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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To never watch the news or read a paper again?

87 replies

HeadMeetSand · 15/12/2016 20:10

People being raped/murdered, animals being made to suffer horrendously, drowned or starving children, pain, death, terror and a relentless unfairness.

I read about it, I watch it. It haunts me and I find myself crying about it, agonising about it.

And the truth is I can't do anything meaningful to stop it. I donate, give gifts, sign petitions, go on marches.

Nothing ever really changes. I don't have the money or the power to really do something about the injustice and those that do, don't do anything meaningful either.

I tried it, just for a week. We didn't buy any newspapers, watch or listen to any news and I actually felt peaceful.

No doubt there are still atrocities happening but I was blissfully unaware of them. And actually able to sit back and enjoy my life, where luckily, for now, nothing bad is happening.

I intended it to only be for a week, but I think I will purposely create a little bubble of ignorance in our home forever. Wibu?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 15/12/2016 21:40

I'll hug you if you're not careful horatio

baconandeggies · 15/12/2016 21:45

Bolivar - do me and 6 yo DD need to be exposed to the very graphic details of the recent cannibalism case? Do we NEED to know about the poisoning of 5 cats?

This was on mainstream radio news at 3pm.

People can keep up with the basics of what's going on without having to subject themselves to the shocking onslaught that is the mainstream media.

1horatio · 15/12/2016 21:46

I don't mind hugs ;)

Out2pasture · 15/12/2016 21:48

OP I agree that the news that is presented can be horrible but at the same time I think horrible sells.
So I don't buy newspapers, but I do look at news sites online. I will research documentaries on a subject and get my news from a variety of sources.
More than not watching the news or buying papers, I find I sleep better not watching any TV shows. all of the CSI series gave me terrible chest and heart pain seeing meaness and spite presented that way.
Like you I do what I can to be helpful and not hurtful (donate volunteer etc.)
You can detach but stay informed

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/12/2016 21:50
Grin
PhoenixJasmine · 15/12/2016 21:51

I respectfully suggest that you might want to consider working on your anger issues then Bolivar, as directing vitriol at people just trying to get on with their own lives doesn't seem to be a fruitful thing in the big scheme either really. Your arguments are a bit straw man too, as the OP comes across as the opposite of proud that they're finding the news too much at the moment.

You know the serenity prayer? (Disclaimer - atheist - just think it's a sensible concept!)

Grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Works for both 'sides' of this debate I think.

Original poster
HeadMeetSand · 15/12/2016 21:52

You can detach but stay informed

I am hoping to eventually reach a better compromise. Though I may just keep quiet about it for now.

OP posts:
srslylikeomg · 15/12/2016 21:52

Yeah, I'm with bolivar not engaging and turning away is the opposite of education and it's not ok. Sorry and all that but: it's not ok.

1horatio · 15/12/2016 21:53

I read the paper and am usually not terribly impressed.

I prefer the OP's way to mine.

Original poster
HeadMeetSand · 15/12/2016 21:53

PhoenixJasmine I really like that serenity prayer.

The first part is definitely what I've been struggling with.

OP posts:
BolivarAtasco · 15/12/2016 21:54

Knowing general information about world news is quite different to sharing with a child details of a nasty crime case, which I would have thought would be obvious and are clearly two different things.

I'm not having a go at the OP specifically, and I'm sorry if that was how it was taken. It's more the head-in-the-sand 'ooh I never read the news, it's boring and I have biscuits to make!' mentality that I'm talking about.

bertiesgal · 15/12/2016 21:57

I have always been so into current affairs. Radio 4 or BBC Scotland was a treat on the way to work but 2016 put paid to that.

I have reverted to the radio channel of my teenage years - Clyde 1 with George Bowie. I can't believe how much happier it makes me.

I want to be interested, I want to be part of positive change but it's all just going to shit and I don't know how to stop it. I also used to listen to politics with interest but there is such a vacuum at the top. You can feel the panicked incompetence of our leaders across the airwaves. How did it come to this?

Any advice on what we can all do? Sorry to sound so pathetic Blush

1horatio · 15/12/2016 21:59

bertie

Bake some biscuits?

But if you're serious I personally would suggest starting in your own community.

Original poster
HeadMeetSand · 15/12/2016 22:01

1horatio I dipped in the biscuit tin a few times for comfort Blush.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 15/12/2016 22:02

Well today I have (as well as working for a housing charity) worked out how to donate DD's toys that we are clearing out to the new Syrian refugees. It took two phone calls. I also looked at MSF because I want to donate (because of Aleppo). Probably baking cookies for the local shelter this evening.

I sound like an arse, I know, but today is a lot because Aleppo is on my mind. Next week I might do nothing.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/12/2016 22:03

Recovering addicts love sweet food. Baking for victory!

bertiesgal · 15/12/2016 22:04

Thanks 1horatio.

I have 4 children and work as a doctor and I'm completing my royal college membership.

To my shame I'm struggling to fit anything else in at the moment but I do plan to try once my hours settle down a bit (and my children are less demanding-ha ha).

I think I do make a difference at work (well my patients kindly tell me that) but I'm just struggling with the bigger picture I guess.

1horatio · 15/12/2016 22:05

I got my period today and didn't have the right painkillers.

Ate chocolate, white bread (I think the first I've eaten since summer?), cheese (not sure when I last had that) and was simply a miserable cow....

It's more the head-in-the-sand 'ooh I never read the news, it's boring and I have biscuits to make!' mentality that I'm talking about.

That's why I suggested baking...;)

HelenF350 · 15/12/2016 22:05

YANBU. I've just been bawling my eyes out at a story about a father murdering his baby son. I find myself in tears every day about one story or another. I can't believe such horrific things happen in the world. I've stopped watching the news and reading papers but social media is full of the stories, I really shouldn't read them.

PitilessYank · 15/12/2016 22:05

YANBU. I can't tell you how many times I have thought about deleting the New York Times app on my phone for the same reason.

However, now that I have moved out of the extreme disgust phase of my post-US-election grief and am now in the schadenfreude period, I am enjoying the train wreck of American politics too much to give up the news.

1horatio · 15/12/2016 22:05

bertie

Well, I think that sounds like you already do a lot!

baconandeggies · 15/12/2016 22:06

Who has displayed anything like that mentality here Bolivar?

OP is quite clearly talking about the bombardment of graphic horrifying incidents that proliferate the media - and the very real grief and anxiety caused by the absorption of such.

The news isn't 'general information' these days. It's blood and guts and gore. It's ok if people want to shield themselves from that imo.

1horatio · 15/12/2016 22:07

yank

Well, 'Schadenfreude ist die beste Freude.'

PitilessYank · 15/12/2016 22:08

Although I do take breaks from the news by listening to funny BBC radio series.

TigerLily666 · 15/12/2016 22:11

I have been much happier since I spend my life watching CBeebies and no longer turn on the news. I will however read online newspapers to keep up to date with what's going on.