LIVING IN A DIGITAL WORLD
So many people I know spend vast amounts of time keeping up online with all the goings-on in the world. They have opinions on the politics of most countries, they are experts on how to end wars, and they're often quite intense in their responses to the latest news updates. They're instantly impacted by global happenings that they'd never have known about in years gone by until they read it in a newspaper a day or so later.They really like being informed about everything, but I sometimes wonder if it's good to be so instantly in touch with everything - and can you really trust everything you read online?
When I ask why they need to be so informed, and why they trust what they're reading, they assure me that it's important to be aware of it all and that their particular news feed has its finger on the pulse, and only provides the facts - no bias whatsoever, and they like being "in the know".
IS INSTANT ACCESS GOOD FOR US?
But, I wonder, do we need to begin and end our days with the latest blasts from politicians or 'experts'? Is it healthy to wake up and immediately grab our phones to see if we've missed any world shaking event? Why has it become so important to be in the loop with every news event worldwide? From what I can see, being immersed too deeply in things you have no influence over leads to a heightening in anxiety and a sense of the world going to hell in a handbasket.
I don't want to live like that. I don't want to be in the loop - I choose to be out of the loop, and don't even want to be looped into the loop. I figure if it's earth-shaking enough to impact my world then I'll hear about it eventually and respond in a more measured way. Often the big click-bait stories blow up and then disappear before I've seen them - and that's perfectly fine with me.
STEERING AWAY FROM ALGORITHMS AND DOOM SCROLLING
My friend Donna from Retirement Reflections wrote an excellent post a few weeks ago about digital wellness and choosing what we subscribe to, how much time we spend on our phones, and whether what we're allowing into our world is healthy for us. I think we need to be really intentional about what we feed into our brains - the algorithms aren't there to give us something for nothing, they're created to drive us to scroll more, to go down rabbit holes, to worry and to feel unsettled, or to envy what others have and to want it for ourselves.
You are only one person. There’s only so much you can do each day. Only so much news you can absorb and carry. A limit to how much of yourself you can pour outwards, into the world. Step back, slow down. Switch off, say no. Look after yourself.
Stacie Swift
No algorithm is designed to make us content with what we have or what we know. And doom scrolling never made anyone happier. I also don't understand why people seek out misery online and then share it on their social media so their 'friends' can be miserable too. Let's keep social media for sharing good stuff - not to create further upset or upheaval in people's lives.
CURATING A VILLAGE MENTALITY
When it comes to all the global doom and gloom, I've chosen to look at things a little differently; I like to have a general idea of what's happening out there in the world, but I don't want to immerse myself in it all day, every day. I ask myself if diving into a particular drama will make any difference to the outcome, and if the answer is "no" then I choose to step back from it and focus more on the things that I have some influence over. I call it practicing selective ignorance.
Our job is not to comprehend or control everything, but to learn which story we are in and which of the many things calling out in the world is calling to us. Our job is to be fully alive in the life we have.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you let instant access to world news impact your daily life? Do you find yourself doom scrolling or going down rabbit holes that impact your mental health? Perhaps it's time to cull some of those sources and become a villager rather than an online warrior...
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Great post and a great way to be reminded about 'getting away' from checking out others' lives on SM and out into the sunshine and nature. Denyse x
ReplyDeleteExactly Denyse - there are far better things to do for our mental health than spending our time doom scrolling or being offended by the opinions of others...
DeleteHi Leanne. I'm afraid ignorance is what got my own country in the trouble it was in with the previous government in charge. The American people were kept in the dark, and out of the loop, about what was really going on in our country. I feel blessed to have returned to America, at this time in our nations history. That being said, I can understand how you feel, about social media. It can be overwhelming, and a cause for a lot of anxiety. I also feel the need to take a break from it sometimes. I choose to get my news from the conservative news sources that I trust. So many positive things are happening in my country, right now, and I want to stay informed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this very important subject. Christina Daggett ♥️
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - I think there's a big difference between being informed and being swamped with information that may or may not be correct, and that can mess with our mental health. The internet drops so much into our lap and causes so much upset and anger - and often about issues we have no control or influence over. I think everyone is entitled to their own private beliefs and opinions - and I'm curating my news feed and social media in a way that gives me space to breathe and not get sucked down too many rabbit holes.
DeleteI really struggle with this. Knowing when to speak up and when to just put my phone down and walk away. I'm trying to discern when I can actually correct a falsehood in my area of knowledge and when I'd just be adding to the noise. It's a tightrope!
ReplyDeleteI didn't intend this to be anonymous!
DeleteHi Rebecca - I think we just need to give ourselves more grace and space - we don't need to convince everyone of our "rightness" or even try to correct those we disagree with, or who we believe are wrong - they're often the strongest voices and get angry and defensive. It's simpler to just be quietly invested in where we can make a positive difference, and leave the rest of the internet to its own noise and chaos....
DeleteHi Leanne - When I was working in the media, I was expected to keep up with what's going on this world. That was in a way habit from my school-college days. That's one reason why I got into the media for a career. And I am quite contented with my 37 years of industry experience in different newspapers as a journalist.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have superannuated, I don't have any boss to report to! But by a force of habit, I do keep following what is happening all around. Basically, the current affairs. But, I am also slowly disengaging myself from getting too much involved in all these goings-on.
Regarding algorithm, I don't depend on that. On social media, I always choose what content to follow. So, rarely do I look into the "For you" section. Instead, I have made my own sections of topics and sources which I check.
Current events have never impacted me deeply. Of course, joyful news makes me happy. Similarly, depressing news makes me sad. But neither of that lasts for more than a short while. I have got used to it over many decades!
(My latest post: Fiction, non-fiction: Why I read what I read)
Hi Pradeep - I think that's one of the things some people are better at than others - being able to compartmentalize and not get too caught up in stuff is a big plus when it comes to following world news. Unfortunately for a lot of us, the more doom and gloom that comes through, the more it impacts our worldview and colours our perception of life. I want to be positive and proactive - so I keep my feed very curated and I like not getting embroiled in things that aren't mine to take on. It sounds like you've stepped back a little since you've retired - it's nice to be able to pick and choose now that we have more headspace isn't it?
DeleteHi Leanne - I like to be informed as to what is going on in the world. Everything that happens in one part of the world have a direct or indirect impact on the rest of it For example what's happening in the US is impacting my country (Canada) such as the prices of everything is increasing (food, lumber, etc).I agree with Christina that one of the problems with the US was that the American people were kept in the dark so ignorance is not bliss. Having said that I want to add that I limit my tv time, don't own a cellphone and I am not on any social media. People think that I live in the Dark Ages because I don't own a cellphone and the fact that I am not on Facebook. I live very well without all those distractions. I like to ask those people how they use to spend their time before social media and the invention of cellphones. I prefer nature walks and to have as much peace and tranquility as possible (very difficult since I live in the city.) Everywhere I go (can't get away from it) people are on their cellphone and it's a real nuisance. Can't even enjoy a meal or a coffee in peace when out. There's a profound disconnection and no interaction with others so that's why I love your blog. I also limit my online time. I do everything that I can to lessen my anxiety and my peace of mind. Sorry about the rant! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne - sorry about the Anonymous thing - it defaults to that sometimes and you have to select your name (darn technology!) I actually thought that you said what I was getting at - just in a different way...it's about being informed, but not being triggered or bombarded constantly with doom and gloom. Curating how much information we take in and when we choose to take it in is the key. When we allow our phones or devices to control our worldview, we lose the perspective that's so vital in this big world we live in.
DeleteIn the "good old days" we watched the evening news and had clear and (fairly) accurate reporting on world events, now it's everywhere, all the time - and some of it is very distorted. I like the idea of keeping my world smaller and more manageable - it keeps my stress levels down and I need to know that I'm in control of what I decide to view - not having it thrust upon me every time I open my laptop (I don't use my phone for anything other than calls and texts - saves being owned by my phone!) I'm glad you get out in nature when you can, it's a favourite balancing factor for me too. x
My comment posted at 21:03 was not intended to be Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with this a lot right now. If we (I) don't get involved in resisting what is happening, are we (am I) then condoning it? But personally, it is hard to deal with everything that is happening - in my city, in my country - on top of my personal challenges. And I do not condone it.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - I keep coming back to being aware, having the right to your own opinion, but not thrusting it down everyone's throat....or assuming that we know everything because we heard it on our newsfeed of choice. Making a difference where we can, and keeping some sort of information balance is key for how I want to deal with the internet - and I will unfollow anyone who aggressively pushes their agenda on social media - it's not the place for it IMHO...
DeleteEven though I know I can't do much to change things, I feel like I need to stay informed because of the crazy things that are going on in my country. I don't know how to explain this. It's kind of like if a grizzly bear were prowling around, I wouldn't want to turn my back. I couldn't do much about it if the bear decided to attack me, but at least he wouldn't sneak up on me. That being said, I do try to be conscious of when I need to pull away, limit the news, and "get back into my bubble" for awhile. Lately, I have been more focused on just trying to keep my home a sanctuary for myself and my loved ones. That is one thing I have some control over, and especially with the summer heat breaking and fall coming, it's just a much more pleasant place to be mentally as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura - I'm a huge advocate for keeping my home as a sanctuary and focusing on the people in my life and those around me who I can be an encouragement to. World politics have been so dominant over the last decade and the US stuff filters down into everything - I'm in Australia, and I figure that any fallout will hit my radar eventually - I don't need to read about it on Facebook... I remember one of our politicians using the phrase "be alert, but not alarmed" and that's all I need - otherwise it all just becomes a crazy, chaotic mess - and I just don't need that in my head and heart every day.
Delete"Be alert, but not alarmed" - I like that!
Delete❤️
DeleteHi Leanne, the only online engagement I have is here, in this forum for bloggers. Interactions are both entertaining and enlightening, and I often gain insights into how people live. I don't see that as a negative, and feel inspired, not envious. I scroll FB Reels on nights when I can't find anything entertaining to watch on TV - mostly music videos. I also follow a few photography sites and a couple of Mahjongg forums. When those aren't teaching me something or showing me something beautiful, I pass by quickly. I don't engage on chat forums or news forums and take a hard pass on anything that looks even slightly AI-generated. I find it very hard to stay informed on current events - so many outlets sensationalize facts. But, I don't stick my head in the sand either. I trust my ability to discern truth and filter everything through my belief system. My 'village' is small, but I like to think I have a positive influence by voting in local politics, attending Commission meetings when environmental/growth issues are proposed, and supporting local establishments. First and foremost is my 'family and friends village.' It may sound selfish, but if we started with maintaining ourselves first, I think we would function better and be less anxious with each other and our conflicting beliefs. Lots to think about, as usual.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - you are exactly my kind of person! I love that you do much the same as I do - keeping social media and your blog feed full of fun and positive and educational info, while staying abreast of the news without drowning in it. The sensationalizing is what drives me crazy - and the people who believe what those sites say and spread it like gospel fact. I have unfollowed several people who feel they need to bring that into my world - there's no room in my very small village for those people.
DeleteAnd yes, I love your 'family and friends village' - that's my first priority too - then my neighbourhood, and being aware of my own country - where I can make a small difference when I vote.....not getting swamped by other countries and their upheavals that I can do absolutely nothing about. Our world has always been crazy - and I just need to filter how much of that craziness I want in my head and heart....and that's on me to determine and curate. x