Great post! I think I tend towards 'no news is good news', but I have learned to verify that there is actually no news! Sometimes I've been unpleasantly surprised after asking how things are going...
As far as the reliability of news media, I was reminded of a concept introduced by the author Michael Crichton called 'Gell-Mann Amnesia'. Here is how he summarizes it:
"You open the newspaper to an article on some subject you know well... You read the article and see the journalist has absolutely no understanding of either the facts or the issues. Often, the article is so wrong it actually presents the story backward—reversing cause and effect. I call these the “wet streets cause rain” stories. Paper’s full of them.
In any case, you read with exasperation or amusement the multiple errors in a story, and then turn the page to national or international affairs, and read as if the rest of the newspaper was somehow more accurate about Palestine than the baloney you just read. You turn the page, and forget what you know."
I don't watch T V news at all instead of that my childhood habit switch on the Radio in the morning s AIR (now a days we have lots of FM channels) I have kept Radio in the kitchen that will give me brief news of everything am happy with that. Radio is my time keeper also in the mornings.
No news is good news especially waiting for the report in the hospital in every situation the perspective changes.
The problem with Australian news is that most of the time you get only half the facts and therefore come to the wrong conclusions .
Like you I tend not to watch the TV news as mostly it is superficial and alarming for no reason .
The latest news is that inflation is coming , some businesses find that this is a convenient story for them to actually start increasing their products .
Prasanna, when I switch on the TV to watch a film on the Netflix or Amazon Prime, nine out of ten movies are about crime sex and violence. Similarly in our news channels and newspapers, it is no different. If I were to report a crime in the neighborhood, even before the police arrive, the media is on the scene wanting to cover the event. This is because the viewers and the readers want it. It is a case of demand and supply. If I were to report a student’s extraordinary academic accomplishment, there are no takers. It is not news worthy. Hence in today’s context, I subscribe no news being ‘Good News’. It means there is a lull in violence and peace on earth, however momentary that is.
IMO this is all about perspective here… information has becoming like a black hole, the more you seek the more you are lost!
As you beautifully articulated, in every situation the perspective changes; no news becomes good or bad when the circumstances or relationship changes…
Communication means that we have now have made us into unsatisfied beings seeking instant gratification !!!
Everything is relative and not absolute! And certainly ignorance is bliss but we can't remain unaffected in the context of today's world, whether with news or without news!
These days News is mostly presented as Opinion and not Information. So I understand why you avoid channels..... Information is quiet, opinions are loud!
Simply superb. Truth be told like you have. Loved the analogies. Hard hitting.
Well said
Great post! I think I tend towards 'no news is good news', but I have learned to verify that there is actually no news! Sometimes I've been unpleasantly surprised after asking how things are going...
As far as the reliability of news media, I was reminded of a concept introduced by the author Michael Crichton called 'Gell-Mann Amnesia'. Here is how he summarizes it:
"You open the newspaper to an article on some subject you know well... You read the article and see the journalist has absolutely no understanding of either the facts or the issues. Often, the article is so wrong it actually presents the story backward—reversing cause and effect. I call these the “wet streets cause rain” stories. Paper’s full of them.
In any case, you read with exasperation or amusement the multiple errors in a story, and then turn the page to national or international affairs, and read as if the rest of the newspaper was somehow more accurate about Palestine than the baloney you just read. You turn the page, and forget what you know."
Excellent post 😊😊👌
I don't watch T V news at all instead of that my childhood habit switch on the Radio in the morning s AIR (now a days we have lots of FM channels) I have kept Radio in the kitchen that will give me brief news of everything am happy with that. Radio is my time keeper also in the mornings.
No news is good news especially waiting for the report in the hospital in every situation the perspective changes.
Loved your post 😊
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Well said Pras .
The problem with Australian news is that most of the time you get only half the facts and therefore come to the wrong conclusions .
Like you I tend not to watch the TV news as mostly it is superficial and alarming for no reason .
The latest news is that inflation is coming , some businesses find that this is a convenient story for them to actually start increasing their products .
I love your posts and hope you enjoy your travels
Prasanna, when I switch on the TV to watch a film on the Netflix or Amazon Prime, nine out of ten movies are about crime sex and violence. Similarly in our news channels and newspapers, it is no different. If I were to report a crime in the neighborhood, even before the police arrive, the media is on the scene wanting to cover the event. This is because the viewers and the readers want it. It is a case of demand and supply. If I were to report a student’s extraordinary academic accomplishment, there are no takers. It is not news worthy. Hence in today’s context, I subscribe no news being ‘Good News’. It means there is a lull in violence and peace on earth, however momentary that is.
Good post Pras.
I am like you- stay away from the breaking news !
IMO this is all about perspective here… information has becoming like a black hole, the more you seek the more you are lost!
As you beautifully articulated, in every situation the perspective changes; no news becomes good or bad when the circumstances or relationship changes…
Communication means that we have now have made us into unsatisfied beings seeking instant gratification !!!
Thank you Damandeep. You have voiced your views so well.
Everything is relative and not absolute! And certainly ignorance is bliss but we can't remain unaffected in the context of today's world, whether with news or without news!
You couldn't have said it better.
These days News is mostly presented as Opinion and not Information. So I understand why you avoid channels..... Information is quiet, opinions are loud!
My line is No opinions is good news!
Excellent summation TK