When does bad news just become white noise?
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17385)
Canada
January 6, 2011 2:15pm CST
Over lunch today, I went to read my newspaper online. And as usual, I was disappointed to see all the bad things making the headlines. Sometimes I feel that there is nothing else to read but bad news all over. And sometimes I feel that because of all the bad news that is bombarded to us regularly, we become desensitized to it.
It’s not that I don’t care about the people in the news. And all the struggles they are going through. Specially if you read that almost everybody is going through the same economic struggles. But the lack of any good news ahead sometimes just make me want to tune out. And regard everything that is happening as white noise.
How about you? Aren’t you tired of all the bad news you read every day? Does it get to a point where it just becomes white noise? Don’t you wish it were different?
3 people like this
11 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Jan 11
Yes, it does get to the point where it becomes white noise. I don't think any human being can take it all in emotionally. We hear of everything that happens, whether it's near to us or not. We can't do a thing about disasters or political unrest or whatever that's happening halfway around the globe. We don't seem to be able to do a lot locally, much less anywhere else. After awhile, frustration becomes almost anger, but we can't be angry at others' bad luck so we have to tune it out. I think it's a sort of self defense mechanism that we simply stop hearing it.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Jan 11
hi bounce I think thats why I have neglected reading the online
newspaper my son paid for me to have as its always bad new about
someone getting killed, raped, lost etc etc. By the time I
finish reading it and look out and its raining again I get so
depressed.Yes I think it does sort of just turn into white noise
and it is just there. sad as I do care about other people and yes indeed I wish it was different. for one thing reporters can if they will report the good things that people do. if they would just do it. =
newspaper my son paid for me to have as its always bad new about
someone getting killed, raped, lost etc etc. By the time I
finish reading it and look out and its raining again I get so
depressed.Yes I think it does sort of just turn into white noise
and it is just there. sad as I do care about other people and yes indeed I wish it was different. for one thing reporters can if they will report the good things that people do. if they would just do it. =2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
7 Jan 11
I used to see my local news and they would give me both the good And the bad news of the day. But first they fired my beloved sports guy and then the best weatherman and I stopped watching. I now don't read or watch about the bad news unless it is sports related!
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
9 Jan 11
For aie hard hockey fan , I haven't seen many games this season. I'm glad you are glad. Yes I'm a Wings fan but you are my friend and I want you to be happy.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
9 Jan 11
Speaking of sports related news. The canucks lost today to the wings in a shoot out. The score was just 2-1, but it was an entertaining game. Even though we lost, I still feel good because it was with the wings, and we still earned a point.
I too would rather hear sports news, as most of it is about a winning team. Which in a way, is good news.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
6 Jan 11
Hi bounce~ I would have to agree with you on this. I also read
my news when I first turn on the computer. It sometimes has
articles on it before they even get on the "tv news". It is
just one depressing story after another as you have said. And
the same thing when my bf turns on the news at night. He watches
the "regular news channel", which is the NY, and the local States
news and any other stuff that's happening. Then he turns to the
"Local News Channel", which is news happening in "our area"
where we live, like local murders, robberies, fires, you know
the fun stuff! Then he goes to sleep! I am left to find something
entertaining after that to get my mind off the horrors that I
have just heard. Is it just me?
1 person likes this
I always knew we had alot in common! I love Craig
Ferguson too! He is so silly, but I just love to watch him!
That's what I want to see before I try to sleep!
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
9 Jan 11
Maybe that's one of the reasons why I watch the late talk shows like David Letterman's and Craig Ferguson's. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with the bad news too that I'd rather have something light before I sleep. Entertainment like the jokes these late shows dish out.
Thanks Opal.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
10 Jan 11
It is actually because of the fact that the vast majority of the news that our local channels had to show was bad news that we've stopped watching the news for the most part. It was simply stuff that lead me to a lot of depression and it doesn't do any good to listen or watch the news when there is nothing that you can do to make things better. For me, I came to this realization when I was 21 years old and the attacks on America occurred. It made me physically ill, but I knew there was nothing that I could do to remedy the situation.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
10 Jan 11
That was a terrifying time. And I hate to be in that situation again.
But thankfully, we've moved on. Even though we've all had to be vigilant. Moreso in airports and other forms of travel.
But still the news hasn't change. And like you said(wrote), the vast majority is still bad news.
It has become easy to tune it out.
@Suggar (3606)
• Bulgaria
6 Jan 11
Hello Bounce, i'm really tired, that's why i stopped checking news.
All that negativism what comes from the news can't come from somewhere else and it effects really bad on the way we live. Some people say - whatever, it doesn't happen with me, i'm not the one who suffer, but others are afraid that same can happen with them. And still there are people who can't live happy if they know that someone suffer.
News are tricking us with their bad methods and i stopped reading them. It's not like i don't have bad moments in my life, i got a lot of them, that's why i don't need more. 
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
7 Jan 11
Yes, it is all too negative. When you watch news on TV, or read the paper, or go online. It's all the same.
I know that it is real suffering that people in the news are dealing with. And although we might be far away, there is always that fear that it could also happen to us.
1 person likes this
@flagella08 (5065)
• Philippines
7 Jan 11
we share the same sentiments. i just hope that news people would categorize their news into good or bad. they should not make the bad news as headlines. this can not bring good vibes to people who consistently following the news. i was once a newspaper reader but as of now i just watch tv and if i don't like what i am seeing, i just change channel. hearing bad news is not what i need these days.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
9 Jan 11
I think you have something there. Categorizing the news between good and bad. And we task people assigned to bring the good news to make it sensationalized too. And their mandate would be to make sure that there'll be more people reading their good news, than the bad ones.
Thanks flagella08.
@deriellevc73 (982)
• Philippines
7 Jan 11
hello bounce58!
yes, sometimes i wish things are different with regards the content of the news we get to read and watch in tv everyday. Actually, i have become so immune to what goes in the news that i seldom watch television news and read the newspaper. Like you, i can feel the struggle of the people who are affected but it is just that hearing and watching bad news all the time, got on my nerves. Somehow, it just makes me gag just hearing all those bad news. It seems the world is inhabited by beasts and monsters. It would be a nice change if good deeds and good news would dominate the news we get to hear and see everyday. Truly, that is one thing i am looking forward to already!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
6 Jan 11
It is quite amazing how the news more so concentrates on bad news as oppose to highlighting the good news.
I use to listen to radio news, watch TV news and read it online as well. It made me so depressed all the time as it would always highlight all the bad. I cut back to more so watching TV news as it is importance to hear of what goes on in our surrounding.
I have learned to listen to what is going on and not allow it to affect me directly. Sure I feel the bad parts of the news reports, I just try not to research it further. I certainly will research and seek out any good parts I hear as it is more so inspiring to hear of something that still works out there today.
@aurorastorm (1131)
• United States
7 Jan 11
Hearing bad news in the past has greatly affected me at times to the point now that I cannot watch news on television at all. I can read the news but not watch it, because it just can be so depressing. There have got to be some good stories out there but they never cover the feel good stories.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
9 Jan 11
I guess sensationalism in news sell. And the bad news are the one's often sensationalized. Not so much of the feel good stories.
And I know what you mean about it being depressing. Sometimes you learn more about the people in the news and you can't help but feel for them.
Thanks.
