Upon going through email this morning, I was left feeling anxious. The word ‘anxious’ isn’t really right, but I don’t have a better word. Not scared as in frightened… just… ugh!
State Representative, Jim Lucas, of Seymour, was arrested for OWI — and leaving the scene of an accident. He’s a Republican so the Democrats are pulling out every single Republican name they can think of on social media to tie to his crime. I’ve never been a fan of his (I’ve read heated exchanges between him and another FB friend where he was rude and ugly) but c’mon, people.
Not willing to throw my thoughts out to social media — I’ll just sit here waiting to see if I can get honeysuckle I picked to take root…
And play Diablo 4 when it goes live tonight at 7:00 PM ET. 🙂
TIL (Today I Learned): The acronym “R.I.P.” has been engraved on tombstones since at least the fifth century. “Rest in Peace” is the English translation of a Latin phrase with the same acronym.
Here I go… referencing the Depp VS Heard trial and it’s not even in session this week. Can’t help myself because I’m just so amazed how “news organizations” pick sides on everything — not just politics.
Social media is full of trial clips and people voicing their opinions for both sides — more for Johnny Depp. Evidently, the news has to compete for those ad dollars, so juicier headlines are needed. No matter how far they’ll stoop for a scoop, there’s no way they can get saucier than TMZ who was happy to pay Heard for video of Depp slapping around cabinets, as well as a photo of her busted lip not allowed in trial.
Next you have the youtubers, tiktockers, twitter hashtags and facebook memes. The Internet is saturated with past and present video/audio clips and opinions — the Depp/Heard trial is a big draw right now so lots are doing it. Note this is the same process no matter what “big sensational happening” is going on in the world.
I tuned in to a stream yesterday and watched as names and contribution amounts donated during the show were read. The totals were astonishing — thousands of dollars.
I’ll admit, I love to consume the stuff the jury will never see or hear.
But when it comes to my NEWS — I just want accurate and unbiased reporting.
I’m not sure that exists anymore. 🙁
Merida hates social media, biased news stories, tabloids… and everything else one may consume or access while online. Computer time for her Mom means less attention throughout the day. Be like Merida!
TIL (Today I Learned): Ravens and wolf cubs have been observed playing, with ravens flying over the cubs with sticks, teasing the cubs into jumping to grab the stick.
If you’re old (like me) you probably remember the TV Show, “Hee-Haw” that was on the air from 1969 to 1992. And… if you ever watched a single episode you probably remember the song Buck Owens sang about deep, dark depression and excessive misery.
That’s what doomscrolling will get ya!
Doomscrolling (or doomsurfing) is the act of spending an excessive amount of screen time devoted to the absorption of negative news. First it was COVID… now it’s Russia and the Ukraine. Oh… and high gas prices and inflation and a bajillion other things that point to a gloomy future ahead.
Doomscrolling is not healthy. When social media networks push trending topics, the problem intensifies.
Current events are bad enough without doomscrolling.
Take Bill Zollars for example. He was appointed to the board of USPS by the current administration. Zollars was under a federal probe regarding defrauding the Pentagon in 2011, and he’s currently associated with companies that compete against USPS. So why appoint him, Democrats?And you won’t likely find that info by doomscrolling.
Watching news on TV in excess can be bad too.
Check out the body language and expressions in the photo below…
When learning more about what’s going on in the world makes you feel like they look… unplug. 🙂
Turn off the TV and stop negative online surfing. Close your Twitter app. Talk to your spouse or friends or read a good, relaxing book. Listen to music. Play with your dogs if you have them — inside or outside, they don’t care. (They just don’t want to be outside if you’re inside — and vice versa.)
TIL (Today I Learned): The first three fictional artists to reach number 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 were all groups: the Chipmunks, the Archies and the Partridge Family.
Headlines are sensationalized with news stories residing behind a paywall. Then we wonder why the Internet flows with misinformation and rampant shares of untruths? Even Reuters now charges a subscription rate — a whopping $35 bucks a month.
My Twitter feed has evolved into a bunch of sensationalized headlines that link to articles behind a paywall.
I get it. Everybody needs to make money, right? Those people that write the sensationalized headlines have to get paid. What really bugs me most is that after you pay that $35 a month, you’re still tracked, and you are still served up ridiculous click-bait ads about pimples and how to get a butt like J Lo. 😏
For example, “Russia says Meta (Facebook) and Google should be held accountable for ‘inciting war.’” Sorry, you can’t find out why they’re being accused, or what they’ve done that’s incited war, or who in Russia said that (Frank’s housekeeper’s nephew’s wife?) because you’ve already used your 5 free articles this month. Thanks, Reuters.
The Associated Press (APnews.com) is currently still free and is ranked #1 for unbiased reporting. With CNN on the far left and Fox News on the far right, I prefer middle of the road reputable and reliable information. NPR is another source that leans a little left at times but is free and decent.
And in other news…
It’s March 1, the weather today is to be in the mid 60’s in my slice of the world, and I’ve officially decided to switch to Android. I ordered a Samsung smart watch yesterday and will be trading in my Apple watch. I’m now fully committed… for better or worse.
TIL (Today I Learned): The US-Canada border is the longest international border in the world, and that Alaska’s portion alone is about 38%.
It’s a sad day when “reputable” news sources include a bajillion clickbait ads with every article.
CNN sent a news alert email today with the headline, “One student dead in school shooting in suburban Denver, 8 others injured” followed by an ad for socks. Once you get to the page, you’re served up at least a bajillion more ads — from looking at Octomom’s kids grown up to toenail fungus relief. Oh, and that’s AFTER a video ad overlay starts playing… with sound.
Even local online news sites are guilty. How exactly is my city’s news source, The Tribune, to be trusted when it serves up garbage like this along with every article?
I want to know what’s going on in the world around me. I understand that everyone — and every business/company/organization — must be profitable. When I visit news sites I’m not paying and I’m ok with advertisements…
