> But to act like negative news is making us think the world is worse than it is is just sheltered.
I disagree, I think that's exactly what negative news does.
Your 5 terrible things actually underscore another point, often the negative news makes us also feel helpless.
We can all vote; some of us have free time to volunteer; some of us have spare cash we can donate.
I'm not sure what I am supposed to do though on a day-to-day basis as the horrible news keeps coming.
Anecdote: I cut the wire (nixed cable TV) over 20 years ago when I started a family.
What a shock it was then when on road trips our family would find ourselves in a Best Western breakfast room with cable news showing explosions, people being set on fire by Isis, planes crashing, dead children washing ashore. I would have a momentary panic attack thinking that, just as we headed out for vacation, the world decided to come crashing down.
I learned to calm down, remind myself that, at any given time there is always something horrible happening on Earth and that the news is going to make sure you know about it.
I'm informed. I vote. But I also want to have a waffle from time to time without my hands shaking with fear.
that's why I say self-care is important. we can't take too much individual responsibility for the world's issues. and if we don't let ourselves enjoy life when we can, then there's no point in even saving this world. but that's different from saying "the world is actually better than we think it is." the world is actually terrible. but we can still carve out some joy for ourselves when we can without deluding ourselves.
I disagree, I think that's exactly what negative news does.
Your 5 terrible things actually underscore another point, often the negative news makes us also feel helpless.
We can all vote; some of us have free time to volunteer; some of us have spare cash we can donate.
I'm not sure what I am supposed to do though on a day-to-day basis as the horrible news keeps coming.
Anecdote: I cut the wire (nixed cable TV) over 20 years ago when I started a family.
What a shock it was then when on road trips our family would find ourselves in a Best Western breakfast room with cable news showing explosions, people being set on fire by Isis, planes crashing, dead children washing ashore. I would have a momentary panic attack thinking that, just as we headed out for vacation, the world decided to come crashing down.
I learned to calm down, remind myself that, at any given time there is always something horrible happening on Earth and that the news is going to make sure you know about it.
I'm informed. I vote. But I also want to have a waffle from time to time without my hands shaking with fear.