How often do you watch sad or depressing news?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
August 1, 2007 10:45pm CST
Just hours ago, there was a major accident when a bridge collapsed and many were killed and injured. It is a nightmare scene on the news. You can't turn on the TV without seeing an update on the accident. And, I have to admit, that for some reason, I am glued to my TV (even Nightline) trying to see if there were any survivors. Most likely not many.
I guess I have always been strangely attracted to the news. When I was pregnant, I went to the hospital in preparation for delivery. And, as I lay there on the hospital bed, strapped to the fetal monitor and watching the news, I heard the strangest sound. Not just one very fast heart beat (which was mine), but two heartbeats. The second fast heartbeat was coming from my unborn baby who was experiencing distress over my heightened emotions.
At that moment, I realized that my obsession with the tragic news was potentially harmful to my baby. My heartbeat was rapid and my pulse was racing as I watched the tragic news on the TV screen. And, as a result, my unborn baby was experiencing a similar reaction. At that point I gave up watching the news. It's been almost four years since I tuned into the news, but today I made an exception. Perhaps because I could not be there to comfort the distraught families who had lost loved ones or maybe because it was the only thing I could do. But, I sat there watching for two hours. I guess I am not the only one. It's the saddest sight I have ever seen.
I wish there were more that I could say about the situation. But, for once in thirty three years, I am finally speechless.
2 people like this
9 responses
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
2 Aug 07
There is something compelling about news reports of a serious nature. I just watched CNN for an hour to hear the press conference. It is especially of concern to me because we lived in St. Paul MN for three years in the early 1970s. We traveled that bridge almost daily to take my wife to work. The bridge was only a few years old at the time, but it is scary to realize something we drove on has now collapsed. It also has me wondering about some other bridges we travel on now.
We hope and pray there are no more deaths as a result of this collapse, and hope all those who are still missing will be found alive and well.
1 person likes this
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
3 Aug 07
I don't ever watch news on tv anymore. It's not something that I want my son exposed to yet. Also, I used to have to listen to one news channel or another all day long at work. I got so tired of hearing the same things over and over again.
Now I just read the newspaper. And I don't even do that everyday. Some days I don't have time, because I don't like to do it when my son is up, in case I read something depressing.
I did read about the bridge collapse and saw the pictures that were on the front page of the paper today. It's very sad. I try not to dwell on things like that, though. It's not good for me, and I don't want my son to see me sad like that.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
2 Aug 07
I too was glued to the television last night after that terrible bridge collapse. I think it's partly because we just can't wrap our brains around the monumental tragedies of life. I remember right after 9/11, I watched the news all day and all night. I finally had to give myself a break because it was all too overwhelming.
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
3 Aug 07
I still think the most disturbing scene for me is the 911 incident, then it's the tsunami happened in Thailand awhile back. And this morning, I saw the news about the bridge collasped in the states. I think news is depressing in general no matter how big or small it is. When there is no news, I think I should be very rested in heaven. And we always have a saying that, "when we have no news, it's the best piece of news ever". Sometimes I just don't watch any news for days, because I don't want to be depressed by them.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
2 Aug 07
I usually tune into the news at 5pm everyday and it is depressing what we do see. Not much good news at all, its either a child kidnapping or murder, someone has gone missing and a body has been found, a shooting, a robbery etc. YOu name it there isn't many good news on tv nowadays, except maybe the weather, but that depends on whether you like rain or humid days.
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
2 Aug 07
Hello beautyqueen26,
I watched the news and read about it online and in our daily newspapers too. It was a tragic accident but honestly speaking, whenever I see this kind of sad or depressing news, I will switch off the television. I can't stand watching any kind of sad or tragic news. Even though my heart and mind really want me to check or get more details about the bad news, I will try hard not to do it. Whenever my baby son is with me while I am watching the television, I will quickly change the channel when there is a bad news.
