I spent years not following the news - meaning politics mostly - especially when the kids were young, so I do get it. Your point about news consumption in the home where you grew up is good. My parents watched the evening news, people like Walter Cronkite, every night and grumbled about it a lot (if my mom were alive today’s news would kill her) so it’s natural for me now as I become her :/ to pay attention. Plus I have the time. These days my version of anxiety demands more input, not less.
We all try to find the way that works for us. But at this point, when the government as we have known it is literally being dismantled, probably illegally, I think we all need to stay at least somewhat aware. Maybe a daily news digest like The Morning Wire from AP.com? Or indeed The Skimm if they are covering the great dismantling? Pick one good one and call it done. ❤️
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Meg! And I appreciated hearing about it over lunch the other weekend too. :) I hadn't before considered that consuming more could help ease one's anxiety so learning that is a super helpful reminder of how differently we all operate. Thanks for your advice 🤍
The news is so rough right now. Given the current climate, I'm re-reading 1984 and it's ironic (and terrifying) how many similarities there are. I'm embarrassed to say I use TikTok to stay in the know, and the sources can obviously be questionable. But it's hard to feel like traditional news sources aren't biased either. I've heard (from a few people on TikTok lol) that PBS is a reliable outlet and their news streams on YouTube for free. I haven't given it a try, but I can vouch for their children's programming, which I watched religiously in the 90s (shoutout to Arthur!) lol.
On a positive note, I love the intention you bring to your posts. Your words are thoughtful and full of great questions, which is far different from others who write from a heated headspace or incite arguments for the fun of it when it comes to politics. I can see how this post would feel scary to share, but you're very levelheaded and it reads as such 🫶
Ha, I love that you are rereading 1984! I've actually thought about doing that myself. I'm currently reading The School for Good Mothers which had been on my list for years but picked it up now b/c it found its way back to me and apparently reading dystopian stories that feel too eerily real in this climate are oddly comforting/enjoyable to me in a way?
I don't think you need to feel embarrassed about learning from TikTok. Social media is a huge source for news, I've done it myself. But being aware of what comes with that channel is important, like you said. You make a good point about bias - it is everywhere. That's why Ground News is something I'm going to look into more, as it actually shows you the left/right bias of every single piece as well as coverage, so you can get a sense for which news stories are being represented ~equally by both sides, as well as those really only being covered by one side of the aisle.
And lastly—thanks so much for the compliment Lauren, that means a lot! Right before posting this I was thinking, "geez, I don't know if this reflects how much time I actually spent on it" but then I stopped myself and was like, no, I can tell when I read something if someone put thought into it so that has to be the same for my writing. So it feels very validating to hear that! 🤍
You should! I also discovered there's a retelling of it from Julia's POV which I might add to my list. Ooooo I read The School for Good Mothers a couple years ago, it's such an interesting (and heartbreaking) concept. I don't remember much of the details now, but I remember it was a haunting page turner.
That's true, and one thing I appreciate about a platform like TikTok is how people can share things in real-time – aka before the news outlets have time to put their own spin on it. I'll have to check out Ground News too, I like that approach of presenting both sides equally.
Of course! I can understand that intrusive thought, I get those too. I'm glad you were able to find perspective and press publish despite any doubts :)
This is one of my favorite posts you’ve written! And so thought-provoking. I used to be a news junkie, probably stemming partly from my previous interest in politics and my former life as a journalist. I did like to be the person who knew everything as it was happening. But I agree. There was no added value in that other than the social flex of seeming like an informed human. I now am much more intentional with my news. If anything, I consider myself fairly tuned out. I can’t change who’s in office at this point. And I can’t change his policies. I want to be educated when it comes to voting and when there’s an opportunity for me to make a difference. But most of the time, the news does nothing more than cause anxiety and a sense of powerlessness. These days, I read the Morning Brew and The Pour Over for my news. Both are email newsletters that give me a high-level view of what’s happening in the world. If I’m not feeling like reading the news that day, I simply delete the email or save it for later. It gives me power over choosing when to consume the often upsetting information. And it’s made me a lot more mentally healthy, which is a win in my book.
Aw thanks for the kind words, Michelle! 🖤 And for sharing your perspective. I love seeing how this can transition as one navigates through life—it's so clearly a fluid thing we must all figure out.
I forgot about the Morning Brew, I used to read that. Haven't heard of The Pour Over. Love that both are coffee-themed names haha.
Ha, I totally forgot about that tote! I remember I got it because of referring new subscribers.
My report from reading a handful of daily Skimms since I posted this - it still feels like a good summary! Just gotta ignore/unsubscribe from all their other content streams, which fortunately they provide a good user experience for.
I spent years not following the news - meaning politics mostly - especially when the kids were young, so I do get it. Your point about news consumption in the home where you grew up is good. My parents watched the evening news, people like Walter Cronkite, every night and grumbled about it a lot (if my mom were alive today’s news would kill her) so it’s natural for me now as I become her :/ to pay attention. Plus I have the time. These days my version of anxiety demands more input, not less.
We all try to find the way that works for us. But at this point, when the government as we have known it is literally being dismantled, probably illegally, I think we all need to stay at least somewhat aware. Maybe a daily news digest like The Morning Wire from AP.com? Or indeed The Skimm if they are covering the great dismantling? Pick one good one and call it done. ❤️
Just avoid the ones that claim to be “unbiased” because they never are.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Meg! And I appreciated hearing about it over lunch the other weekend too. :) I hadn't before considered that consuming more could help ease one's anxiety so learning that is a super helpful reminder of how differently we all operate. Thanks for your advice 🤍
I genuinely like this morganne! Really well said and written.
Thank you Eddy! Also, so cool to see you here writing on Substack too! Welcome 😄
The news is so rough right now. Given the current climate, I'm re-reading 1984 and it's ironic (and terrifying) how many similarities there are. I'm embarrassed to say I use TikTok to stay in the know, and the sources can obviously be questionable. But it's hard to feel like traditional news sources aren't biased either. I've heard (from a few people on TikTok lol) that PBS is a reliable outlet and their news streams on YouTube for free. I haven't given it a try, but I can vouch for their children's programming, which I watched religiously in the 90s (shoutout to Arthur!) lol.
On a positive note, I love the intention you bring to your posts. Your words are thoughtful and full of great questions, which is far different from others who write from a heated headspace or incite arguments for the fun of it when it comes to politics. I can see how this post would feel scary to share, but you're very levelheaded and it reads as such 🫶
Ha, I love that you are rereading 1984! I've actually thought about doing that myself. I'm currently reading The School for Good Mothers which had been on my list for years but picked it up now b/c it found its way back to me and apparently reading dystopian stories that feel too eerily real in this climate are oddly comforting/enjoyable to me in a way?
I don't think you need to feel embarrassed about learning from TikTok. Social media is a huge source for news, I've done it myself. But being aware of what comes with that channel is important, like you said. You make a good point about bias - it is everywhere. That's why Ground News is something I'm going to look into more, as it actually shows you the left/right bias of every single piece as well as coverage, so you can get a sense for which news stories are being represented ~equally by both sides, as well as those really only being covered by one side of the aisle.
And lastly—thanks so much for the compliment Lauren, that means a lot! Right before posting this I was thinking, "geez, I don't know if this reflects how much time I actually spent on it" but then I stopped myself and was like, no, I can tell when I read something if someone put thought into it so that has to be the same for my writing. So it feels very validating to hear that! 🤍
You should! I also discovered there's a retelling of it from Julia's POV which I might add to my list. Ooooo I read The School for Good Mothers a couple years ago, it's such an interesting (and heartbreaking) concept. I don't remember much of the details now, but I remember it was a haunting page turner.
That's true, and one thing I appreciate about a platform like TikTok is how people can share things in real-time – aka before the news outlets have time to put their own spin on it. I'll have to check out Ground News too, I like that approach of presenting both sides equally.
Of course! I can understand that intrusive thought, I get those too. I'm glad you were able to find perspective and press publish despite any doubts :)
I finished it the other day, gah 💔
This is one of my favorite posts you’ve written! And so thought-provoking. I used to be a news junkie, probably stemming partly from my previous interest in politics and my former life as a journalist. I did like to be the person who knew everything as it was happening. But I agree. There was no added value in that other than the social flex of seeming like an informed human. I now am much more intentional with my news. If anything, I consider myself fairly tuned out. I can’t change who’s in office at this point. And I can’t change his policies. I want to be educated when it comes to voting and when there’s an opportunity for me to make a difference. But most of the time, the news does nothing more than cause anxiety and a sense of powerlessness. These days, I read the Morning Brew and The Pour Over for my news. Both are email newsletters that give me a high-level view of what’s happening in the world. If I’m not feeling like reading the news that day, I simply delete the email or save it for later. It gives me power over choosing when to consume the often upsetting information. And it’s made me a lot more mentally healthy, which is a win in my book.
Aw thanks for the kind words, Michelle! 🖤 And for sharing your perspective. I love seeing how this can transition as one navigates through life—it's so clearly a fluid thing we must all figure out.
I forgot about the Morning Brew, I used to read that. Haven't heard of The Pour Over. Love that both are coffee-themed names haha.
We were DIE HARD skimmers! You had a tote! I miss its original form so much. Someone else needs to bring that back.
Ha, I totally forgot about that tote! I remember I got it because of referring new subscribers.
My report from reading a handful of daily Skimms since I posted this - it still feels like a good summary! Just gotta ignore/unsubscribe from all their other content streams, which fortunately they provide a good user experience for.
Thanks for reading Melissa! :)