News: Why to Read but not Watch?
Dr. Marcos De Pablo' ✉
"The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses." — (Malcolm X)
News is the oxygen of democracy, the force that informs public discourse and shapes collective consciousness. In an era of relentless digital connectivity, it has become a constant companion—flashing across our phone screens, blaring from television sets, and filling our social media feeds. Yet, have we stopped to reflect on its impact on our mental well-being, our ability to discern truth, and our engagement with the world?
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| The Spectacles depict the universal sign of reading something important. |
The Emotional Manipulation
News is not neutral. It is crafted to evoke emotions—fear, outrage, excitement, or sorrow. The modern news cycle thrives on sensationalism, understanding that emotional reactions drive engagement. The more shocking the headline, the more clicks it receives. As neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett explains, "Our brains are wired to prioritize emotionally salient information." This means that a constant diet of dramatic headlines and crisis-driven narratives can leave us in a state of heightened anxiety and stress.
Take, for example, the 24-hour coverage of disasters, political scandals, and crime reports. While staying informed is crucial, relentless exposure to such emotionally charged content can distort our perception of reality. Studies have shown that individuals who consume excessive news often develop a skewed worldview, overestimating the likelihood of rare but dramatic events, such as terrorist attacks or plane crashes, while underestimating systemic issues like poverty or climate change.
A striking example of this phenomenon occurred during the Ebola outbreak of 2014. News coverage was dominated by images of hazmat suits, dire warnings, and dramatic projections about the virus spreading globally. In reality, only a handful of cases emerged outside of West Africa. However, the saturation of fear-inducing headlines led to widespread panic in the United States, with schools closing over unfounded fears, airline passengers being quarantined unnecessarily, and misinformation spreading at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, more pressing but less sensational global health crises, such as malaria and tuberculosis, which claim millions of lives each year, received significantly less attention.
The Amnesia Effect
Another troubling characteristic of modern news consumption is its ephemeral nature. News stories that dominate the headlines today are forgotten tomorrow. The nature of the industry prioritizes speed over depth, leading to what some scholars call "the amnesia effect"—the rapid fading of significant stories from public memory. Consider the numerous humanitarian crises that briefly capture global attention before being overshadowed by the next trending event. A natural disaster that devastates an entire region may command headlines for a week, but its aftermath, which often lasts years, rarely sustains public interest.
This fleeting quality of news consumption has significant consequences. People who consume news passively often retain little information, making it difficult to develop a coherent understanding of ongoing issues. Instead of fostering deep engagement, the constant churn of headlines encourages a culture of superficial knowledge, where we skim rather than analyze, react rather than reflect.
Read the News?
In a world oversaturated with information, we must become more intentional about how we consume content. One practical approach is to read the news rather than watch it. When we read, we can control the pace, filter unnecessary distractions, and critically engage with the material. Television news, in contrast, is curated to capture attention, often employing dramatic visuals and emotionally charged commentary that bypass rational analysis.
On the other hand, educational content—documentaries, lectures, TED Talks—should be watched rather than just read. Seeing and hearing experts explain complex topics allows for deeper comprehension. As physicist Richard Feynman once said, "Education is not just about learning facts, but about learning how to think." Watching educational content can transform passive learning into an engaging, thought-provoking experience.
The Transformative Power of Educational Content
If news informs us about the present, education prepares us for the future. Unlike the transient nature of news, educational content provides knowledge that can be applied and retained. Whether learning a new language, understanding economics, or exploring the intricacies of history, engaging with substantive educational material enriches our intellectual lives. Take the case of Salman Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, who revolutionized learning by making high-quality educational videos accessible to millions worldwide. His platform has demonstrated that digital education can be far more impactful than traditional news consumption.
A Mindful Approach to Information
Does this mean we should abandon news entirely? Certainly not. A well-informed citizenry is essential for a functioning democracy. However, a balanced approach is necessary. Setting boundaries—such as dedicating a limited time each day to reading reputable news sources and avoiding endless scrolling through clickbait articles—can help cultivate a healthier relationship with information. Aristotle's wisdom remains relevant: "Virtue is a mean between excess and deficiency." Consuming news in moderation while prioritizing educational content ensures that we remain both informed and intellectually enriched.
Wrap Up!
The problem with modern news is not just its sensationalism, but its effect on our mental and intellectual well-being. By being more mindful of what we consume—choosing to read the news rather than watch it, prioritizing educational content, and striving for balance—we can foster a more informed, thoughtful, and engaged society.
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