Life with no news

For the last year, I have been on a near 100% media fast. With the exception of election night and the few days following where it still looked close, I have not intentionally consumed any newspaper, news radio or news television since May of 2020.

I am sure that this sounds irresponsible to many, but it has probably been one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my entire life. Not hearing about all of the ridiculous issues we debate or being frustrated by how the media reports certain events (and non-events, that they for whatever reason compulsively cover), all while remaining blissfully ignorant about tragedies that I cannot (or will not) do anything about, has been one of the most liberating feelings.

The world can certainly be a sad place, but not compared to the post-apocalyptic fantasyland that the media creates each day with “breaking news“ that isn’t worthy of being called “breaking” and isn’t really “news” in the first place.

I’m not saying I’m right; I’m just saying that this is what I do, and it has felt great. If you think that being informed is critical and that I’m somehow neglecting my responsibility as a mature adult, I’m not saying that you’re wrong necessarily.

But what is indisputable is that for most people, knowing what is happening in the news has zero impact on any microscopic portion of the earth. But it also tends to consume our most precious commodities: our time and the focus that we give our time.

Life with no news has been good for me. If you’re willing to give it a try, let me know what you think.