anyway, whether you like it or not.

63 5y ago

This perspective is a tiny bit exaggerated, but not by much. You don't need the vast majority of the news, especially not at the rate it's published. If it's important, it will get to you. If you really need to stay informed, maybe check things out once a week, after the stories have been developed.

keb_ 5y ago

Obligatory re-post of Aaron Swartz's blogpost: https://archive.md/KavvY https://archive.md/KavvY I also decided a while ago to quit reading the news everyday, partly inspired by Aaron's post. I no longer feel ashamed to be uninformed. Also, weird side-effect, but I find that I'm much more humble when engaging in political discussions with colleagues now and less inclined to go on a rant.

pixxel 5y ago
“If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.” ~unknown

Ocerge 5y ago

I agree with this, but I would place a larger emphasis on Breaking News being something one should actively avoid. Unless it's a 9/11-level event, or you are in imminent danger (which is highly unlikely), you don't need to know about it until the facts are out.

tablespoon 5y ago

> Just don’t read the news: it’s an addictive consumer product developed to keep folks on all sides of the spectrum continuously in crisis mode. You're painting with way too broad a brush. It's like saying the internet is just there to addict you so you click ads. Sure that's true if you only consider Facebook et al., but there's more to the internet than that. It's better advice to avoid cable "news" and opinion columnists that align too strongly with your prejudices. The news pages from high quality outlets like the AP, NYT, WSJ, etc. are fine, and there aren't really any good substitutes for them. Similarly, it's good to read opinions you disagree with, but it's maybe better to read someone with a "heterodox" opinion than hate read someone with an orthodox opinion from the "other side."