Comments on: Do You Want to Stay Positive? Turn Off the News

By: Wieslaw

Wieslaw — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:31:01 +0000

I cry when I see tv news (no matter the content). The behavior of the tv speakers expresses symbolic violence, glorification of violence, military drill, fascism, elation, pathos, contempt for traditional human values.

By: Stan Pontiere

Stan Pontiere — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:21:56 +0000

Keeping a positive outlook is one thing but sticking your head in the sand and pretending the outside world does not exist is perhaps just as bad. We need to keep informed in this information age. Perhaps a better choice is to pick your news sources carefully. NPR rather than NBC. Not only is the quality and content better but, there are none of those deadly life defeating commercials which do nothing but turn us into rabid consumers.

By: Negativity within the news. « James Stone’s Blog

Negativity within the news. « James Stone’s Blog — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:11:58 +0000

[...] http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2009/02/13/stay-positive-turn-off-news/ [...]

By: jasmine

jasmine — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:46:59 +0000

the only very very important thing that can enrich your life from the news is perhaps 1%. the rest is junk

By: Atul Rana

Atul Rana — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:13:34 +0000

I already wrote a blog post on this and in the process found your article, awesome! It is near impossible to explain to people why following the news is bad for you…ah well I try.

http://atulsworld.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/118/

By: Atul’s Blog

Atul’s Blog — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:56:28 +0000

[...] http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2009/02/13/stay-positive-turn-off-news/ [...]

By: Maree Clarkson

Maree Clarkson — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:19:10 +0000

Hi there,

I myself have been subscribing to this thought pattern for a long time, but whenever I advocate the principle to anyone else, I get the answer/question, “Nonsense! How can one not listen to the news?
How do you keep up-to-date with events? You can’t stick your head in the sand, because it is NEWS! that is what is actually happening!”

I really have no answer in defense (Has anyone else?) except that I personally just listen to the news, in one ear and out the other, don’t dwell upon it and don’t let it affect me – it’s difficult when it is something that strikes a chord within you, mine is animal abuse, but even a report about that is beyond your control, as activism just exacerbates any issue it is trying to resolve.

By: zal

zal — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:29:00 +0000

RIGHT ON!
watching “news” on TV and listening to all kinds of “talkshows” on the radio in the car, is extremely destructive.
WHY should we listen to news on CNN or other stations, when 90% of these news are not correct and majority is inaccurate and many are fabricated..?!
Thanks GOD we’re in the internet age and we can decide what IS news and what is NOT.
Radio in the car is best for relaxing music…BUT there is hardly ANY relaxing music today. Mostly it’s crap, rap…and all other tasteless garbage called “music”, man singing songs that have no melody, have no nothing. Where are talents that we had in 50s-70s, that created classics in kind of music…where..????

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:46:12 +0000

Kathy,

Switching from television news to NPR news is one of the best things you can do for your brain.

That’s a great tip! I didn’t know that there is such a difference between news on TV and other media.

Honor,

I scan for any news that I have to know about for my job, other than that I don’t bother

What I learn from you is we should focus on the news that directly affect what we do.

Gina,

Time is much better spent in my circle of influence without fear and discouragement from the news.

I agree completely. The news often makes us worried about things we can’t do anything about. It’s better to focus on things we can do something about.

Erik,

Try reading a good daily newspaper, a good news weekly, and a monthly news magazine for three months, with no TV.

From your and Kathy’s comment, a conclusion I make is it’s better to consume news from media other than TV.

Akomolede,
I agree that the news has good information in it, but it can also spread negativity. So I think we should be selective and focus on our circle of influence (Gina’s comment).

Chika,
Yes, that’s what Pareto principle says. Applied to the news, 20% of the news gives 80% of the value we get. So we need to focus on the 20%.

Liara,

Their stress levels is proportional to the degree of conflict and negative stories they hear.

That’s true in my experience.

By: Liara Covert

Liara Covert — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:39:23 +0000

This point is very pertinent to Western society and the state of mind of a large number of people. I am particularrly aware of certain individuals who listen to news morning noon and night. Their stress levels is proportional to the degree of conflict and negative stories they hear. What they are told is what they accept and permit to effect their energy vibration and life perspective.To give up listening to someone else’s version of what is important will change your life. Your health and well-being benefit in ways you only discover yourself via experience. The truth must be felt.