398
Comment

A Self-Imposed Media Fast

I’m tired of the relentless torrent of bad news coming from the media. I feel like I am stuck in a recession version of Ground Hog Day. The names and places change with each story, but underneath the veneer, it’s the same story-line:

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/bloodstone, Image #5404721

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/bloodstone
  • “We’re in a severe recession.”
  • “It’s the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.”
  • “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
  • “There’s very little you can do about it.”

I don’t know about you, but this is not having a healthy impact on my psyche. Last night, after waking up again at 3:30 in the morning, I thought, Enough is enough. I don’t need the additional worry and fear that this is creating. It’s time to turn off the news.

I’m not sticking my head in the sand. I understand that we have a significant economic problem. But, in my opinion, the news media are exacerbating this problem with their reporting. They are systematically undermining consumer confidence. This is a case where reporting the news is actually causing the news.

The truth is that I can’t fix the global economy. As a result, the bad economic news is a waste of my time and energy. I need to be focused on what I can do to improve the performance of my own company and our industry. This means focusing on the future and forgetting the immediate past.

Therefore, effective immediately, I am taking the following four actions:

  1. I am stopping my morning habit of reading online editions of the daily news, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Tennessean and, especially, Drudge. (Note: I didn’t link to these publications on purpose.)
  2. I am removing any news-related feeds from Google Reader. I will continue to keep up with publishing and technology industry news, as well as my favorite bloggers. This more directly affects me.
  3. I am going to stop watching the Today Show, which I usually watch while I am getting ready for work. I am also going to leave the TV off in the evening. I usually have Fox News on in the background, but I’m going to play music instead.
  4. I am going to stop checking the stock market during the day. The market is volatile, so what? Do I really need to ride it up and down? I don’t think so. It’s going to do whatever it’s going to do.

I figure that if some big story happens I need to know, someone will tell me. In the meantime, I have more important things to do.

Question: How about you? Are you as tired of the news media as I am?
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Posted on December 8, 2008

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  • Tonia

    I completely agree that the media is not helping the situation nor us individually. Our family has gone much further in removing ourselves from the media. For the past 9 years we have not watched any television (except 1 day: 911), only VHS tapes and DVD’s. We save money by not paying for cable. We eat less junk food, waste much less time, and the kids don’t “have to have” everything they don’t see advertised. We never have to be home at a certain time to catch a certain show. I’ve personally gone even further in that I listen almost totally to a listener supported commercial free radio station. We read books and participate in activities like boy scouts and girl scouts. I’ve never been sorry we gave up television. The kids have been fine with it (they are ages 12, 15, 17 and 22 now).

  • Tonia

    I completely agree that the media is not helping the situation nor us individually. Our family has gone much further in removing ourselves from the media. For the past 9 years we have not watched any television (except 1 day: 911), only VHS tapes and DVD's. We save money by not paying for cable. We eat less junk food, waste much less time, and the kids don't "have to have" everything they don't see advertised. We never have to be home at a certain time to catch a certain show. I've personally gone even further in that I listen almost totally to a listener supported commercial free radio station. We read books and participate in activities like boy scouts and girl scouts. I've never been sorry we gave up television. The kids have been fine with it (they are ages 12, 15, 17 and 22 now).

  • http://www.happythoughtsnews.com Jonathan

    Michael,

    Beautiful post – exactly my thoughts! I currently live in India, and some of my friends had gotten inundated by bad news. I ended up starting a ‘Good News’ website.

    http://www.happythoughtsnews.com

    Have a great day!

  • http://www.happythoughtsnews.com/ Jonathan

    Michael,

    Beautiful post – exactly my thoughts! I currently live in India, and some of my friends had gotten inundated by bad news. I ended up starting a 'Good News' website.
    http://www.happythoughtsnews.com

    Have a great day!

  • http://www.ComicsPundit.com Shawn Levasseur

    I’ve cut back on general news reading/viewing. Mostly due to the fact that I much of what I see isn’t of interest or importance to me.

    I rely on the commentary blogs and podcast to steer me back to the news be it general news, political, entertainment, or news about my hobbies.

    The only traditional news media that I’d get on a regular basis is a local newspaper. And by local I mean it’s focused mostly on the Knox County, Maine area. No national news at all.

  • http://www.ComicsPundit.com/ Shawn Levasseur

    I've cut back on general news reading/viewing. Mostly due to the fact that I much of what I see isn't of interest or importance to me.

    I rely on the commentary blogs and podcast to steer me back to the news be it general news, political, entertainment, or news about my hobbies.

    The only traditional news media that I'd get on a regular basis is a local newspaper. And by local I mean it's focused mostly on the Knox County, Maine area. No national news at all.

  • http://www.enduringwanderlust.com Gennaro

    I’m a news junkie, but it’s definately important to shut it off for a day or three every so often. Especially with the Internet and 24-hour cable news programming.

    It’s nice to find another niche to move toward every so often.

  • http://www.enduringwanderlust.com/ Gennaro

    I'm a news junkie, but it's definately important to shut it off for a day or three every so often. Especially with the Internet and 24-hour cable news programming.

    It's nice to find another niche to move toward every so often.

  • http://rickmorganconsulting.com/blog Rick Morgan

    I am with you! Perhaps we can create a “groundswell”.

  • http://rickmorganconsulting.com/blog Rick Morgan

    I am with you! Perhaps we can create a "groundswell".

  • Brian

    I gave up morning news several years ago for a month or so and my mood improved greatly. Like most addicts though I jumped back on. I’m going to do it again and expand it to all “news” type outlets. This is getting ridiculous. The focus on the negative isn’t helping things. I’m also going to write to the majors that I have been tuned in to and tell them that I’m tuning out and why. Just stopping isn’t going to change anything unless the media knows why.

    Great post and I’m tuning out!

  • Brian

    I gave up morning news several years ago for a month or so and my mood improved greatly. Like most addicts though I jumped back on. I'm going to do it again and expand it to all "news" type outlets. This is getting ridiculous. The focus on the negative isn't helping things. I'm also going to write to the majors that I have been tuned in to and tell them that I'm tuning out and why. Just stopping isn't going to change anything unless the media knows why.

    Great post and I'm tuning out!

  • Margo Carmichael

    Well, hmm. We could cut back, yes, for sure, maybe to once a day, and still stay informed. We know that "All that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Like that darling Katie told Arlen Specter, "You've awakened a sleeping giant." Let's not go back to sleep. The other side is wide awake.
    http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/8925/alinsky….

  • Margo Carmichael

    Well, hmm. We could cut back, yes, for sure, maybe to once a day, and still stay informed. We know that "All that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Like that darling Katie told Arlen Specter, "You've awakened a sleeping giant." Let's not go back to sleep. The other side is wide awake.
    http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/8925/alinsky….

  • Helen Kidd

    GOOD FOR YOU! When I worked for an outplacement organization, we encouraged our clients not to read the headlines. Otherwise they would eventually start believing that you couldn't find a job in a bad economy and nothing is further from the truth. As for me personally, I don't even have a television anymore. Breaking news events are sent to my cell and a summary of the day's news is sent to my email. If I want more, I can get on the network stream. I'm staying in touch with the world around me, I'm working, and I also have a life. And, oh yes, I also have something called a radio.

  • Helen Kidd

    GOOD FOR YOU! When I worked for an outplacement organization, we encouraged our clients not to read the headlines. Otherwise they would eventually start believing that you couldn't find a job in a bad economy and nothing is further from the truth. As for me personally, I don't even have a television anymore. Breaking news events are sent to my cell and a summary of the day's news is sent to my email. If I want more, I can get on the network stream. I'm staying in touch with the world around me, I'm working, and I also have a life. And, oh yes, I also have something called a radio.

  • http://www.intensedebate.com/people/patriciazell patriciazell

    This is one time when I don't agree with you, Michael. I believe it's important to keep up with what is going on in the world for several reasons. First and foremost, knowing what is going on helps focus my prayers. Of course, I usually don't have enough information to form valid opinions, but I can pray that God will work things out for people involved in many different situations. Second, knowing what is going on widens my base of knowledge and helps me relate to many different people. And, finally, I just plain like to read and think things through.

    That said, one thing I do not do is to get emotionally involved in the news. Everything is cyclic in the world and nothing is absolutely fair. I've noticed that no matter what option leaders chose, someone will suffer. So, I don't look for answers from my fellow human beings, and I really don't trust what anyone says. Instead I look to God for His absolute love which will win out in the end.

  • http://www.intensedebate.com/people/patriciazell patriciazell

    This is one time when I don't agree with you, Michael. I believe it's important to keep up with what is going on in the world for several reasons. First and foremost, knowing what is going on helps focus my prayers. Of course, I usually don't have enough information to form valid opinions, but I can pray that God will work things out for people involved in many different situations. Second, knowing what is going on widens my base of knowledge and helps me relate to many different people. And, finally, I just plain like to read and think things through.

    That said, one thing I do not do is to get emotionally involved in the news. Everything is cyclic in the world and nothing is absolutely fair. I've noticed that no matter what option leaders chose, someone will suffer. So, I don't look for answers from my fellow human beings, and I really don't trust what anyone says. Instead I look to God for His absolute love which will win out in the end.

  • Bob LaForce

    This is my attitude, too. I only watch the news when I have nothing else better to do – which is mostly, never.

  • Bob LaForce

    This is my attitude, too. I only watch the news when I have nothing else better to do – which is mostly, never.

  • http://cordsofhislove.blogspot.com/ Chew Keng Sheng

    Yes, I agree that the media is just feeding too much bad news. But I don't quite agree of the steps to disconnecting yourself from all news feeds. Perhaps there is a balance between being prudence and being paranoid.

  • http://cordsofhislove.blogspot.com/ Chew Keng Sheng

    Yes, I agree that the media is just feeding too much bad news. But I don't quite agree of the steps to disconnecting yourself from all news feeds. Perhaps there is a balance between being prudence and being paranoid.

  • Gary

    I agree with the idea that the media exacerbates the confidence issue. However, if you didn't already understand the need to carefully filter what you read, watch, and hear through all media sources, you likely are clinically depressed. There are very few people who are not "talking their book" when they speak publicly.

    As someone who comes from a long, double line of worriers, if you are not obsessing over the news, you'll find something else. Even in the "bad news sells" environment in which we live, there is usually a glass half-full view if you prefer to look at that perspective. Don't turn off the news; just turn off the "worry cells".

  • Gary

    I agree with the idea that the media exacerbates the confidence issue. However, if you didn't already understand the need to carefully filter what you read, watch, and hear through all media sources, you likely are clinically depressed. There are very few people who are not "talking their book" when they speak publicly.

    As someone who comes from a long, double line of worriers, if you are not obsessing over the news, you'll find something else. Even in the "bad news sells" environment in which we live, there is usually a glass half-full view if you prefer to look at that perspective. Don't turn off the news; just turn off the "worry cells".

  • Wayne

    Maybe this is unrelated however; I lost confidence in the media when I was working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. We were evacuated due to an unidentified plane that was heading for restricted air space and it was thought to be heading for the Capitol building. After running for my life and things calmed down my coworker and I were at Union Station. We were waiting to get the all clear so we could return to work. At a table beside us a family was eating. A person walked up to the family's table and introduced their self as being a media person (I don't remember which outlet). They asked if anyone saw the plane that caused the evacuation. An 8 year old boy spoke up and said he saw the plane. The media person grew very excited and said "You did! What did it look like??" The boys father shook his head and with exasperation in his voice informed the media person the boy didn't see the plane, they were in Union Station at the time. I could just see the quote "An unidentified source (because he is 8 years old) described the plane as…" I admit I read CNN online but not everyday. That way I can pick what I want to read.

  • Wayne

    Maybe this is unrelated however; I lost confidence in the media when I was working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. We were evacuated due to an unidentified plane that was heading for restricted air space and it was thought to be heading for the Capitol building. After running for my life and things calmed down my coworker and I were at Union Station. We were waiting to get the all clear so we could return to work. At a table beside us a family was eating. A person walked up to the family's table and introduced their self as being a media person (I don't remember which outlet). They asked if anyone saw the plane that caused the evacuation. An 8 year old boy spoke up and said he saw the plane. The media person grew very excited and said "You did! What did it look like??" The boys father shook his head and with exasperation in his voice informed the media person the boy didn't see the plane, they were in Union Station at the time. I could just see the quote "An unidentified source (because he is 8 years old) described the plane as…" I admit I read CNN online but not everyday. That way I can pick what I want to read.

  • http://twitter.com/BRGMcKenzie Brian

    Neil Postman essentially said the only news we should concern ourselves with is news that we can do something about. Stay the course, Mike. I’ve enjoyed this for the better part of 2 years.

  • http://twitter.com/BRGMcKenzie Brian

    Neil Postman essentially said the only news we should concern ourselves with is news that we can do something about. Stay the course, Mike. I've enjoyed this for the better part of 2 years.

  • http://www.wrencottage.net/ Peggy Shaw

    I think it's more complicated than that. I learned about the 9-11 crashes on the Today Show and was able to get into gear for my reporter's job and also call my mother near Washington to warn her to at leat go the basement for awhile. If you have a 401K, you should keep up with the stock market changes. And, yes, the economy is going to be what it is no matter what you do, but is sticking your head in the sand the answer? There might be a way you can help, and that way may become clear to you while you're watching or reading the news. I would go for a more middle-of-the-road approach.

  • UK follower

    II've never been a fan of 24hr reporting. Personally I believe it was better when information was gathered & THEN the news was reported on, rather than now, when we have endless amounts of speculation & hours & hours of 'non-news'. It used to be that if something major happened, the programmes would be interrupted for a 'news flash', usually saying there would be an extended news bulletin at a later time to cover the issue.

    Now, you get 'breaking news', which usually tells you very little, & repeats the same information again and again. As a result, I rarely watch the national & international news on TV anymore, but I usually look up this information on line once or twice a day. That way I get to see all the major headlines, and can choose what I want/need to know more about. I DO watch local news programmes – in my area they are 1/2 hour slots so have to be succinct.

  • http://www.leadingisredaing.blogspot.com/ james

    I have quit watching the news and reading papers years ago. I seldom, if ever, even pay attention to weather forecasts anymore. If something is important enough, someone will tell me.

  • Late to things

    I've come late to this, but I'm amazed how many folk are saying this is a suggestion to 'bury your head in the sand'. What rubbish! It's not saying listen to nothing, it's saying stop listening to loop repeats of negative reporting. Do you really need to listen to the news for four or five hours plus per day? NO. Except in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances.

  • Late to things

    I've come late to this, but I'm amazed how many folk are saying this is a suggestion to 'bury your head in the sand'. What rubbish! It's not saying listen to nothing, it's saying stop listening to loop repeats of negative reporting. Do you really need to listen to the news for four or five hours plus per day? NO. Except in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances.

  • http://www.leadingisredaing.blogspot.com james

    I have quit watching the news and reading papers years ago. I seldom, if ever, even pay attention to weather forecasts anymore. If something is important enough, someone will tell me.

  • http://www.asgoodadayasany.wordpress.com/ MARILYN YOCUM

    I listen to NPR headlines (top of any hour) and have NPR and NYT titles coming thorugh on Twitter. If there's a topic of interest, I can click to the link. Otherwise, I pass.

    No more news junkie for me!

    Having to be on top of every single story comes more from a false sense the knowing everything means I have some control OR a fear of not being smarter than everyone else. What if someone asks "Did you hear about….?" and I have to admit I didn't? Good heavens!

    I'm not sure all that knowing in helping me minister to my world better.
    I think I ought to be aware of what's happening without steeping in the awful, horrible news of it. God will enlighten me and lay on my heart those news stories that are MINE to personally address.

    And now, the knowing I do have…..helps me pray…..and I have more time for it.

    My recent post Unmasked

  • http://www.asgoodadayasany.wordpress.com MARILYN YOCUM

    I listen to NPR headlines (top of any hour) and have NPR and NYT titles coming thorugh on Twitter. If there's a topic of interest, I can click to the link. Otherwise, I pass.

    No more news junkie for me!

    Having to be on top of every single story comes more from a false sense the knowing everything means I have some control OR a fear of not being smarter than everyone else. What if someone asks "Did you hear about….?" and I have to admit I didn't? Good heavens!

    I'm not sure all that knowing in helping me minister to my world better.
    I think I ought to be aware of what's happening without steeping in the awful, horrible news of it. God will enlighten me and lay on my heart those news stories that are MINE to personally address.

    And now, the knowing I do have…..helps me pray…..and I have more time for it.

    My recent post Unmasked

  • http://www.wrencottage.net/ Peggy Shaw

    I think it's more complicated than that. I learned about the 9-11 crashes on the Today Show and was able to get into gear for my reporter's job and also call my mother near Washington to warn her to at leat go the basement for awhile. If you have a 401K, you should keep up with the stock market changes. And, yes, the economy is going to be what it is no matter what you do, but is sticking your head in the sand the answer? There might be a way you can help, and that way may become clear to you while you're watching or reading the news. I would go for a more middle-of-the-road approach.

  • UK follower

    II've never been a fan of 24hr reporting. Personally I believe it was better when information was gathered & THEN the news was reported on, rather than now, when we have endless amounts of speculation & hours & hours of 'non-news'. It used to be that if something major happened, the programmes would be interrupted for a 'news flash', usually saying there would be an extended news bulletin at a later time to cover the issue.

    Now, you get 'breaking news', which usually tells you very little, & repeats the same information again and again. As a result, I rarely watch the national & international news on TV anymore, but I usually look up this information on line once or twice a day. That way I get to see all the major headlines, and can choose what I want/need to know more about. I DO watch local news programmes – in my area they are 1/2 hour slots so have to be succinct.

  • http://www.dannyjbixby.com Danny Bixby

    Are you still keeping up with this?

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/damonparnell dkp

    Agreed

  • randysrules

    Talking heads "news" and "opinion" are the (relatively) new version of Roman battles in the arena. Give the people an exciting "reality" show to distract them from what is really going on and remove their ability or energy to affect positive change. Good call!

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/jerryfultz jerryfultz

    Pulled the plug on cable a year ago. Stopped reading newspapers over 10 years ago. Haven't intentionally watched any version of network news (Today, Tonight, Tomorrow, Yesterday, whatever) in almost that long. You can do it. And it WILL produce the results you're looking for. I'm as current as anyone. Sans the fear, hype & desperation. You, too, can have a life.

  • http://www.BrighterWalk.com Karyn Brownlee

    I've been cutting back but I cannot quit altogether, as the news drives many of my columns. It's great material from which to write. My challenge lies in remembering to turn the bad news into the "good news". Bless you for your efforts to keep the main thing the main thing, and encouraging others to do the same.

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/wizardprang Wizard Prang

    Let's not forget, folks, that the "recession" was bought to you by CNN… a year before it happened.

  • Kelley

    I'm sorry, but this is ignorant. If you don't want to watch the news, that's fine. It's a personal decision. However, to make statements like:

    "But, in my opinion, the news media are exacerbating this problem with their reporting. They are systematically undermining consumer confidence. This is a case where reporting the news is actually causing the news"

    is just irresponsible communication (I would say irresponsible journalism, but this is certainly not journalism.)

    The problem is, you are making claims about reality now. If you feel that the news is too negative, or has an adverse affect on your mood, go ahead and say so and say it as loudly as you please; those are opinions and personal experiences. However, it is not your privilege to make uncorroborated statements about quantifiable entities with impunity.

    Enjoy your news media fast, but maybe with all that extra time, do us the favor of reading up on accurate reporting. This may be a blog, and may be primarily concerned with your opinions, but when you make statements about reality they still need to be corroborated and supported. Just because something sounds good, doesn't mean it's right.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt

      As you rightly pointed out, this is a blog, and is therefore clearly my opinion. However, just to make the point doubly clear, I said (in the excerpt you quoted) “ … in my opinion.”

      You may disagree with my opinion, but there is nothing inappropriate about expressing my opinion on my blog.

      • Kelley

        Yes, it is very clearly your right to say anything you wish, whether opinion or otherwise. The problem is, however, that it is irresponsible to frame as an opinion that which is in fact a quantifiable statement about reality in order to bypass the rigors of factual substantiation. If I were to say, "In my opinion, the earth is a cube," though it is my right to do so, it would be both inaccurate and irresponsible. In the excerpt I quoted you were irresponsibly framing as an opinion that which is not truly a matter of opinion, and THAT is the point I was trying to make.

        • Michael Hyatt

          In what way is it a quantifiable statement? I think it is inherently unquantifiable. That is precisely why I stated that it is my opinion. For you to attribute this to some sinister motive on my part is, I think, “inaccurate and irresponsible.”

        • http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt

          By the way, you realize I wrote this original piece in December 2008, right?

          • Kelley

            Yes, I realize it is an old post, but it was RT'd on my Twitter feed much more recently, so I decided to check it out.

            As to your previous comment, the question of whether or not the tone of news reporting undermines consumer confidence, and whether this then exacerbated the recession, is very much a quantifiable one, which could be tested/analyzed through economics research. It is certainly possible, and may or may not be true (I have not looked to see if any studies have been done on this) but one thing it is not is a matter of opinion.

          • http://intensedebate.com/people/michaelhyatt Michael Hyatt

            Great. Please report back with the results of your study, and I will modify my post accordingly.

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/debjowen Deb

    I used to do this when I'd notice I had it on too much. I had to constantly feel 'connected'. (And don't get me started on political races. I can totally get sucked into those.) Now, I regulate it on a regular basis. I stay informed, and believe that's important. But not nearly as much as I used to. When it starts negatively affecting your attitude, seeps into your soul, and especially when it keeps someone from taking positive action (fretting and blaming the economy rather than taking the positive actions that *could* help in your specific circumstances) — it's time to turn it off. Or at least turn it down.

    That goes for social media too. ;-)

    Great post!
    All the best!
    deb

  • http://www.ignitiongarage.com Brett

    Amen Michael! I have been on a news fast since March, and while I have not been the most current "in-the-know" person at parties, I have been able to stay abreast of critical issues (like the BP spill). The negative economic news especially has had a negative impact on my daily thinking (it is often presented as overwhelming). Glad to hear others are feeling the same!

  • http://musicroad.blogspot.com Kerry Dexter

    throwing in an idea I learend from Christine Kane — if you’ve not looked inot her work, Michael, I think you may like ideas she has in her coaching practice. anyway, her thought is both the negative media information and criticizing the media for it are forms of reaction. as you’re suggesting here, step away from these views — she suggests on both sides of media and criticizing media. rather, when you encounter these attitudes, use them as, in her words ‘resistance training’ to remind you to work actively on your own path and goals, rather than to spend time being reactive. I’m liking that idea.

  • Cindy Beall

    Great call. I haven’t really watched the news in years. Sure, I don’t know about every single thing that goes on in the world, but my home is more peaceful. We listen to music that helps us focus on Christ and actually play games and put puzzles together. *shock*

    Enjoy your fast and subsequent peace.

  • http://www.csbc.com fermin whittaker

    Mike,
    I will also include the continued streaming of negative news re Christianity, the Church and our faith. There is a tsunami of good news taking place among believers of Jesus Christ but few are telling the story. I thought I was the only voice in this, but grateful for the gift the Lord has given you to express your thoughts. Thanks.

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