Comments on: News, off!

By: Thomas W.

Thomas W. — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:47:31 +0000

The news here in Denmark are just as bizarre, it’s all about mindless entertainment and money. Here’s something positive for you to watch for a change: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q

By: Mike (tfb)

Mike (tfb) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:34:22 +0000

Seeria: News is the new smoking…?! :)

By: deborah

deborah — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:11:26 +0000

Oh my, can I relate. I tried a news “fast” a few years back and it felt so good, I kept it until this September (at which time I too became an Obama/Palin/economic crisis junkie). I have turned news on a few times since…just to see… but I think I may be done now. Thanks for the timely post.

I’m really worried about the loss of open-pollinated varieties and try to support seed companies like Seed Savers and JL Hudson who are fighting the good fight. I started collecting a few of my own seeds a few years back (mostly edible flowers and herb seeds). But I don’t have the space required to separate vegie varieties in order to avoid cross pollination and keep the seed true.

Nice blog!

By: Yabanjin

Yabanjin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:10:01 +0000

Right on (off, actually)!
I too had made a clean break until the US election heated up. I am done with it now and quit cold turkey again! I do admit I check the news on the internet for 5 minutes a day. The key for me is making it quick and resisting the temptation to dig into the “interesting”articles that actually turn into “Time Thieves”. Also, this way lets you limit the horror overdose that some news shows strive for. Now I have all the more time to hoe weeds!

By: ang

ang — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:05:04 +0000

I have never bought a tv. When I was young, I was given a couple television sets for people thought I was to broke to buy one. I sat them in the garage hoping one day to turn them into fish tanks. It never happened.

I’m surprised how the news media has infiltrated the internet allowing my mind to be exposed to the atrocities of the planet or one another. It is a shame goodness does’nt spread as fast as evil.

By: Seeria

Seeria — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:35:36 +0000

I quit watching and reading the news a decade ago, so when my new partner came to live with me he watched for about two days before I insisted that crud never be turned on again. Bad stuff.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:19:55 +0000

I’m a business news addict, I even turn up the volume and open up the window so I can listen well I’m tending to the veggie patch in the summer. I need help I think :-)

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:09:18 +0000

Your post is so timely, Mike! Roddy and I haven’t had a TV since we left Lindsay – and even there we only had 2 channels. Our quality of life has definitely improved. Like your other readers I choose my news: and make visits to The Guardian online, read sparse articles from the Globe and news bites from colleagues, and listen to BBC Radio 4.

But recently I’ve also been paying closer attention to my unusual suspects, and last week was a depressing slog. Until then, I’d been successfully filtering negative news – not an easy task working in the field of climate change. I guess our focus on solutions at DSF, and my positively spun outreach work kept me upbeat.

I’m over my slump and mourning for the planet (for now). But I’m not going to stoke the blues with disheartening media.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:46:34 +0000

yay! (it’s about time you came to your senses!)

By: MFL

MFL — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:00:44 +0000

No TV/Low TV should definitely be the way to go for us gardeners, farmers, and anyone who cares about having a genuine life experience. Wife and I cut the cord on all TV about 9 years ago. The benefits have been immeasurable. Still have the DVD player and a Netflix account, and the web keeps me up to date on what’s happening in the world (and on the tiny farm). This way I CHOOSE when and why to be freaked out by the state of things! Can’t imagine raising our 3 year old with the commercials, violence, etc. of the ever-present tube!