Could you abstain?

izwozral

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Should we stop reading the news?
Mark Twain once said “If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed.”

Apparently, being mis-informed is now a national habit. Many of us wake up, immediately reach for our phones, then scroll through the most recent news to see what's gone wrong overnight. Then all through the day, we'll keep checking as more and more bad news pours in, making us anxious and listless. But even if we wanted to it is now almost impossible to escape the news.

News addiction has become so widespread, more of us are glued to rolling updates than ever before. The problem is that it’s doing our physical and especially our mental health, no good at all. Scientists now know that the brain is continually reshaping. Nerve cells break off old connections and create new ones. This ever-developing process of renewal depends on our habits and choices.

Nicholas Carr, a leading researcher say's that our brains are being rewired to adapt to “cursory reading, hurried and distracted thinking, and superficial learning.” This means the neuronal circuits necessary for deep thought and careful reading are dwindling.

Even if you were once a serious bookworm who could think deeply about what you were reading, you might now find that your mind wanders after just five or six paragraphs. Even worse, you might find yourself involuntarily reaching for your phone.

In the words of neuroscientist Michael Merzenich of the University of California: “We are training our brains to just read crap.” Unfortunately, news consumption is a vicious cycle that’s hard to get out of. Sensational headlines with negative dialogue creates stress, which in turn weakens our willpower. Without the willpower to put our phones down or turn off our computers, we just consume more and more news. And so the pattern continues.

The key to breaking our news habit is by what's called radical abstinence. We need to make a complete break lasting 20 days or more of no news at all. This is impossible for me as I need to keep up to date with event's that might affect my Client's money or security, but if you can handle the significant withdrawal effects, it might be worth you giving it a try.

By the end of these 20 days, you should be feeling the benefits, a new calm and the ability to think more clearly. I don't know if this is achievable, especially during lockdown, but as we all come out into the light on the other side of this horrendous pandemic, the science shows that if we take significant steps to reduce our consumption of mainstream worthless and depressing news, it will make us feel so much better.
 
Should we stop reading the news?
Mark Twain once said “If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed.”

Apparently, being mis-informed is now a national habit. Many of us wake up, immediately reach for our phones, then scroll through the most recent news to see what's gone wrong overnight. Then all through the day, we'll keep checking as more and more bad news pours in, making us anxious and listless. But even if we wanted to it is now almost impossible to escape the news.

News addiction has become so widespread, more of us are glued to rolling updates than ever before. The problem is that it’s doing our physical and especially our mental health, no good at all. Scientists now know that the brain is continually reshaping. Nerve cells break off old connections and create new ones. This ever-developing process of renewal depends on our habits and choices.

Nicholas Carr, a leading researcher say's that our brains are being rewired to adapt to “cursory reading, hurried and distracted thinking, and superficial learning.” This means the neuronal circuits necessary for deep thought and careful reading are dwindling.

Even if you were once a serious bookworm who could think deeply about what you were reading, you might now find that your mind wanders after just five or six paragraphs. Even worse, you might find yourself involuntarily reaching for your phone.

In the words of neuroscientist Michael Merzenich of the University of California: “We are training our brains to just read crap.” Unfortunately, news consumption is a vicious cycle that’s hard to get out of. Sensational headlines with negative dialogue creates stress, which in turn weakens our willpower. Without the willpower to put our phones down or turn off our computers, we just consume more and more news. And so the pattern continues.

The key to breaking our news habit is by what's called radical abstinence. We need to make a complete break lasting 20 days or more of no news at all. This is impossible for me as I need to keep up to date with event's that might affect my Client's money or security, but if you can handle the significant withdrawal effects, it might be worth you giving it a try.

By the end of these 20 days, you should be feeling the benefits, a new calm and the ability to think more clearly. I don't know if this is achievable, especially during lockdown, but as we all come out into the light on the other side of this horrendous pandemic, the science shows that if we take significant steps to reduce our consumption of mainstream worthless and depressing news, it will make us feel so much better.
I really tried for about 4 weeks I just stopped reading anything or watching anything to do with Covid but it does slowly creep back into your daily life . 😞
 
Where do you think he'll go Rob? GB Britain with Andrew Neil seems a distinct possibility methinks.

Sounds like he's in demand Ral.

Andrew Neil (who is brilliant) has certainly stated that he wants him on the show. I wouldn't blame him if he takes a rest though, he doesn't really need the money!
 
Yes, we should stop absorbing too much news.
It does your head in and definitely is not good for your mental (ergo knock on = physical) health.

What we need is lockdown lifted just enough for us to have a camping meet get together that lasts the full recommended 20 days!

During that time several things might happen.

1. a magnificent group solution will have been devised that is going to save the world
2. some of us will be in a permanent alcoholic stupor
3. lots of good grub will have been munched sitting out in the fresh air and sunshine (or rain under awnings!)
4. we might burn an entire forest on the fire pit(s)
5. we'll all be sleeping a lot better

(y)(y)(y)
 
Yes, we should stop absorbing too much news.
It does your head in and definitely is not good for your mental (ergo knock on = physical) health.

What we need is lockdown lifted just enough for us to have a camping meet get together that lasts the full recommended 20 days!

During that time several things might happen.

1. a magnificent group solution will have been devised that is going to save the world
2. some of us will be in a permanent alcoholic stupor
3. lots of good grub will have been munched sitting out in the fresh air and sunshine (or rain under awnings!)
4. we might burn an entire forest on the fire pit(s)
5. we'll all be sleeping a lot better

(y)(y)(y)

I am so glad you didn't say together.
 
What would I do in the day? I look at the BBC news website with my morning tea and look at the newspaper front pages, then read the "I" while having breakfast and will read at least another two papers on the Pressreader app, courtesy of the local library, and listen to Radio Four all day. I know I'll get a life.
 
Theres NO WAY I could stop reading the news.

Mainly because I never really started, I used to watch breakfast TV years ago but with the sound off. Just liked to see Kate Garraway and then Susanne Reid's assets.

No point in listening as they aint going to tell you anything that makes you feel better about life.
 
I find that the Times on Saturday has all I need. I discovered that during the week the same stories are rehashed and repeated just to fill paper.
 
Sounds like he's in demand Ral.

Andrew Neil (who is brilliant) has certainly stated that he wants him on the show. I wouldn't blame him if he takes a rest though, he doesn't really need the money!
Yes, he ain't short of a few quid, he is looking a little tired though. A good few months break won't do him any harm, back fully recharged in time for pantomime season. :p :)
 
Being semi-detached from blighty, we don't have telly to bring us interetesting/ frightening, pictures, so we listen to the radio news.
Radio 4 is 50% government nudging, propaganda and parochial celebrity, 25% political correct speak and the rest means very little to us..

The World service gives a a less sensational, simplified language, and broader view of the depressing state of the news.
We listen to the 9am newscasts.
Then Radio4, Six o'clock news.
Both of them are currently giving coverage to the Myanmar situation.
But not a mention of the disaster that is Yemen.. not a dicky bird !

The news we hear is processed, filtered, and spun . We disregard most of it, as irrelevant and wrong.
Often we'll discuss what we've heard, during the evening.
It's surprising how little leaves any impression.
We're only visitors to this planet..
Just passing through, can't alter or affect anything.
The red wine was nice tonight..
The weather was pleasant.
We've got enough tablets.
That's all that has affected me tonight.


I
 
I always wonder why we are very obsessed with whats happening in the USA. Its a nice place but im not American. Id rather know whats going on here, Europe and maybe occassional international. The coverage of the USA election was huge! Im just about weened off the BBC watch a bit of Sky. Its just all negative stuff, not much positive. Funnily enough in Covid I was weeks ahead of many BBC stories just by a quick look on Youtube.
 
Oi..
!
Marie... Are you looking over my shoulder, as I type..?
I'm sure you're lovely response arrived before I pressed the, " Post reply button",
Or are you psycic?
 
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