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April 18, 2013

A Test

I have a test for you: write down your current, general feeling about America on a 3x5 card and place it in a desk drawer. Now, starting tomorrow morning, do not read a newspaper, do not watch the news on TV, and do not click on any news web sites for one full week. At the end of the week, write down your thoughts about America based only on what you saw, what you did, and what you experienced for that week without news. Then get the original card out and compare the two. My guess is that the week without news will be more positive and hopeful.

Without the news ravaging you with hyperbole and sensationalism, I'm willing to bet your opinion of people, places, and things will generally improve during that week. I bet that you will focus more on the people you meet and interact with, how things are for you (personally), and the economy of your personal area over the vast threats that Fox and MSNBC news are insisting you listen to.

Without having the Bill O'Reilly and Keith Olbermmans of the world whispering in your ear what you should think, feel, and fear, your life will seem more pleasant and your problems, should you have any, will seem easier to manage and more personally yours rather than some part of some deeper tragedy. Without having CNN and others instilling you with dread and stress over terrorism, climate change, the economy and other issues that are, frankly, too big for any one person to solve, your personal stress levels will decrease and your ability to act in your own life will increase. I think you will feel generally more positive and generally happier.

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, the news was a boring but sensible way to get the facts. News organizations had policies and procedures to verify those facts before they could print, speak, or show them. The news was not entertainment. And, I think, in that far away time and place, people were generally happier with their personal lives and more committed to their neighbors, their communities, and their families.

I think that a week without news will teach people that things aren't as bad as we are told they are, that people aren't as wicked as we are taught they are, and that you are much happier in your life than you have been lead to believe you are.

Let me know how it goes.

Update:

Slate agrees with me.

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