If you want a realistic perspective on the news, pay attention over a holiday break like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The news websites, podcasts and videos that were filled with “breaking news”, “what you need to know about”, “existential”, and “unprecedented” go dark.
Why?
Because everybody is on vacation. Suddenly all of these supposedly URGENT issues can wait.
If you want an even broader prospective, read the news from last year. I did this once. All of the news was completely inconsequential one year later. Literally everything.
The news doesn’t tell us what is important – other than the local weather and hyper-local updates on traffic, road conditions and community happenings.
Instead, it turns out that we (including those in the news media) agree on what’s important – your life, time with family and friends, celebrations, traditions, vacations and love.
Th “news” is just a distraction from what is truly important.
Go figure.