Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Sometimes it's Hard to Find Good News - But It's Worth Looking For

 As a longtime journalist I know that good news doesn't sell newspapers, but bad (or sensational) news does.

In college (during the early 70s) I had pragmatic journalism teachers that explained to us students that we were in the wrong profession if we were hoping to get rich.

When it came to selling newspapers, smart editors made it clear to their staff that when a dog bites a man it is not a story. Full stop. But... if a man bites a dog, then that's newsworthy.

That mentality hasn't changed today. It's just more widespread in social media platforms that didn't exist back then.

It's never been easy to find good news. Having said that a lot depends on what you're reading. 

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Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is within yourself in your way of thinking. - Marcus Aurelius

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There are numerous publications devoted to nothing but feel-good stories. Mainstream news on platforms from TV to social media want your jaw to drop in surprise (or horror) when you consume their products.

I tell people not to spend too much time absorbing the daily news. An hour of local news is okay. All the hate and chaos on the national news outlets can be detrimental to one's mental health, however.

I'm for staying informed, but there's so much trash on the air waves and internet that sorting through it all is a nerve-wracking task.

It's possible to be informed about what's happening in the world without having your blood pressure driven through the roof. You have to be selective. Don't get caught in a political bubble or a negative echo chamber.

As it stands, remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination. - Roy Goodman

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