Written by: October 23, 2022
Prioritize your self-care. Learn the 3 proven steps to avoid sensationalized news.
A System For
Avoiding Sensationalized News
Product
N/A
Price
Free
Principle-First
Preface: I want to see you achieve your dreams. To that end, we'll sometimes need to discuss harsh truths. Here we go…
Zoom out:
News outlets make money by monetizing your attention.
They do this by selling ads.
More attention = more ad revenue.
Unfortunately, negative headlines are 30% more effective at grabbing your attention than positive ones.
It's a 24/7 machine that makes every problem YOUR problem.
Good for business, bad for us.
INTRODUCING THE SYSTEM
Today, I'll share 3 tips for staying informed WITHOUT sacrificing your mental health.
SUPERHUMAN SCORING
In every edition of All Systems Go, I assess the featured product across four superhuman dimensions: impact, setup, maintenance, and aesthetics.
Unlike your typical product review, I focus on factors that influence personal growth. Get to know the evaluation system.
Impact (9.5/10)
Realize that:
1) Emotional management is vital for a productive life.
2) Author Cal Newport says the MOST successful people of the future will be those who can achieve deep work.
In other words, people sabotage their mental health and potential by constantly reacting to the news.
Now the 3 tips…
Setup (8.0/10)
1. Batch News Consumption
Consider batching news on a weekly cadence (by scheduling it on your calendar).
You CAN be a conscientious citizen while protecting your attention during non-batching times.
I like The Economist, but there are other smart periodicals.
You'll strike the right balance between selective ignorance & keeping a hand on the pulse.
2. Choose Rationally Optimistic News
Remember when I told you negative ads are more effective than positive ones?
Find news outlets that don't exploit your psychology.
If you need a daily news download, try the Morning Brew (newsletter).
It's light and rationally optimistic.
3. Control your Feed
Disable notifications from news apps.
Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters.
Mute or unfollow high school friends that always post about politics.
Digital hygiene (like this) is self-care.
Maintenance (7.5/10)
Sensationalized news is like a weed. You'll continually need to prune your garden—by unsubscribing, blocking, etc.
It won't be easy. But it will be worth it.
Aesthetics (10.0/10)
Today's system is all about addition through subtraction.
Less distraction means more space to be present and create your best life (for yourself and those you love).
Author Ryan Holiday put it well:
“Which will help your children more—your insight into happiness and meaning, or that you followed breaking political news every day for thirty years?”
BRINGING IT HOME
The TL;DR of avoiding the news for self-care:
- Batch news consumption
- Choose rationally optimistic outlets
- Control your feed
You're allowed to NOT have your attention monetized.
All systems go,
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Resources
- Newsletter Archive: Read past issues of All Systems Go
- Energy Dashboard: Get an under-the-hood look at my self-tracking metrics for energy management (updated weekly)
- [Quick Win] Phone Charger Challenge: Save 60 hours every year with this simple morning hack
