It seems like every day we are swamped with all types of news from good to bad.
News programming permeates our lives in such a manner that it is basically difficult to avoid it unless you’re being conscious about it.
From television and radio programming to the internet, the news has its way of making itself known for better or for worse. While you may think that being abreast of the latest news makes you well-informed, it is possible that the news could be dumbing you down a bit.
Just ask yourself is it really necessary for you to know all the things that you are learning from your local news station or from the internet. Is it really necessary for you to keep abreast of the latest happenings that are filtered onto your television screens, tablets and phones?
Does being in the know actually improve your life?
There are some that actually believe that avoiding the news makes you smarter… yes smarter… if you can believe it. Here are some reasons why this may be very true.
The News is Programming
There is a reason why the news is called news programming. All media, whether it be television, radio or the internet, is programming the public through the news. Just stop for a moment and think about what programming actually is.
Think about how you program your cable box to record a movie or how you set a timer on a phone. You are purposely taking specific courses of actions to create a specific result. This also applies to news programming.
Many of the new stories that we see plastered across our screens are there because it’s specifically what the media wants the public to see. When you really think about this, it can be kind of disconcerting when you consider the types of events that get the most media coverage. A perfect example of this is something as simple as an upcoming winter weather storm.
Think about all the coverage that goes into reporting how huge a snowstorm is going to be. Now, think about how people actually react to this news. People will hear about a potential snowstorm, and they will go out and buy all the food off the shelves in the grocery stores. They will fill their cars with gas out of fear that they won’t be able to get gas if they should need it.
While it is always better to be safe than sorry, you can clearly see how the news programming incites people to take certain actions.
We see this in everything from politics to the latest gossip on TV. Many people allow themselves to be directly affected by the news programming they receive on a daily basis.
Going along with herd mentality
In some ways, it can be said that watching the news creates a herd mentality among people. It is unfortunate, but very true, that many people are susceptible to the thoughts and opinions of other people.
They’re easily swayed and influenced, and the powers-that-be that present new programming know and understand this completely. If we really take the time to analyze ourselves, we may find that many of the things we hold near and dear to us have been implanted in us through deep programming via the media and news programming.
To avoid being tied to the herd mentality that is associated with typical news programming, it is often necessary for people to avoid the news all together. There is a belief that in doing so you actually become a lot smarter, but first you have to release yourself from the programming that is being fed to you through the media.
Less News Programming, More Self Control
Think about what your life would be like if you made more conscious decisions about what you watch or listen to on a daily basis. What if you didn’t have the latest information about the never-ending confusion in local politics?
What if you weren’t constantly reminded about the antics of the latest reality TV star? What if you consciously decided not to get caught up in the banter that is strategically placed in your vantage point to get you “worked up”?
Think about how much of your energy actually goes into analyzing, interpreting, responding and keeping abreast of all of the information that comes to you from news programming.
Now, if you decided to consciously channel that energy into something more personal say your own self-development you may find that you are a completely different person.
You may find that outside influences have less control over what you think, how you feel and how you act. This is most important because it gives you a level of self-control that goes beyond any exterior programming that is being presented to you.
In many ways, avoiding news programming makes you smarter because you are making a conscious decision to program yourself as opposed to allowing something outside of you to program you with its own messages and ideologies.
Remember, it is the wise man that is able to think for himself. It is also the wise man that is able to control himself. News programming has a way of influencing people for better or worse, and often times most people are very unaware of the effects of the media in their personal lives. Consider taking a break from news programming to see how your consciousness and sense of self-awareness is personally affected.
Avoiding negativity: IMPORTANT
This is probably the most important part of avoiding the news: You also avoid negativity.
Here’s the deal, humans are programmed to pay attention to danger and scary things. It’s what’s kept us alive, we pay attention instantly to things that could be dangerous.
Now, media companies make money ONLY when people pay attention to them so they get advertising revenue from eyeballs on the screen.
What does that mean?
It means news companies make more money by sharing more negative stories.
Sounds so simple when I say it like that, but THAT’s why the news is almost always negative, it’s because humans are more likely to pay attention and watch the stories and adverts, making the news companies more money.
What this means though, is that not only are you being constantly brought down and scared, BUT you’re also seeing a very warped view of the world. There is danger and there are bad things in the world but it’s not actually THAT bad now!
In fact, violent crime in almost every country has DECLINED year on year since 2005, and this can be seen in charts on government websites but negative news and negative story coverage is on the rise. Why? Money.
Let’s think about what we spend our time watching and consuming, and please don’t allow negative thoughts into your mind and life.