November 04, 2004

Decompressing George: After all the heartbreak and bile-raising of this election season, with the needle on my outrage-meter constantly buried and the level of my Faith-in-Humanity-Ometer at the lowest levels ever recorded, I need a break.

So I'm staging a news fast. I will read no hard news for at least a week, more if it turns out I like it. I'm reading only entertainment news, funny news, and insightful commentaries about modern global culture. I'm avoiding any "hard news" posts, any political tv shows, and anything resembling a newspaper. This is not to say I'm dropping out and becoming a pop-culture opium fiend--though there is that temptation (*mmm...sweet opiate of the masses*)--I'll get involved and active and outraged again soon enough. I just need some downtime, or I'm going to rage myself out. *See that? See what I did there?* Who's with me?

posted by TenaciousPettle 20 years ago
  • I usually avoid the news like the plague anyway, but count me in. And I think I'm gonna take up kickboxing. I need something to pound.
  • Avoiding news is an excellent way to reduce overall stress. If you're a news junkie, try weaning yourself from it, by avoiding all news (radio, TV, newspapers, and internet) one day a week, then two, then three, etc. Within seven weeks you'll be news free and much more relaxed. To keep informed, you can try just reading Sunday papers.
  • I told myself I was going to cut back on my newsfeeds after the election no matter which way it went. I don't think I'm ready for a total news fast, but I got overloaded the last few weeks of the election. Also, I'm not ready to give up my news magazine (one, used to be more). I understand about the needing-to-recharge thing, though. A British friend who runs a PBeM that's been on hiatus rebooted yesterday. I think she'd meant to wait until the weekend, but most of her players needed cheering up. It worked.
  • TP, I decided last night that I'm going to forego all my usual sources of information in an ignoble experiment: for the next two months, I will get all of my news only from Fox. I want to see how the other half lives.
  • Quick, Quick, you've got to see what's just come up on the BBC... tee hee but seriously folks, good luck to ya, but I need to know...
  • I will read no hard news for at least a week, more if it turns out I like it Careful with that, or you'll find yourself voting Republican in 08.
  • I ususally skim the headlines. It's usually all I need.
  • I've been thinking along the same lines. The fact that I've got a backlog of library books to finish helps a great deal.
  • Yes, I too understand the appeal of curling up with a nice bottle, opium pipe or whatever, but after being bummed out all of Wednesday, have now decided to use my ample supply of piss and vinegar by "acting locally". As some monkey's might be aware, I am behind efforts to save a local historic diner/hamburger stand. After having such fun doing it, I've decided that I might start to get involved in local politics. I live on the edge of one of the most politically progressive cities in America (West Hollywood) and there is ample opportunity for me to get things done here at home, while still doing my best to influence politics at a local level. BTW, out meeting was covered by three local LA news programs last night and we were on the front page of the LA Times Tuesday!!
  • Excellent idea, squidranch. I hope I do as well with my endeavors.
  • WOO HOO SQUIDS! If Irv's doesn't already serve calamari, they should in your honor.
  • I've decided to go with the "head in the sand" coping mechanism until I snap out of the depression. It seems to have worked for 52% of other Americans, so there must be something to it. However, I'm discovering that avoiding news is more difficult than I anticipated. What are we supposed to watch on TV in the mornings while getting ready for work? The Weather Channel? Fortunately, we have HDTV so yesterday morning I watched an IMAX movie on beavers that they were showing on INHD.
  • Gooooo, Squidranch! My friends and I are trying to do what we can, too. I'm helping put up a play called _Jane_ (about the illegal abortion service in Chicago in the 60s). It's going up at the local Unitarian Church. If you want a place where the people know how to get involved in cool stuff, go to the Unitarians. -- As for news, I avoided my beloved "Meet the Press" and "Late Edition" for the last few weeks of the election. I think if I avoid it for a couple more weeks, the gloating should be over and Timmy Russert will be back to ripping out politicians' throats :)
  • go. squid!
  • Yay, squid; saw Irv's on TV myself last night (Channel 13 - no sign of you). Get interviewd by the TV and WEAR A MONKEYFILTER T-SHIRT (can we get some made?)
  • Run 'em up on cafepress, Wendell. Just get an artistic monkey to design something and sell them at cost.
  • Apparently they've annexed parts of Cascadia.
  • Um, that was supposed to be in this thread. sorry . . .
  • You monkeys should all come decompress at #mofirc. I haven't seen anyone there after that dark night in November.
  • Hi all, I just got back from a long drive to and from Palm Springs. I meant to say "...while still doing my best to influence politics at a global level..." Thanks for the props, my mofi peeps. And keep the faith. Now the real fight begins.