Why You Should Stop Watching the News
I think everybody should stop watching the news. When you do, your life will improve almost overnight. You will experience less anxiety, have more focus, and get precious time back.
However, many people have a hard time dropping the habit. It is not only that the news is so addictive; it is also peer pressure. You allegedly must watch the news — to keep informed, to be a better citizen.
Here is how to get over this fallacy.
I.
The news is an addiction, and we are junkies looking for the next shot.
If you harbor any doubts that the news is an addiction (I include social media here), leave the house for a few hours, but don’t take your smartphone. Then feel the pang of disappointment every time you reach for your smartphone, but remember it’s not there.
II.
Why do we crave the news so much? Because we are hardwired for gossip.
In prehistoric times, gossiping would increase our chances for survival and procreation. It was useful to know what was going on in the tribe, who was allying with whom, who was currently sexually available, etc. That’s why gossiping became part of our genetic framework.
But since then, our environment has radically changed. In hyperconnected mass cultures, there is now an indefinite amount of gossip to process. This inevitably leads to burnout.
III.
"But I need to know what is going on in the world. I need to keep myself educated!"
No, you don’t. You just need your daily dose of drama.
If it really was about the information, we would try to retain it. But ask anyone what was on the news one year ago, and they will give you a blank look. Because they don’t know and they don't care anymore.
Nothing could be older than the daily news, nothing deader than yesterday’s newspaper.
— Edward Abbey
What we really crave is drama to spike up our uneventful lives. Some people resort to fiction or movies for that. But it doesn’t provide the same kick. We still know it’s an illusion. But a high school shooting? A terrorist attack? A genocide? Now, that gets the juices flowing.
There is a common catchphrase in journalism — "If it bleeds, it leads." It’s true. The media deals in outrage, not in information.
IV.
According to the media, the world is a horror movie. Just go to the news website of your choice and look at the common themes — corruption, crime, war, natural disasters, and celebrity scandals.
Is this an accurate representation of your reality? Probably not.
Expose yourself to this doomsday bias regularly, and it will shape how you think and feel. You will get angry at the world. You will become suspicious.
It will result in a fear-driven personality. You will fixate on problems that don't concern you while your real life passes you by.
V.
Journalism is not about the truth. It is about profit.
Just consider the layout of newspapers, the online clickbait, and how social media algorithms are designed. Their sole purpose — to keep us hooked.
Because if we keep watching, it means the news provider gets to show us more ads, which in turn means more revenue and more data to sell.
Stop assigning the news this elevated status in your life as if they were some mouthpiece of the truth. Like any corporation, they are just trying to make a buck off you.
VI.
There are two approaches to quitting the news:
Going cold turkey
Gradually weaning yourself off
Going cold turkey is self-explanatory — you quit the news completely, from one day to the next. It’s the tougher option of the two, but it can be done. Make sure to not introduce any other demanding habits at the same time. Focus your willpower on one thing.
Alternatively, you can gradually wean yourself off the news. For example, agree with yourself to not check any news or social media until 10 am. Once you are comfortable with that, extend the rule to 11 am, then to noon, etc.
In either case, set yourself a small goal. For example, stick with the new behavior for a week. This will take the pressure off. If, after that week, you want to continue the experiment, just agree on another seven days with yourself.
Finally, remove triggers. Here are a few ideas:
Delete any news apps from your phone.
Block your favorite news sites on your computer using a browser extension like BlockSite.
Cancel any news-related email subscriptions you might have.
When you leave the house, don’t take your smartphone.
If all of this sounds too much like sacrificing, I can reassure you — it will only feel like this in the beginning. Once you get over this addiction, your life will in fact become more enjoyable. You will have more time and headspace to do fun things, like going to the beach for a quick swim (which is what I will do now).
Until next week,
Niels