Chikirin Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 The internet and news media gives me too much information about stuff that doesn't affect me, yet still gets me all worked up. How do you handle it? It can't really be shut off, e.g., if I go get a slice of pizza there might be a t.v. blaring. So I guess I have to learn to handle it. I just don't know how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator buffettphan Posted September 13, 2012 Super Moderator Share Posted September 13, 2012 Selective hearing -- it's a trait I learned from my hubby. Seriously though, I know what you mean. Sometimes for my own sanity, I just have to turn off the tv, avoid the newspaper, and most importantly ignore the ramblings of religious rightards. If all else fails, I pull out the ol' trusty earbuds and listen to my favorite music while blocking out everything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryG Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Know what you mean. Try being a person who has to keep track of some of the worst sh*it in order to report on it. Yikes! The most helpful thing I've found (other than drinking and drugs ;-) ) is just allowing yourself to get away when it overwhelms you. Just shut all the tech down, take long walk in the woods or on the beach, soak in a tub, fix yourself a gourmet meal, pet the cat. Stay AWAY from it for a few days. That'll improve your perspective hugely. It'll eventually get to you again. But each time it does, just give yourself permission to walk away. And remember that no matter how hellish the news gets, for the most part the world and people in it are good. What's on the news and on online discussion groups, etc. is an aberration. We've become conditioned to give it more importance in our lives than it deserves. I've had to get really experienced over the years at doing things to change my perspective on it. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryG Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 BTW, you don't have to get that slice of pizza. It really is possible to get away and out into nature. Another thing that helps is meaningful projects. Making things. Growing things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
par4dcourse Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I've had the same feeling lately. I want to put my fingers in my ears and shut my eyes, but I can't watch porn that way. I find some consolation in knowing the media is deliberately trying to push our buttons. Fear sells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikirin Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 I know that Kim Kardashian's mom just got breast implants. How the fuck do I know that? I don't want to know that, I don't need to know that, but I do. I can't buy a loaf of bread and some milk without hearing how the guy on Twilight got cheated on. Again, I don't want to know about that, but I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Positivist Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I have a vivid imagination and some news stories literally torment me for months. Two thoughts, from experience: 1. Turn off/ignore the news that is overwhelming for you. (Sometimes I jam my fingers in my ears and yell "LA LA LA LA LA LA LA" as I run from the room or silence the TV. 2. Think globally, but act locally. You can't save Africa, but you can walk dogs at the humane society, become a big brother/sister to a kid in need of a mentor, pay for a microloan in Africa, or just help a little old lady across the street. Just do what you can to incrementally make the world a better place. All the best with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikirin Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 Too bad there's no Hell for all those people to end up in, I'm serious. Not the poor people in Africa, the Kardashians i mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephie Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I hear you. Sometimes I just don't check the news on purpose. I don't want to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentknight Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I get my news from websites I trust and like. Generally sites that post stuff I want to know about. I can't stand to watch the TV news, and I never do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninj Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Yeah, I don't even bother watching TV anymore, all the news on it these days is just depressing. I just get my news from certain websites and that's that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Positivist Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Too bad there's no Hell for all those people to end up in... Same. I used to find some level of comfort knowing believing that child abusers and animal abusers might just roast in hell. I have let go of my "just-world hypothesis" and have come to have some peace that shit happens and people do nasty shit everywhere. All I can do is come home at the end of the day, hug my family, love my dogs, and pour my passion into alleviating the pain of those around me--to something as tiny as rescuing a drowning bug from the pool. We can only do so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Positivist Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 ...rescuing a drowning bug from the pool. . Yes, I rescue drowning ants and even wasps from the wading pool. What struck me as I typed this is that God is supposed to be so incredibly compassionate and just and merciful. He never rescued me, and yet I stoop to notice and rescue drowning insects. Am I more compassionate than God?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted September 14, 2012 Super Moderator Share Posted September 14, 2012 I like to keep up on scientific advances and any impending laws I need to oppose. There is a lot of stupid news bombarding us, but I'd rather be informed than live in a self-made vacuum. What goes on out there affects me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted September 14, 2012 Super Moderator Share Posted September 14, 2012 Am I more compassionate than God?????? [invokes Godwin] Even Hitler was more compassionate; at least he didn't drown the entire world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninj Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 And he loved dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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