May 25, 2010
Knowledge is Power – and Depressing
When I was growing up, we would eat dinner promptly at 6 p.m. watching Walter Cronkite tell us that’s the way it was. Not uttering a word, my Dad would often shake his head left to right which was code for “the world’s going to hell in a handbasket.”
Now I know what that head-shaking, eyes-on-the-plate, pass-the-gravy glare to my Mom feels like. Today’s headlines are horrible. Lies, wars and corruption in the first news block followed by special reports on all things bad about real estate, the economy and the stock market. What little time that’s left for any positive news at the end of the broadcast is summarily overshadowed by the previous 25 minutes of death and destruction. As I’ve previously explained, that’s because if it bleeds, it leads. Maybe it’s because I just read Anderson Cooper’s Dispatches from the Edge book (well written, but troubling accounts of Rwanda, Katrina and Iraq) or it could be that I’m listening to Game Change about the 2008 presidential election (this is just self-induced depression about political campaigns). The point is that I’ve practically metamorphosized into my Dad around the dinner/evening news hour.
So what to do?
1) Start a new type of newscast/daily publication/Internet stories called The Good Time Channel. Maybe if the media covered more positive news that actually enhances our quality of life, some of the shrill makers wanting coverage for the sake of coverage would diminish. Sort of a “starve the idiot, feed the reporter” approach.
2) Base the next season of Survivor (disclosure: I’ve never seen the show) on media reps from the networks, dailies, tabloids, wire services, etc. Let them fight it out via worm-eating contests and bug-ridden islands. Last person living gets to be the single source of news until the next season.
3) Change the channel. Thank goodness for TV Land, HGTV and The History Channel. Instead of punishing yourself by watching the news at the end of a typically hard day at work, reward yourself with an episode of Andy Griffith, House Hunters or American Pickers.
Am I the only one who’s being negatively impacted by today’s headlines?
Nothing cheers me up like a good episode of "Leave it to Beaver" …a break from the constant negative media is good for the soul!
You're so right! Thanks for commenting.
Not at all… HGTV is my "television happy place". Full of creativity and positive impact! In fact, the network you described above is HGTV – just happens to have a focus. But do you ever see a show that focuses on negative? Nope – it's all about extracting the best and promoting the positive in people at home. Ok, the occasional drama with Selling NY…but always with a feel good ending, still. And somehow, this network is one of the highest rated cable networks. Just like the food network and Fine Living (not as high due to limited availability).
And look at "extreme home makeover"… one of the most popular reality tv shows that focuses on making lives better and the impact people have on each other. Since the show's inception…less and less time has actually been devoted to showing the finished product, while more time has been focused on the human interaction.
So perhaps there is an underlying revolution… one that can explode if we continue to find common denominators that attract the masses.
Excellent points and programming suggestions! Let's hope this potential revolution will explode and find tons of viewers/advertisers. It's the 'ole supply and demand issue – let's demand more uplifting news!
I agree with the post, but I am also probably one of the guilty party.
However, I can't help but noticing at my newspapers, "feel good" stories always received positive feedback, but the "bad" stories are what sold papers.
When I look back on the very best-selling newspapers I've produced over the years, the top ones are:
-Recent local flooding.
-Obama's inauguration.
-Space shuttle breaking up over the town where I was editor.
-A mayor and vice-mayor being recalled from office for fraudulent activity.
-An incident I covered in which five police officers were shot.
Only the inauguration would be considered "good news."
However, the story I remember getting the most feedback on? A great feature written by a reporter of mine on a couple celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary. It was a touching story about a couple that had spent their lives together and were now starting to fade mentally. It generated tons of letters, cards and e-mails but the sales of that edition were only average, despite the front-page play.
Not sure what that all says about news and consumption, but it is my observation from life on the inside.
I'm thrilled to have the perspective of a current newspaper publisher! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and insights. I especially liked the 68th wedding anniversary story – clearly the lead story on The Good Time Channel!
For a good laugh, catch the following: John Stewart, The Colbert Report, anything from Glen Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly, "Rush to Judgment Limbaugh," Jesse Jackson, and just about any member of Congress. "If you don't laugh, you'll cry."
Don,
I've all but banned myself from watching any of those shows. Even though some have a level of sarcasm, if not comedic writing, it still depresses me because their material comes from today's headlines. Maybe I'm having a midlife crisis! Thanks for your ideas though.
When I was a child I watched the classic early televison show "Superman." Anyone old enough to remember Superman/Clark Kent dispatching criminals without the need of tazers, guns or trash talk will remember that he fought for "Truth, Justice and The American Way." Even without a detailed explanation we all had a sense of the meaning in those words. Today's media outlets and the political environment in Washington and State Houses around the country mock those words. Odd, I find them more applicable to "American Pickers" and HGTV's "Holmes on Homes." The world as we knew it will never be the same again. Will the last one out please turn out the light.
As always, well written and insightful. The news makes the news media, which is the depressing point. And I agree – the world as I knew it as a child will never be like that again. Thanks for commenting.
Banned the news in our home a couple of years ago due to the exact reasons you state. Too depressing, and not so sure it’s always truthful. As a family, we find ourselves reading books together, playing games, playing outside, finding sports to have fun together (this past season it was the Predators. Go Preds!) I don’t feel as if I’m missing anything because everyone is always talking about the news so I’m kept up to date…just without the visuals.
Well, you're officially the smartest person I know!!! Thanks for sharing what your family is doing to mentally, spiritually and emotionally mature in a healthy way. Your children are going to thank you so much when they have their own families. Kudos to you for being so smart! Thanks for sharing.
Think about the shows on television during the 60s and early 70s. Bonanza, Leave it To Beaver, Gunsmoke. Most shows had a moral theme, right verses wrong. There was actually some value in watching TV. Not today, nothing but trash, foul language, etc. Television today serves as a handbook to hell for our youth. No wonder the news is as depressing as it is. People have not grown and become better. Today the result of bad behavior is condoned and promoted, mainly by a liberal society who has demanded God be taken out of everything, and who seem to drive what’s aired during newscasts and regular programming. The news will only get worse because we have created a world of bad news, our fault. Ronald Reagan said it well, “A world with out God will become a Godless world”. Think about that.
If my world was Godless, I personally would have no reason to live. Unfortunately the modern-day Babylon times in which we live seems to get worse and worse. There is the argument that the world's always been imperfect, but technology was such that it wasn't constantly perpetuated by media, which goes to your point about people not growing or changing. Kelly's response (see next comment) seems to be the only course of action, especially for today's parents. Thanks for commenting!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE WITH YOUR REACTION TO THE EVENING NEWS! I BELIEVE THAT IF A RECOURSE TO ANY SITUATION APPEARS, IT IS NOT ONE AFTER ALL BECAUSE IT WILL BE SQUELCHED.
You are so right about the negative news. I met someone recently who doesn't read or listen to ANY news/current events. Well, frankly I thought he was a rather ignorant fellow (not read the WSJ & the NY Times cover to cover every AM?!) but I'm beginning to appreciate his perspective!
& I love HGTV & not just because I'm a Realtor. I like the idea that a fresh coat of paint & a postive attitude can solve any problem!
I would have had the same impression as you if someone told me they didn't follow the news. HOWEVER, as Kelly previously commented, she and her family forego the news and opt for family-oriented games, sports, activities, etc. She keeps up with casual conversations re: news, so she's not uninformed, and I bet her children are going to be so much happier as adults! And yes, HGTV, is a GREAT alternative!