Disengaging from the news

I find myself skipping a lot of articles as I read the newspapers each morning. I don’t read news from social media. I even turn off NPR now and again as the news stories become redundant. I don’t have cable TV and I mostly watch the streamed local newscast just for the weather.

Am I becoming a less caring person in my old age by disengaging from national and international news?

Part of my disengagement is made easier by the sheer repetitiveness of mass media. Just how many stories about new military actions in Ukraine do I want to read? How many shootings in Minneapolis should draw my eye? How many idiotic things said by Trump, Greene, or Santos should I spend time engaging with? Should I be tracking daily the rise and fall of COVID cases, stock market changes, or legislative actions (or inactions)? How important is it that I, as a Minnesotan, should be watching weather events in California?

OK, for the people directly involved, most of these are things they should be well aware of. As they impact me or those about whom I care, now or in the future, I should maintain factual awareness, if for no other reason than to help inform my vote in the next political cycle. But am I an unfeeling thoughtless human for just skimming the headlines and not reading every paragraph of every story?

One concept that may apply to what one should read is the relationship between one’s “Circle of Influence” and “Circle of Concern” described by Stephen Covey in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Most people’s Circle of Concern is far larger than their Circle of Influence. (I am concerned about global warming, but my ability to stop it is relatively small.) Covey states, “Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about.” Should this advice also apply to what one spends time in information gathering?

Perhaps “disengagement” is not a fault, but a strength. Why waste one’s time and emotions on things which one can do little about, have little impact on one’s life, that have no purpose but to rile the masses?

I will probably read the daily newspaper on my deathbed if newspapers still exist. I will keep listening to NPR news until my children take away my car keys. But I will continue to be selective about what I spend my time trying to comprehend.

Comments

[Michael Walker]

Doug,
While I understand the mental health aspects of this, I also feel that there is a great deal of privilege in being able to disengage. I think that it is important to be aware of injustice and efforts to undermine democracy, and to amplify marginalized voices.
Just my 2 cents.
Mike

[Floyd Pentlin]

I have disengaged completely from all TV news in general since the Trump era began. I despise the way the news is presented with the breathless, breaking news voice, and I agree - how many times can on hear about the same breaking news crisis that is now hour/days old? I still read two newspapers every day so I get headlines, and depth of my choosing.

[Mandy]

I’ve disengaged greatly from the news and social media. I see a few headlines, but I just don’t want to focus wasted attention on things that I’m not even sure I’m getting the truth about. I’ve hidden so many people from my Facebook feed that I hardly see anyone. I get overwhelmed with it all, so it’s just important for my well-being right now.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Mike,

You make an excellent point. As I wrote in the post, we do owe it to our fellow human beings to stay aware of the struggles that may not impact us directly so that we can take some actions (like informed voting or charitable giving). 

Meanwhile, I will let you worry about the Royal Family and the Kardashians.

Good to hear from you!

Doug

Hi Floyd,

Good to hear from you. Nice to know I am not the only person frustrated by some of today's news programming!

Doug

Hi Mandy,

Yes, I have muted a number of people and sources on Facebook (really my only social media platform). Social media may be a good place to find opinions (some informed, some not), but not factual information.

Doug