Do you feel depressed watching news and reading newspaper?

@scheng1 (24650)
Singapore
June 3, 2009 3:48am CST
There are some gurus advocate against watching news and reading newspaper. They said that keeping a constant diet on all the disasters, accidents, and crime make us depressed and negative about life. Do you agree? Do you feel depressed watching news and reading newspaper? Do you think the world is a dangerous place when you read all the bad things happening round the world?
3 people like this
24 responses
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I will agree. I think too much news is not good for someone. I tend to only watch the news just for the weather forecast. Every now and then I will watch it to see whats going on but just hearing such terrible things makes me upset.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Jessi, I guess we feel depressed when hearing too many bad news, because we can't do anything to help out. If the newspapers and TV programs show the way we can help, at least we do not feel so bad. And certain disasters got coverage for days and days, and serve no purpose except to make us depressed.
• India
3 Jun 09
Yes..I agree to each and every word mentioned in the discussion
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Buttercup, I think they have a point too. Newspapers and TV programs should be entertaining and educational in nature, not suppose to make us depressed with too much reporting of bad news.
1 person likes this
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
3 Jun 09
Hi there! I agree, but not really in life general. When I watch the news and see reports about crimes and natural disasters which resulted to lots of casualties, I feel sad, maybe tot he point of depressed for a while. The crimes makes me paranoid sometimes, or just alert which is helpful especially about different scams and it makes you kinda prepared for it like you would now think what would you do when you'll be in a similar situation but there are times when I just skip watching or reading the news because it can be depressing.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I only feel depressed when things are not going well in my own life and I seem to experience continous frustration and setbacks. I really don't take the time to read an entire newspaper and I mainly turn on the tv news to get the weather report. There are often stories reported that are tragic or sad or that make me feel incrdulty or anger over some injustice but it doesn't last. Highs and lows are a fact of life. On the morning news today the head of the police department said we need to develop a new type of citizen (as a way of eliminating crime). If that idea can take hold and spread across the city it will start a revolution. Can you imagine a world where the majority of the population actually give a darn? Where the citizens show respect and consideration for one another?
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Canellita, I think the head of the police department wants everyone to become busybody. There are a lot of busybodies in my place. Those are the ones gossip non-stop, from morning to night, about anyone and everyone. Those are the ones that ask you "why aren't you married? How much you make a month? etc", and they are the ones who offer a lot of advice on which doctors to consult, which hospitals to go to etc. If the head of police department wants them, then the police will be very busy. A sulky person is portrayed as "terrorist with hidden agenda".
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Jun 09
Hi Canellita, in my neighboring country, Malaysia, the folks living in countryside are very united. Some small places, known as kampong in local terms, are a concentration of just a few families. The Malay kampongs are especially known for unity. If anyone happens to drive there, and kill a chick crossing the road, he better stops the car, and compensation to the owner. Or else, the whole kampong will come and beat him up oh.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
4 Jun 09
What he was getting at is that we need a revolution of change for people to have better attitudes about life in general where they will not be out committing crimes and the other citizens will not make excuses or look the other way.
1 person likes this
@med889 (5941)
3 Jun 09
I read newspapers nearly everyday and what I find more often is the same stuffs either about rape, stealing,murders,accidents and news of stars, So nowadays it seems that newspapers are having routine news but we cannot blame them because it is all a matter of fact and they are telling what is really happening in this world. I am sad whgen I read the papers but still I cannot do nothing great to be honest with you no matter how much I want to change everything to the better or best. The world is becoming a danger and people are being their own enemies.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
3 Jun 09
Hi Med, actually what we need to know is not the crime statistics. We are more interested in the prevention of crime. If the newspapers could use more effort in telling us how to prevent crimes, that will be better. I do not mind the front page of the newspaper showing positive news and advice, and I do not mind reading good advice everyday. The world is still a beautiful place, and most places are safe with good neighbors. It's the distortion of the newspaper and TV that makes us feel the world is a dangerous place.
1 person likes this
• India
3 Jun 09
Well, I agree to it . As we know the crime rate always rises drastically everyday in any country due to various reasons and also the amount of disasters and natural calamities are rising exponentialy daily due to the various climatic changes that are taking place daily!!! We do have a natural tendency to get depressed whenever we come to know of all these accidents. Any human being would like to live his life in peace and harmony rather than be surrounded by an atmosphere of extreme vulnerability. We Dont even want to be stressed by the pressures of our worklife!! So we do get depressed by all the negetive energy that keeps on flowing from these disastrous news. At the same time we need to know that the world is changing and we have to keep up with it rather than getting depressed from the depressing news and should learn from all that is going on around our life! rather than brooding over the disasters and fight back with a vengence and start getting used to life! Do not let life kick you around! Cheers.
2 people like this
@braided (698)
• Canada
3 Jun 09
I dont read the newspaper ... or watch the news because my mind needs to be clear and focus on the more positive things to achieve its goals and watching the news or reading all the negitive things in the paper .... doesnt help ...
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Braided, I agree that too many negative news doesn't help. Knowing that others face more problems doesn't help us in solving our problems. Some of the best article I read in Associated Content are about rape prevention and fire proof our houses. At least those are positive and practical, better than knowing how many houses burnt down or how many rape victims in a year.
@braided (698)
• Canada
4 Jun 09
Actually .... that too is negitive ... the subject is negitive ... and it leads to fear for the person reading it .... fear that they may be raped even if they give you preventions for it happening ...it instills a fear thought .. and that thought leads to more of the same thoughts and what you think is what you get .... law of attraction ... so the subjects that are mentioned in the news paper are negitive .. because it sells papers ... but it also .... makes you think that there is nothing positive going on in this world ... or very little positive in this world .... and your view of life and the world become very negitive ... which leads you on a very depressed life style ... and you attract more depression and more negitivity and on it goes ....
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
3 Jun 09
It can be very depressing and upsetting to watch the news. At least my newspaper balances the bad stuff with some stories about the good things people do. Although I want to keep up with everything going on in the world, sometimes I skip the news because I feel as if I'm full to the top with bad news and I can't take anymore. The world is a wonderful place if you don't watch the news. Neighbors help each other, strangers stop for others in need, everywhere you see courtesy and friendliness. If you watch the news all the time, you will have a very dim view of people and the world. It's good to keep up on current events but you must go out in the community and realize that people are still good.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Jun 09
They do the same thing here. China is portrayed as an evil country that deliberately poisons their goods and ships them to us, Japan is made out to be a country that abuses its children by long school hours and little leisure time, others are painted as consistent violators of human rights. I have always wanted to start a "good news" column in a paper or a news show. I think this would really help people around the world feel closer to each other and also raise morale. That's a hopeless dream, though. Nobody would sponsor it!
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Dragon, that's a very good idea. I hope you follow up on that. You can convince the editor of the newspaper that people need good news. You can point to the million of dollars that people are willing to spend on motivational books, and Chicken Soup for the Soul. These books sell because people want to read about common people with positive thinking.
@clickicy (571)
• Indonesia
3 Jun 09
Hi, Scheng1, I don't think that this world is a dangerous place to live. I mean all accident and those unfortunate natural disaster must have a cause behind them. As long as we respect others, I don't think that there's any serious threat against us. This world is a safe heaven for all of us.
1 person likes this
@clickicy (571)
• Indonesia
5 Jun 09
yes, you have a wise point. tv should show us what we have to do if we face a natural disaster, etc. most news about natural disaster shown the aftermath-not a guidance... i agree that broadcaster should try to change their point of view in that case.
1 person likes this
@nzalheart (2338)
• India
3 Jun 09
Hello Scheng1, As I said in the other thread, this world is not the perfect place for the living creatures in this world. The system of life in this earth is really bad, not good. If people say that this world is full of happiness and good things, then that is of course the illusion. It is very necessary that our mind should be positive and healthy. And my positive I don't mean the extreme happiness too. It just means to be positive. Being positive about whatever that happens in this world. Learning to see the things as they are. And I am not the perfect one, and so seeing the news like that certainly touch me heart and keep me thinking for a while. Nowadays, good news are rare to find. Everywhere there are big problems, fights, crime every thing. Natural disaster is other thing and those fights, crimes are all due to the greediness of people to be happy. From years on and on, this fire is getting more and more bigger. Why? Because the greediness works as the fuel. People mistaken that getting something will make them complete and this fire will blow out. But they are mistaken. The wishes are never ending, with each success people have next target and hence the fire blows on and on. And one day this whole world will burn in this fire. So I say this world is of course a dangerous place and there is no doubt in it. And still I try to keep my mind positive each time. Happy mylotting...
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
3 Jun 09
Hi Nzalheart, actually if we stop to think, the world is not getting any more dangerous than before. In ancient times, they had the custom of offering humans to whatever gods they worshiped, including the act of killing babies. Earthquakes and other natural disasters happened too. Crimes happened in ancient world too. The only difference is that people in ancient world had no means to report the bad news, but modern technology can. And those victims in ancient world had no justice, and no policemen to help them, no freedom of press and freedom of speech too. And the human population is growing, so an earthquake that happened a thousand years before could kill probably just ten thousands before, but now, the same earthquake can kill hundred thousands people.
@nzalheart (2338)
• India
3 Jun 09
At that time the danger was due to illiteracy, which is of course getting solved nowadays. But nowadays, I think the danger is of over literacy lol...Creation of number of nuclear weapons, isn't it the over literacy hehe... May be singapore is peace, here in the city, the criminal rate is highly increasing on and on. Before about 10-15 years in Nepal, it was not this bad. Now, the crime has increased a lot. Everywhere there are insecurities. you will surely get headache if you were a citizen of this country to read its newspaper... Your opinion is also very true scheng. Its just the matter of viewing things in different perspective... A side issue: I thought my short article would not get published. But surprisingly it got published. Now I am more encouraged. And yesterday, I posted another article too which is under review... Happy mylotting...
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Nzal, that's great, congrat on the publication of your song. Now that you have two articles, you should spend more time adding comments to other AC writers, add them as your favorites. Then they will help you too. Another way is to announce that you are a newbie in the "Associated Content" interest group here, and that you have two articles. The writing community in AC supports each other, and helps to provide insightful comments. I appreciate your comments in my articles, and hope that you make yourself known to other writers as well.
• United States
5 Jun 09
Yes, it is always the same old over sensationalized bad news. I have stopped watching the news on television because it is no longer news. In recent years, tv news has become entertainment rather than news, and reporters tend to give their uninformed opinions all the time and not the news. Even on the internet, when I look at the news pages of yahoo for example, a lot of times its about some celebrity who has done something stupid. To keep up on news, I usually read online magazines like the Economist, which is a little more news oriented and less entertainment oriented. Except in places where there is outright war, I generally disregard the news because they oversensationalize crime and gives a distorted picture of the world.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Jun 09
Hi GraySpirit, sometimes magazines are more professional than the newspapers and TV news channel. Reader's Digest used to have very high standard, and offer excellent advice. National Geographics is still very good, very educational in nature. Think the newspapers contain a whole lot of useless and depressing news.
• United States
4 Jun 09
I actually stopped getting a newspaper, because of these exact reasons....too many negative things reported. While most people consider the crime reports, a good prevention, or an alert to the public, my paper is obsessed in reporting just these things alone. And, I often feel bad for those they splat all over the paper. Even, the smallest crime seems to make the paper. Every person is innocent until proven guilty, and I don't think anything should be reported on someone until they are judged in court. Because if they are found innocent, the public has already judged them anyway...they can't take back what has been reported against them. You don't see the newspapers announcing their innocence on the front page!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Sweetchariot, I agree that many reporters are very subjective in their reportings, and making judgements on behalf of the readers. Actually I enjoy reading motivation books and real stories of people in Chicken Soup of the Soul, rather than reading all the bad news in the newspaper. The newspaper is useful only in certain financial reportings, but then, we can read the information from the Internet.
• United States
4 Jun 09
Yes I , too, love Chicken Soup books...However, it is sad that the positive things going on in a town, are not reported on enough.
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
4 Jun 09
my simple tip : read with your hearts...
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Hairunsyah, welcome to mylot, and thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy taking part in the discussion threads in mylot. Just a short advice to you, mylot system pays more for longer comment than short one-liner or two-liners. You can make an experiment by posting a few longer comments (as long as possible) one day, and a lot of short one-liner or two-liners another day. When you compare the difference in earnings, you will find that the few longer comments make more than the whole lot of shorter comments.
@zeusdhi (63)
• Philippines
4 Jun 09
I don't read newspaper for so long now because all you read on it is all the bad things. And there are really many bad things that is happening in our life. And when i watch news i do seldom watch news because when we reach home the news is finish.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Zeusdhi, welcome to mylot. The newspapers are fond of reporting sensational news, and often paint a darker picture of bad things. Sometimes they do not just report the actual happenings, but they go on to tell us how it can become worse, and how the worst possible is yet to come. It's very depressing, and I'm glad that you get away from all the depressing thoughts by not reading.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
3 Jun 09
sometimes i do because i find that the news tend to be quite graphic these days. i do like to know whats going on in the world but...i have to agree with you in your view though. i think it desensitizes us.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Cher, probably the only way to protect ourselves from depression is by "desensitizes" ourselves. Most of us want to live happily and peacefully. The newspapers and news reports bring all kind of violence into our lives, without telling us how to prevent those bad things from happening. If they could put in more effort in educating us, and knowing how we can help the victims, we may feel better.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
4 Jun 09
yes at times especially when i get to read depressing stories about people sufferings. i would end up ranting why the world is not fair, or why the world is like how it is today.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Jazel, actually people in ancient world suffered as much as people now. At least we have the medical facilities to treat dieases and lessen suffering, people in the ancient worlds did not. It's surprising how a toothache could kill them, while the toothache make us run to the dentist and seek relief from pain. All kind of bad things happened throughout history, but at those days, there were no newspapers and TV shows to dramatize the bad happenings.
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
4 Jun 09
Yes, the news in both mediums consists mostly of doom and gloom and focuses very little on the positive. I do think it can eventually bring one down, so each week, I go entire day or two getting none of the news. It will always be waiting next time around. Karen
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Karen, I agree with you. I feel happier reading Chicken Soup for the Soul, Think and Grow Rich and other motivation books than reading the newspapers about all the sickening things. I feel that the newspapers can learn from the sales of motivational books and self help books, and publish similar information to help us. It doesn't improve our living standard to learn all the rapes, murders, accidents and disasters.
@mnk202 (338)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I have to say I try not to watch the news all that much or read the paper. I know its good to know what is going on and be prepared for things but all thats out there now is terrible things and I would rather just not see or hear it because it is sad and depressing that the world has come to what it has come to.
1 person likes this
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
3 Jun 09
There are depressing things on the new and in the newspaper but there are also positive things on the news and in the newspaper. I donot agree that seeing the reports on disasters, accidents and crime make us depressed and negative about life. I do not feel depressed watching the news or reading the newspaper because of the positive things the news cover for instead the birth of a baby or the voluntaries helping out other people. No, you can not stop mother nature and accidents are just that accidents.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Happy, you do hold a very balanced and positive attitude towards newspaper and news reports. Most of the people feel depressed because they are not able to alleviate suffering or to help out in any way. If we could do something positive, at least we wont feel so bad and depressed after reading all the bad news.
• United States
3 Jun 09
I feel the world isn't that bad of a place. sometime's i'm afraid to do some things. We're all involved in each others business. Maybe, we could resort to isolationism in regards to war ( that would never happen). But i feel media has pressured the viewers to know all, interact with all, and acknowledge all. I enjoy the news, but sometimes, it's such a drag and I'd rather live on a rancher in the midwest and forget about cable.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Jun 09
Hi Thealli, agree that all the bad news make us feel the world is a horrible and dangerous place. They fail to tell us that the world is actually a very beautiful place, with caring people. Sometimes I feel so good after reading Chicken Soup for the Soul. At least the kindness and goodness of people are reflected in those articles.