 |
| Thich Nhat Hanh (Photo by pixiduc) |
Long ago, Henry David Thoreau pointed out that what we call news is nothing but gossip.
Others have been even less complimentary. In his poem, The Good
News, Thich Nhat Hanh states, “They only print what is wrong.” He explains, “The good news is that you are
alive, and the linden tree is still there, standing firm in the harsh winter.”
Even the media is turning itself in. A recent headline from The
Guardian warned folks that “News is bad for you – and giving up reading it will make you happier.” This article went on to compare the consumption of news to that of junk food.
The 24/7 cycle makes heroes of celebrities while often ignoring everyday angels. It not only
overwhelms us to the point of passivity, but also discourages clear and profound thinking.
So what’s a citizen to do?
Lay aside all newspapers, smartphones and remotes? Perhaps that’s not practical or necessary. Why not choose sources carefully and consider different perspectives, rather than clicking and clucking routinely?
Resources
Copyright May 19, 2020 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment