The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News • Hacker News Board

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#161

Post by slg » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:21 AM UTC

netfl0 wrote: post #158

slg wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It needs to be pointed out that this is an option that originates from privilege. Ignoring the news means ignoring politics. Ignoring politics is tacit support of the status quo. The status quo does not put everyone on equal footing. Disadvantaged people would therefore suffer more from disengaging with the news than people of privilege.

Why is ignoring media tacit support of the status quo?

Because being politically active at any thing but the most basic level requires knowledge of the issues and knowledge of the issues requires following the news. If you are not politically active you are supporting the status quo because you are not putting in any effort to change the status quo.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#162

Post by yourbandsucks » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:24 AM UTC

slg wrote: post #157

steelframe wrote: post #14

I stopped reading the news about a year ago. I felt like my emotions were being manipulated by a sharply-honed system built precisely to invoke outrage and draw you in to read more and more of it. I've been able to direct my focus and energy to much more productive tasks since I disconnected. Of course I entirely missed that whole Supreme Court thing until after it was over, and I have no idea what people around me a…

It needs to be pointed out that this is an option that originates from privilege. Ignoring the news means ignoring politics. Ignoring politics is tacit support of the status quo. The status quo does not put everyone on equal footing. Disadvantaged people would therefore suffer more from disengaging with the news than people of privilege.

Are you serious?

Like disadvantaged people are gonna read something in the NYT and then successfully lobby their congressman to change it?

Serenity to accept what you can't change is absolutely the most effective strategy for those who don't have the means to change things. Worry about your family first, work within the constraints you have. That's reality for a lot of people. I'd argue it's 'privileged' to think otherwise.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#163

Post by AWildC182 » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:24 AM UTC

netfl0 wrote: post #158

slg wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It needs to be pointed out that this is an option that originates from privilege. Ignoring the news means ignoring politics. Ignoring politics is tacit support of the status quo. The status quo does not put everyone on equal footing. Disadvantaged people would therefore suffer more from disengaging with the news than people of privilege.

Why is ignoring media tacit support of the status quo?

Because you don't have to worry about your kids being separated from you at the border, being bombed by the Saudis, or losing our homes to climate change related events.

Most of the things the news covers disproportionately effect destitute-through-low-income individuals.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#164

Post by irq » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:28 AM UTC

irq wrote: post #58

clay_the_ripper wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did the same thing about 4 years ago and haven’t looked back. I find though that a lot of people are actually offended by it since I have no clue what thing they and everyone else is outraged about. I get accused of not caring, being disengaged, blah blah blah. It’s difficult to explain to people who are still deep in outrage mode, so I mostly avoid taking about it. My life is so much better since cutting out the new…

Honest question, how do you turn off your empathy for the suffering of your fellow countrymen? Which is what ignoring their plight would require (at least, it would for me).

I wanted to start an honest discussion but my thread seems to have quickly devolved into the haves vs have nots of a capacity for empathy. Which is not my intention. This is probably my fault, for not considering enough viewpoints before writing my question.

Let’s consider starting from this standpoint instead: Everyone has differing levels of empathy and it’s not going to be the same for every person. Despite this, we all need to get along and work towards whatever our individual goals are peacefully.

Given this vast spectrum of empathy, advice from the extreme edges of that spectrum (“just tune out all news 100%” on one end, “cry for every single suffering being everywhere” on the other end) is particularly useless, because the only reason this situation even exists in the first place is because of extremism / polarization.

Where do we go from here?

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#165

Post by andrei_says_ » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:28 AM UTC

slg wrote: post #157

steelframe wrote: post #14

I stopped reading the news about a year ago. I felt like my emotions were being manipulated by a sharply-honed system built precisely to invoke outrage and draw you in to read more and more of it. I've been able to direct my focus and energy to much more productive tasks since I disconnected. Of course I entirely missed that whole Supreme Court thing until after it was over, and I have no idea what people around me a…

It needs to be pointed out that this is an option that originates from privilege. Ignoring the news means ignoring politics. Ignoring politics is tacit support of the status quo. The status quo does not put everyone on equal footing. Disadvantaged people would therefore suffer more from disengaging with the news than people of privilege.

Thank you for this.

I am really hoping that one day we can somehow arrive at clean useful and possibly actionable news streams which balance issues and positive/celebratory information.

Today’s news large outlets create anxiety rage and suffering and serve as a tool for separation and propaganda. This experience is extremely toxic and one needs to exercise high level of discipline and often sacrifice well being in order to stay informed.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#166

Post by AWildC182 » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:29 AM UTC

yourbandsucks wrote: post #162

slg wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It needs to be pointed out that this is an option that originates from privilege. Ignoring the news means ignoring politics. Ignoring politics is tacit support of the status quo. The status quo does not put everyone on equal footing. Disadvantaged people would therefore suffer more from disengaging with the news than people of privilege.

Are you serious? Like disadvantaged people are gonna read something in the NYT and then successfully lobby their congressman to change it? Serenity to accept what you can't change is absolutely the most effective strategy for those who don't have the means to change things. Worry about your family first, work within the constraints you have. That's reality for a lot of people. I'd argue it's 'privileged' to think oth…

They can't change it but they still need to know to prepare for it. If the GOP killed the ACA, millions of people would need to immediately take action to find alternative support. Most of us on here would be fine either way.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#167

Post by malvosenior » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:29 AM UTC

slg wrote: post #161

netfl0 wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is ignoring media tacit support of the status quo?

Because being politically active at any thing but the most basic level requires knowledge of the issues and knowledge of the issues requires following the news. If you are not politically active you are supporting the status quo because you are not putting in any effort to change the status quo.

Politics aren’t the only way to change the status quo. In fact they’re not good at it at all. Uber and AirBnB changed the status quo far more than any politician in my lifetime.

Also, most people’s personal issues trump any macro issue by far. You can change your status quo. It’s almost impossible for an individual to change the status quo and definitely not through typical political engagement.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#168

Post by yourbandsucks » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:33 AM UTC

AWildC182 wrote: post #166

yourbandsucks wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you serious? Like disadvantaged people are gonna read something in the NYT and then successfully lobby their congressman to change it? Serenity to accept what you can't change is absolutely the most effective strategy for those who don't have the means to change things. Worry about your family first, work within the constraints you have. That's reality for a lot of people. I'd argue it's 'privileged' to think oth…

They can't change it but they still need to know to prepare for it. If the GOP killed the ACA, millions of people would need to immediately take action to find alternative support. Most of us on here would be fine either way.

Immediately take what action, specifically, in your ACA hypothetical? Honestly asking.

Best I can come up with is "hope your kids don't get sick", followed by "ignore calls from debt collectors on that emergency room bill".

Reading the news obsessively and buying into the culture war actually does nothing to make those strategies more effective. Just saps energy that could be spent elsewhere.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#169

Post by draw_down » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:34 AM UTC

slg wrote: post #157

steelframe wrote: post #14

I stopped reading the news about a year ago. I felt like my emotions were being manipulated by a sharply-honed system built precisely to invoke outrage and draw you in to read more and more of it. I've been able to direct my focus and energy to much more productive tasks since I disconnected. Of course I entirely missed that whole Supreme Court thing until after it was over, and I have no idea what people around me a…

It needs to be pointed out that this is an option that originates from privilege. Ignoring the news means ignoring politics. Ignoring politics is tacit support of the status quo. The status quo does not put everyone on equal footing. Disadvantaged people would therefore suffer more from disengaging with the news than people of privilege.

I suppose so. But there is no shame in taking whatever privilege you're handed, the shame is more around how privilege gets distributed. And there is no honor in getting upset and sad at the news every day.

I stopped reading the news just like GP did, but way more than a year ago. You tend to hear about the stuff that matters anyway.

Re: The Urgent Quest for Slower, Better News

#170

Post by Simon_says » Thu, Apr 11, 2019, 12:35 AM UTC

AWildC182 wrote: post #163

netfl0 wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is ignoring media tacit support of the status quo?

Because you don't have to worry about your kids being separated from you at the border, being bombed by the Saudis, or losing our homes to climate change related events. Most of the things the news covers disproportionately effect destitute-through-low-income individuals.

Watching the news didn't help them ...