I don't want to close my eyes to what is happening in the world, but between Ferguson, Ukraine, and terrorism in general I am unable to avoid feeling depressed with the situations in the world. With my distrust of the media I feel that everything is overblown with extremely negative effects. Seriously, I can feel the depression and I'm pretty sure the cause is the news coverage. I can't turn on any news source without being inundated with images of Ferguson and Ukraine. There are no news channel that I have access to which are not doing this and as a news junky it is having a really negative effect on me.
I dont think the world is fundamentally any worse than it was.
The only difference is that due to technology we now hear about it, all of it... Tho i do agree the media is partly to blame for driving things in to the ground, to fit their agendas.. But its also our fault as a culture for demanding 24/7 news coverage of everything, and they are more than happy to oblige, for the sake of ratings....
I agree. We demanded it and we got it. Now we get to find out exactly how much of "it" we can handle, but the truth is, the trees will still fall in the forest, whether we hear about them or not. All in all tho, ignorance is not bliss.
I agree that the world isn't really any worse than it used to be. I disagree that the media has much of an agenda, they cater to what drives their quota i.e. what people want to see. Tells you something about us as a species.
Personally, I haven't seen much coverage of anything because we don't watch TV and don't listen to radio. Easy solution...
Originally posted by yellowstone: I disagree that the media has much of an agenda, they cater to what drives their quota i.e. what people want to see.
Me thinks you need to study history. Through out the ages media has always shaped what people think. Through out the ages, those in power have tried to control the media, because it is so effective. Which is why we have a Constitutional Amendment of freedom of the press. Not a guarantee that media won't be biased.
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Originally posted by dratts: I don't want to close my eyes to what is happening in the world, but between Ferguson, Ukraine, and terrorism in general I am unable to avoid feeling depressed with the situations in the world.
Meh ... suck it up butter cup. That is not even the tip of the iceberg. There are much more depressing things going on. The deterioration of our country tops my list. 2.5 said it best ...
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Originally posted by 2.5: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.
Though Steve's suggestion should work well too ...
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Originally posted by 84fiero123: try watching the Naked News, it may still have the depressing news on it but at least the women are naked ! http://www.metacafe.com/topics/naked_news/
Still, ... jokes are good. Did you hear the one about ... the patient who went to the doctor and complained the his arm hurt when he put in a certain position ? The doctor told him to stop putting it in that position, . I didn't say all jokes were good, . Quit watching the news. If anything important is going on, you can find out about it on PFF. We will tell you what to think, . The news depresses me too. Not as much as listening to Nobama speak, but listen to him I do. It is important to be informed. Though, as wise man once said, ... "all things in moderation". Don't overdose, .
Turn off the news.... stop reading stories online, etc... .maybe focus on local news and events. Usually they have more uplifting stories, depending on your location. Stop hanging out in O/T (here).
The world sucks and you have every right to not let it get you down. Frankly, 24/7 "news" (if you want to call it that) is not healthy.
Pick up a good book, watch some fun movies.... etc.
I agree that the world isn't really any worse than it used to be. I disagree that the media has much of an agenda, they cater to what drives their quota i.e. what people want to see. Tells you something about us as a species.
Personally, I haven't seen much coverage of anything because we don't watch TV and don't listen to radio. Easy solution...
Yup, as I have said, I turned on Fox News and couldn't stand watching them talk about everything negative. The world has not changed overnight. BUT, the Fox audience wants this type of doom/gloom... I say "let them have it"... and turn off their station (and similar ones)... block the channel, if you have to. Life is too short to worry about everything (especially those things you have no control over).
One has to have things going on to balance life against the worry of what if. Friends, events, hobbies, helping others, watching a sunset with someone you love. Praying. Like I mentioned ealier nature, fishing, building things, whatever you enjoy. Alot fo the time we just need perspective. There is also the physical. Sedentary life with sugar or caffiene highs doesnt help. Excercise fights depression. Good diet fights depression. Drinking alcohol to forget doesnt help depression. Research some of this too. Serious depression may require a doctor, remember that too.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-21-2014).]
Personally, I haven't seen much coverage of anything because we don't watch TV and don't listen to radio. Easy solution...
Exactly.. If you have time to sit and watch news, you're wasting your life away. Not only are you flat out wasting time, but you're letting it affect you in a very negative way.
I completely stopped watching TV, listening to the radio, and reading anything that relates to current events. The only reason I visit PFF is to get a glimpse of what is going on in the world in OT and other interesting tidbits. Otherwise mass media has no affect on me whatsoever and my life is much better that way. Call me ignorant, but I'm putting in 100% of my effort to better my own life instead if worrying about things I can't imagine of controlling.
[This message has been edited by nitroheadz28 (edited 08-21-2014).]
I cut the cord and only have antenna tv and netflicks thru roku. IMO constantly watching CNN, Fox news or MSNBC can result in a distorted and depressing view of the world. I agree with 2.5, get outside and do something you like. I even find that the weather news is sensationalized now.
I stopped watching the news 2 years ago and my life is so much better without it. It's funny when people bring up a news story to me, I just politely decline the information and go about my day.
If it wasn't for the news I'd never have known about my county recently taking delivery of an MRAP(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle.
I'd also never have heard our local S.W.A.T. commander say this:
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Sgt. Dan Downing of the Morgan County Sheriff's Department states, "When I first started we really didn't have the violence that we see today," adding, "The weaponry is totally different now that it was in the beginning of my career, plus, you have a lot of people who are coming out of the military that have the ability and knowledge to build IEDs and to defeat law enforcement techniques."
Pretty ignorant statement by your Sgt Downing. There have always been a huge number of former servicemen/women with the knowledge and ability to build what we now call IEDs. From WW2, thru Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq-that hasn't changed at all. Now if the good Sgt is so old that he falls in between ww2 and ww1, then it might be an accurate statement, but I suspect he's not that long in tooth. and I'd have to wonder why the non-rank grabber is just now a Sgt after all these decades.....
I am unable to avoid feeling depressed with the situations in the world.
When I grow tired of hearing about all the strife in the world (and/or getting involved with useless arguments), I avoid O/T and spend more time in the tech forums. Seriously.
If it wasn't for the news I'd never have known about my county recently taking delivery of an MRAP(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle.
That is an awsome truck We need a lot more of equiptment like that to stay ahead of the ever evolving crimes and criminals, including terrorism.
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Originally posted by Rallaster:
I'd also never have heard our local S.W.A.T. commander say this:
[QUOTE]Sgt. Dan Downing of the Morgan County Sheriff's Department states, "When I first started we really didn't have the violence that we see today," adding, "The weaponry is totally different now that it was in the beginning of my career, plus, you have a lot of people who are coming out of the military that have the ability and knowledge to build IEDs and to defeat law enforcement techniques."
It is very unfortunate that the World "needs" stuff like this, but this is what is used in other countries and no doubt it would be truly ignorant to not prepare for what may be a terrorist attack or some other mass crime wave to large for current tools. Good for them on being proactive.
[This message has been edited by Rickady88GT (edited 08-21-2014).]
When I grow tired of hearing about all the strife in the world (and/or getting involved with useless arguments), I avoid O/T and spend more time in the tech forums. Seriously.
Good idea. To totally turn it off the outside World works in short turm, but long term tuneout is breeding ignorance.
Yup, as I have said, I turned on Fox News and couldn't stand watching them talk about everything negative. The world has not changed overnight. BUT, the Fox audience wants this type of doom/gloom... I say "let them have it"... and turn off their station (and similar ones)... block the channel, if you have to. Life is too short to worry about everything (especially those things you have no control over).
Well you can always watch ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN and hear the Obama slant that all is rosy in the US (except for Ferguson) and just a few things happening in the rest of the world except for global warming which destroy the world by next year.
Fox news has been caught several times making up false stories
Two things about this comment: Are you saying Fox actually made up stories and passed it off as real news, or have they got false reports and aired it? The second thing is that false stories have been inadvertently reported by a lot of agencies(I know shame on them) it at least once.
They (Fox) and others are guilty of both making up news stories and broadcasting/printing "news" that is not factual. It's not a big thing in today's world, where virtually anyone can become a "journalist" almost overnight simply by starting a blog.
Try turning off the TV and listen to radio news. You will get a totally different perspective. Fox News Radio is actually pretty balanced unlike Fox TV. ABC radio news is silly after the first three minutes but is pretty good until the "lighter side" CBS Radio news is by far the most balanced I have ever heard over the years and I have been a news junkie since the 1950s.
Newspapers publish AP national stories and most of their reporting is fair. Local papers are editorially driven and with no oversight since Reagan's deregulation of the media, newspapers are less objective and fair but still beat TV "news" by a mile.
They (Fox) and others are guilty of both making up news stories and broadcasting/printing "news" that is not factual. It's not a big thing in today's world, where virtually anyone can become a "journalist" almost overnight simply by starting a blog.
I thought "Enders Game" (the book, not the movie, not that it matters, as I hated them both, ME.....a guy who submerges himself into good Science Fiction!) was a bunch of bullcrap; "Blogs change the World".......gimmee an 'effin' break!
It turns out, truth really IS stranger than fiction. Now, I mostly just feel like puking...
I prefer BBC news that comes on both radio and TV later at night. 2nd would be Reuters, a news gathering organzation. BBC doesn't have many dogs in the fight regarding US stories and you get a much less biased touch with them than from any of the 3-4 major US "news" companies. YMMV
Rickady what I meant was they frequently misrepresent the facts or present half truths. I agree that the BBC reports tend to be more factual and less biased. I think if we are honest about it we can say that Fox is more the Republican/Tea Party news outlet and CNN slants towards the Democrats and Independents.
BBC doesn't have many dogs in the fight regarding US stories and you get a much less biased touch with them than from any of the 3-4 major US "news" companies.
They (Fox) and others are guilty of both making up news stories and broadcasting/printing "news" that is not factual. It's not a big thing in today's world, where virtually anyone can become a "journalist" almost overnight simply by starting a blog.
It is amazing to me that any "news agency" would make up a story and air it. BUT I am sure it has been done. But we agree on this
Well you can always watch ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN and hear the Obama slant that all is rosy in the US (except for Ferguson) and just a few things happening in the rest of the world except for global warming which destroy the world by next year.
Oh please... you and I both know that Fox news is the right wing outlet. They are no longer "fair and balanced"... They are out to give their audience exactly what they want.... bash Obama, tell us how the USA is falling to pieces, most people in American are lazy, and don't forget those good Christian values... they need to promote those. Fox news caters to their audience.... and if that is what you want, feel free to watch, but don't tell me that the others are giving the Obama slant... (whatever that is), because it is not true, if you, like me, can see what media outlets like Fox News are dishing out to keep their ratings up (and that is really what it is all about.... ratings, ads, money.... saying anything to bring in the money).
It is very unfortunate that the World "needs" stuff like this, but this is what is used in other countries and no doubt it would be truly ignorant to not prepare for what may be a terrorist attack or some other mass crime wave to large for current tools. Good for them on being proactive.
Good for who to have? The Police? Are our police supposed to take on terrorist and massive crime waves? Even with these tools, they would still be ineffective. The police are for local issues, not to defend our country.... as I see it. Police are your friends and neighbors.... they know the people and the area.
(We have city police, sheriff, state police, border patrol, customs and ICE in my town.... way too many in my book, but so far they seem to be working well together.)
. I didn't say all jokes were good, 
