How bad is your news addiction?

[_MeDotOrg]

After the Sessions firing resignation, I've been watching the reactions, and imagining what kind of rapid response scenarios that Mueller has developed over the past few months. With the stroke of a pen, investigations can be flung to other jurisdictions outside the reach of Donald Trump. All sorts of moves and counter-moves upon which to speculate.

As promised, this lame duck period will be full of political land mines exploding right and left. And I started thinking about how addicted I am to the process of reading and thinking about the news, and wondering how good it is for me. I imagined what it would be like to go on a spiritual retreat for the next 2 weeks. Part of me relished the idea of the serenity of 2 weeks without news, but another part of me was somewhat terrified of the idea. I then realized what a news junkie I am. I can't remember the last day where I haven't scanned the internet, television or a magazine about current events. When I am at work, my cell phone is out on my breaks or at lunch, and I'm scanning the latest headlines.

Are you the same way?

Imagine that, right now, someone would give you $XXX to not receive any current events for the next 2 weeks. Solve for $XXX. How much money would it take you to sever your contacts with all current events for the next 2 weeks?

• $1?
• $5?
• $20?
• $100?
• $XXX?

I'm trying to think of my own answer, and I'm not sure. But once I start imagining a week totally isolated from the news, going to plays or movies or reading books, it really doesn't seem like a bad thing. Not in the sense that it is good to ignore what is going on in the world. But in the sense that all of the political shenanigans are exiting all of your mental fast-twitch muscles, and those muscles need to rest every once in a while.

[_Jersey Girl]

I left the country for two weeks! Didn't watch or look for even one news report.

It was heaven!

[_MeDotOrg]

Where did you go? Is there no wifi in Shangri-la?

[_Jersey Girl]

Adding...left the country for 2 weeks and was sick for 3 weeks following so I didn't notice much of what was being reported. Currently having a rebound effect. Not the illness. The news coverage.

It's not good for our mental health, at least it is not good for my own. I ended up posting a stupid embarrassing rant today because

For the one week that I've been really well, I have intentionally limited time on the computer which is where I read or hear most of the news. But still, I can't miss it when I get on Facebook even in just the comments of my "friends" or the comments below their posts. I can't miss it when I come to this board. There's not much in Terrestrial that interests me and so I tend to float around Paradise or hang out in Prison.

I can't tolerate the negativity, insult throwing, name calling, the ongoing conflict, and that goes straight up to the Oval Office.

The worst thing for me in terms of Facebook is that some of my friends have gotten to the point where all they post is political grievances. On this board, I've noticed folks that I really, really, value and appreciate going at each other to the point where I have to turn away from it. I know guys are going to do whatever they're going to do but in spite of some of my own smart ass or sometimes aggressive posts, it bothers me more than I care to admit. I've actually said something a time or two, but mainly stayed out of it. Maybe the onslaught and constant hammering has gotten to them like it's gotten to me only they express it differently.

In terms of in real life, I tend to be a creative person. I almost always have something that I'm working on or cooking up in my head. I also go into what I call periods of creative frenzy where I produce like crazy--different things, all kinds of things. All of the conflict that I see online (Facebook, boards, news) drains me to the point where I have little to no inspiration.

I'm all for the one off insult fest and I'm no stranger to it myself. I actually like it because I think it tends to clear the slate somehow--getting it out of your gut as it were. But what I see happening is so much of "us" has become confict habituated and that's a death blow to my spirit.

So, in answer to you actual question. You wouldn't have to pay me a dime. If someone stole my computer tonight (and yes, it's addictive) I'd be far better off than I am right now.

Come and get it!

I need to put a paint brush in my hand. I've got something ready for the weekend and hopefully that'll help me disconnect and channel my energy in a different more positive direction.

I think the bottom line is that when we're leaning too heavy in a certain direction, we have to flip our own switch. Which is exactly how I think of it.

[_Jersey Girl]

Where did you go? Is there no wifi in Shangri-la?

I used my phone only to post daily photos on to Facebook, confirm reservations and call for ground transportation. Otherwise I went unplugged. I went to the UK--London and Scotland, and home to Jersey.

I wrote about it on our long running "The score so far" thread in Prison. We've got Cam's journal of his AT trip and I just posted a kind of review of the UK trip. Feel free to drop in. It's the most positive thread on this board and we've kept it that way.

And no, I didn't watch or read one news report while I was gone. Because the trip wasn't just about the going, it was also about the leaving.

;-)

[_MeDotOrg]

Sorry, but I spend most of my time in Paradise (were that it be true to its namesake!) and hadn't seen your prison posts. Sounds like a great trip.

Being a London Taxi driver is one of the most underappreciated jobs imaginable. The test for being a Taxi Driver is world renown, although with the advent of GPS it's becoming something of a lost art.

If you would like to see a fun thriller about a London Taxi Driver, I would recommend the first episode of modern adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Pink, with Benedict Cumberbatch.

As far as the tone of the board, I know what you mean. I try to attack arguments or positions, and not the people behind them. I'm not a saint, and I use sarcasm to express anger. But if you start saying that the people themselves are the problem, what hope do we have? 320 Million people are not going to agree, unless you start putting something in everyone's food ;-)

It feels a little weird welcoming you back into the forge of Xanax prescriptions, but nice to hear from you. Hadn't seen any posts from you in Paradise for a while.

[_cinepro]

I've been thinking along those same lines. I usually listen to a morning talk radio show after I get up (not overly political - Bill Handel in LA), but I've been wondering if there would be something better I could listen to at that time.