Why I Don’t Watch The News: The Low-Information Diet
My clients laugh at me… a lot.
One of the many reasons they think I’m so hilarious (;)) is something that might make you gasp.
Ready?
I don’t watch the news.
Not ever.
Some people think I prefer total ignorance. Some people think I’m just not smart enough to care.
You know what the truth is? I don’t have space for all the negativity that the news tries to instill upon us all day every day.
Seriously: When was the last time you heard a positive story on the news?
I’ll wait.
It doesn’t happen very often.
Now, I wasn’t always a news-avoider.
I used to listen to NPR on my way to work, trying to decipher the difference between the Shiites and the Sunnis, worrying about where my taxes were going and who I should be calling about it, and then staying up at night hoping that I didn’t succumb to the latest outbreak of animal-of-the-year flu.
My life was wrapped in worry and anxiety back then, every story fueling it to grow stronger.
As I began to change my life around, I started reading all I could about creating my ideal life. On my journey, I came across a book you may have heard of called The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. He talks about a little something called the Low-Information Diet.
Ferriss suggests that you “cultivate selective ignorance,” and I think he says it perfectly when he explains:
“Just as modern man consumes both too many calories and calories of no nutritional vale, information workers eat data both in excess and from the wrong sources.”
My little swing on it is that all the crap they feed us tends to push us into a paralyzed state of fear. After all, what can we really do about most things happening on the news? The lack of ability to control the situation leaves us feeling helpless and anxious.
Now, I prefer to be in a productive, action-oriented state of being. I like to do things. I like to make things happen in my life. I don’t like to worry myself about things I can’t control and, therefore, do not like to seek out information about them.
It’s my choice not to watch the news, to put down certain books that depress me, and to avoid altogether the newfangled fad of shock value that is horror movies because I prefer not to actively bring negativity into my life.
It’s just like I don’t plan on striking up conversation with a bully anytime soon.
And I don’t ask the über-trainers at the gym what they think of my Yogurtland addiction.
I am not missing out on anything I want to be a part of. My friends and family let me know when something’s going on that will affect me directly, and if I care about it, I find out the information I need by looking to the sources I trust most. And then I’m done with it.
Here’s the thing:
When you’re thinking about all the bad things that could possibly happen to the world, how much can you really focus on increasing the positive in your life?
Not much. All that brain space is being taken up by the what-ifs, anger, and sadness that stories like the ones all over the news produce. This makes us primarily reactive instead of active, and then we get scared into non-action because we cannot control those things.
What I’m going to recommend today is that you take a step back from being overly involved in the news and all the things we can’t control.
You don’t need to know every single thing that’s going on in the world, and who’s to say that information on the news isn’t a little bit doctored anyways?
As Ferriss says, use the time you would spend reading the news online, in print, or watching it on the TV, and instead do something. Like, accomplish something.
Your life is here. Right now.
You can be making your story that one positive one that hits the news, making thousands of other people’s day a little bit better. But you’re not going to do it sitting there scared and helpless.
Get out there. Get sh** done.
I know this is a controversial topic, so let’s talk. I want to hear your side of the argument.
In the comments below, tell us:
Are you pro- or anti-Low-Information Diet and why?
Ooh, this’ll be a fun one. :) Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Stay strong,
Amy
YES! Thank you for writing this! I am a recovering news junkie. I stopped watching and reading all main stream “news” about 2 years ago and started reading alternative media on the web. All Cable and Network news is not news, it’s all opinion. Let’s be honest, folks will tune into Chris Matthews on the left or Rush Limbaugh on the right because they cater to their pre-conceived belief structure. What you must realize is that all of these “experts” answer to their corporate bosses (the network that hosts them and their advertisers). Political tension promotes higher ratings, more advertising dollars and higher salaries for all these “news outlets”.
Not to mention it “angers up the blood.”
Think for yourself!
Whoa! I told you this was controversial! ;)
Thanks for this awesome comment, Ryan. I agree: there’s a lot of shock value in today’s news. The more horrifying, the better apparently. I refuse to heighten those shows’ ratings.
I’m definitely PRO- low information diet. I rarely watch the news, and if I do, I very very rarely get angry about what’s going on. If I do, it’s something I’m really very passionate about – mental health. I’ve seen how the stigma surrounding it affects people, and I want to do something about it. It does take a bit of research, but I will take what I need from it and leave it there.
I know it’s out of my control, so I don’t let it get to me. When I hear sad news stories, I just say, that’s sad yes, but I can’t do anything about it. What I can do is make my life positive, hopefully inspire others to do the same, and then together we will move towards a better place.
Linda recently posted..Of all the cheap treasures
That’s a great way to look at those stories, Linda. I try to do the same, but it’s hard for me not to get attached to it. I can definitely work on that.
I never listen to the broadcast news. I do listen to NPR but really try to limit what I listen to. I think a news purge is a great idea. All it does is make your worry about things that most of the time don’t ever happen.
PS/ Been meaning to tell you I’m down to three glassed of wine per week! I’m running faster and looking better thanks for getting me started with the 30-Day challenge. :)
Amazing, Beth! Congratulations on your accomplishments thus far! :)
I strongly urge you to try the news purge- try just 1 week and see how you like it. Let me know how you feel!
I’m torn on this. I do not “watch” the news (other than my time with Peter Jennings when he was alive.) But I do take in the news, mainly through reading which I think filters out some of the clutter that comes along with tone of voice, expression, etc.
Reading online allows me to self-select what I want to learn more about and from what source – i.e. slightly more left or right-leaning. Some of the best reporting out there, even on USA-related topics comes from the BBC. Dry as can be, but pretty accurate.
I’m fortunate because my work is philanthropy-based to have “in your face” access to really good, positive news. But so much of our work is directly related/influenced by a lot of the not so good news, which for better or worse, I need to be informed about.
But…on the weekends (for the most part), all bets are off:)
Glad to hear you have access that kind of positive news, Carolyn. It’s rare, so treasure it! :)
When I do hear about something I care about, I go to trusted sources online, too. It’s definitely easier to cut through the BS and find only the info you’re looking for.
I’m a big fan of the low (bad) information diet. It’s part of what I consider controlling your environment for the positive.
A quote that’s always stuck with me, which I later learned was from Yogananda, is “environment is stronger than willpower.”
As soon as I heard that, I realized the best use of my willpower was to alter my environment by cutting out the unnecessary negative influences and increasing the positive ones. This could be foods, people, or in this case sources of information.
Derek Doepker recently posted..Healthy Eating For Busy People – Quick and Easy Recipes
You are so right! I was just talking about this the other day: I can’t keep certain foods in my house. If I do, I’ll eat it. The same things happens with negativity. If it’s around, you either need to have extreme willpower, or you’ll end up taking it home with you. No bueno.
Thanks for sharing this, Derek!
I am anti-news! It’s depressing and upsetting. After a long, hard day at work, the last thing I want to do is turn on the negativity in my living room and upset myself and further taking more of myself away from my family. When I see the bottled water stacked up in the front of the grocery store, I check the weather website for storms. When an election is coming up, I go online and research the candidates. I can make informed decisions with hearing about how a store was robbed 6 counties away.
Amen, sister. :)
I have been on a low information diet for a very long time! Gave up TV almost 15 years ago. Cancelled my newspaper subscription. And hardly ever listen to the radio.
Weird? Maybe. Peaceful? Hell yeah! :)
When I first did it my dad thought I’d lost my mind. He is a news addict, reading the newspaper from cover to cover and watching at least 2-3 versions of the news every day. We’ve had so many conversations about this because he truly believes I’m missing out.
Yes, I am missing out…on the negativity that dominates most news and media channels. And that is one diet I am happy to be on for the rest of my life!
Sandi Amorim recently posted..An Exercise in Resourcefulness
Me too, Sandi! Some people won’t understand what we do, but hey, to each his own, right?
I havent’ watched the news in YEARS. For exactly the same reason. There is rarely anything positive in the news and it always seems to purpetuate more fear and more sadness.
No Thank You
I don’t typically watch commercials either. I dont need to be bombarded with images of what “they” think I need to improve on.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one. I’m not clueless, I know there is a lot of things happening around the world. There is nothing I can do by watching and feeling scared. Every once and awhile I will catch a lot of peopole talking or FB’ing about something, I google to catch up, then move on.
You are most definitely not the only one, Dawn. I know quite a few people that abide by the low-information diet as well. Glad you’re cutting the negative out of your life by taking this step, too.
I find this encouraging that a lot of us are all of the same mindset. Makes me feel like I’m not alone.
Me too :)
Cutting back on the news has made a big difference for me! I stop watching all local news. There is nothing good on the local news. Nothing.
I also stopped reading the local news. I would read it every day, but nothing good came out of it.
I still do get my news fix, but it’s better than the local news or reading something like the NY Post every day (lots of crime reports).
I read the USA Today every day. I don’t read the stuff about politics, religion or foreign affairs. Not for me. But I enjoy the other content in there. Just like you need your coffee, I feel like I need my USA Today! :)
But local news is out for me and I don’t miss it at all!
I liken a lot of the news to high school gossip- it’s nasty and unnecessary. It alerts us to things that only serve to worry us, without an action plan to give us power to change it.
I think newspapers and online sources are much better alternatives than watching news on the TV. They can say they’re unbiased, but you can read it in their voices, in their eyes, in their carefully-selected stories. Newspapers can be that way, too, but it’s much less common.
ive been trying to convince people to stop watching all that poison on the news for years. I stopped watching the news as a teenager, tired of the depressing stories. Im now in my mid 20′s, and perfectly happy not filling my brain with useless information. Give be a good book to read that will inspire & challenge my way of life, being productive & creating something amazing, and surrounding myself with positive people, and thats a fulfilling life.
I love that, Jose. I think that empowering ourselves to lead our own fulfilling lives, and to inspire those around us to lead them in the same way has a direct affect on the world. I think that is one of the best ways to create the change we want, rather than relying on hoping that the politician we’re calling will do it for us. We can always ask ourselves: What is the most direct route to positive change, and how can I take action to accomplish that?
Oh my God ! Honestly I thought I was the only one :/ I avoid the news as much as I can ,, this horrible things going on around the world just makes me upset and depress :(
You are definitely not alone, Wanda! Stay happy :)
About a year ago I posted on my facebook wall that I was not reading any newspapers or watching the news deliberately for 30 days. The response I received from ‘friends’! One of the kinder comments was to suggest I was apathetic.
I don’t buy papers anymore. I have a vague idea of what’s happening in the world. That’s not to say I don’t care. Not true. I help in my community andthat makes me feel like a useful person.
Watch the news and it leaves you feeling fearful and powerless. Thats not who we are.
Enjoyed your post. It’s my first time here too. :)
Welcome to SIO, Carol! So very happy to have you here as part of our community. I hope you feel at home here :)
I’ve received that same kind of reaction, but you know what? Who cares? YOU know what you believe and how you feel, and that’s all that matters in the grand scheme of things. If you’re happier and less stressed from cutting out the media, I say keep it going!
I stopped watching TV and reading the news 4 years ago. Since then my life has changed in so many positive ways. I suddenly had time to think about myself and create goals. And since I was focusing only on positive information my depression faded away and I had the mental power to start accomplishing my goals, because I built faith. I personally think that building faith in myself was and still is my key to success.
I think that is an enlightening observation, Aljoscha. Faith and focus on oneself is necessary to healing. Refusing to distract oneself with violence, hate, and anger that is often portrayed on the news is a great way to create a sacred space for growth. I am so happy to hear that your depression is in remission, and I wish you much health and happiness from here on out!
I am Pro! You are 100% correct with everything you have written here. I have stopped watching the news too. I am worrier by nature and new simply made me anxious waiting for the next bad thing to happen to me. My husband and I are both watching less and staying away from negative people. Even if they are family. It is amazing how much your mental health improves when toxic people are finally cut out of your life and then eliminating the news just adds even more positive in our lives. It might sound selfish, but we are kind of trying to create a healthy happy world concentrating on us and enjoying our life.
I’m major worrier-by-nature, too, Paula. I’m so so so glad to hear that you and your husband have both weeded out the negativity in your lives. It’s so beneficial for living a positive life!