I totally get you. My way of staying sane is to find a place where I can act and do some good. Even if, obviously, it doesn't make the slightest change to the big, big issues you listed.
Also reading about all the cool new stuff scientists invent every day, especially advances in the field of medicine gives me some hope.
I have also subscribed to a good news newsletter recently, and that little bit of positive news help balance all the stuff that makes the headlines.
Finally, I tried to remind myself of the selection bias of media. Good news don't sell. They are under represented by a massive factor in the information space. But they do exist if you look for them.
Ask HN: How are you all staying sane?
171–175 of 175 posts
Re: Ask HN: How are you all staying sane?
#172One thing I have noticed is that people rarely break from one massive fear, and more often it is the accumulation of too many unresolved things sitting in the background at once.
At some point the mind stops treating them as separate and just experiences all of it as pressure. Stepping away helps, but so does reducing how many of those things you let live in your head at the same time.
Re: Ask HN: How are you all staying sane?
#173Easy… I lean into my unraveling sanity.
Re: Ask HN: How are you all staying sane?
#174Stop consuming news media. It's actually that simple.
Re: Ask HN: How are you all staying sane?
#175I am astounded by how many comments recommend completely withdrawing from worldly matters. While I can understand why this may seem like a smart move, it cannot be the right choice ethically (think of Kant’s categorical imperative). Of course, you cannot directly influence world politics. But choosing a small area where you can make something better—anything that positively affects your fellow human beings—seems to m…
As a bit of a counterpoint, I'd say focusing on world politics can make you less effective at effecting local change. The amount of anger in my Blue city to the Trump admin has made more of our attention focus on Palestine or ICE and less on traffic safety or local tax revenue. We can save lives right here, right now by focusing on traffic safety. But 100x more people show up to a Gaza rally than a DOT hearing on tra…
I understand your point and I would agree. Most likely there is no general right approach. One has to navigate based on skillset, personality, environment and so on. I see the problem only if all the "good" people withdraw, there are always some on the other side who will take advantage thereof.