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No Need to Feel Ashamed for Not Following the News
There are other and better ways to be informed
In a social gathering, the conversation usually turns to the latest news story. At that point, I withdraw and let the talk swirl around me. I listen and learn, but make no effort to join in. No one notices, except for others who, like me, don’t follow the news. The rest are too focused on what they want to say to listen to genuinely listen. It’s frustrating when the person who’s talking about something that you‘re interested in gets interrupted by someone whose eagerness overrides basic courtesy.
The reasons why many people follow the news come from a desire to seem intelligent or hope for relief from anxiety in the form of answers. Some of us struggle with uncertainty. Others among us operate under the subconscious belief that we can control outcomes by worrying hard enough. Perhaps the most compelling reason is FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
Christen Monty lists 5 benefits of keeping up with the news. These were true before the digital news destroyed quality journalism. Joana Kendrick of Patch.com wrote Why you should watch the news in 2017, claiming the benefits of “reputable news sources” including CNN and MSNBC News. Can any digital news source that depends on clicks to thrive financially be considered “reputable” or even useful?
