I couldn't agree more. I love your point that news programs "exist to performatively skim the surface of headlines to heighten your emotions so you stay tuned in for advertisers."
There is nothing virtuous about simply knowing what's going on. As I wrote in my own election reflections post, it seems as though many people are operating as if they'll live forever. As if spending literally all day consuming the news–reading it in the morning, listening to it in the car, listening to it on headphones while cooking, watching it at night–is not a waste of time, accumulating to years of your one precious life. Do you want to doomscroll until you die?
This is a very convincing diatribe. Thank you for this. My parents are news junkies, but I will find an excuse to take them outside for something pleasant rather than the alternative. My whole family deserves a break from the fattiness of the American news media. Infotainment is a apt word, but I contend that it isn’t even information- to say so would be too kind.
As a recovering junkie, it’s a tough habit to break. It feels like learning, so it’s hard to be convinced that it’s damaging. Nice that you take them outside 🤣
On the one hand, I can see a strong argument for watching the inauguration because, whether or not you like Trump or our cable/social media news/entertainment, it is a historic moment. There is a value to cutting through commentary to see it for yourself and take stock of the situation. However, I'm in full agreement with Will's point on backing off our fix as news junkies and focusing on the areas where we can make a difference. Reconnect with friends and family, take a walk, get involved in doing something that makes a difference in the communities in which we live are not good for our souls but the soul of the countries. The conservative philosopher Edmund Burke had a similar observation that the majority of the relationships and institutions that give us meaning and make life worthwhile (what he called the "little platoons") are not political or partisan. Or one could probably get a lot more entertainment out of today by dropping LSD and listening to System of a Down. Your call.
Those first two sentences are important. I do think a well-rounded citizen in a good head space could watch the speech on its own, or read after. It’s of extremely limited value, but not worthless. (Originally I wanted to write a whole subsection on inaugural vibes - basically all you can get from an inaugural speech is vibes, even Lincoln’s second)
On the other hand, for the vast majority of people, I think a back-off is just what the doctor ordered.
I couldn't agree more. I love your point that news programs "exist to performatively skim the surface of headlines to heighten your emotions so you stay tuned in for advertisers."
There is nothing virtuous about simply knowing what's going on. As I wrote in my own election reflections post, it seems as though many people are operating as if they'll live forever. As if spending literally all day consuming the news–reading it in the morning, listening to it in the car, listening to it on headphones while cooking, watching it at night–is not a waste of time, accumulating to years of your one precious life. Do you want to doomscroll until you die?
This is a very convincing diatribe. Thank you for this. My parents are news junkies, but I will find an excuse to take them outside for something pleasant rather than the alternative. My whole family deserves a break from the fattiness of the American news media. Infotainment is a apt word, but I contend that it isn’t even information- to say so would be too kind.
As a recovering junkie, it’s a tough habit to break. It feels like learning, so it’s hard to be convinced that it’s damaging. Nice that you take them outside 🤣
On the one hand, I can see a strong argument for watching the inauguration because, whether or not you like Trump or our cable/social media news/entertainment, it is a historic moment. There is a value to cutting through commentary to see it for yourself and take stock of the situation. However, I'm in full agreement with Will's point on backing off our fix as news junkies and focusing on the areas where we can make a difference. Reconnect with friends and family, take a walk, get involved in doing something that makes a difference in the communities in which we live are not good for our souls but the soul of the countries. The conservative philosopher Edmund Burke had a similar observation that the majority of the relationships and institutions that give us meaning and make life worthwhile (what he called the "little platoons") are not political or partisan. Or one could probably get a lot more entertainment out of today by dropping LSD and listening to System of a Down. Your call.
Those first two sentences are important. I do think a well-rounded citizen in a good head space could watch the speech on its own, or read after. It’s of extremely limited value, but not worthless. (Originally I wanted to write a whole subsection on inaugural vibes - basically all you can get from an inaugural speech is vibes, even Lincoln’s second)
On the other hand, for the vast majority of people, I think a back-off is just what the doctor ordered.
What. And miss all the liberals exploding. Not a chance.