Oliver Burkeman, a renowned writer for the UK Guardian, proposes a simple yet effective solution in one of his recent columns. He suggests a hack that allows individuals to acquire the necessary facts and analysis without 'succumbing to a panic attack'.
By following this approach, individuals can strike a balance between staying informed and preserving their mental well-being.
Time is the best test of importance
Burkeman introduces the idea that the overwhelming amount of news in today's world makes it difficult to discern what is truly important from what is just noise. He highlights the challenge of distinguishing between developments that are worth worrying about in the long run and those that are simply momentarily alarming.
This dilemma leads to what he calls "headline anxiety," where individuals are left unsure of which news items will actually have a lasting impact.
The author suggests that one way news organizations used to address this issue was by allowing time to pass before deciding to publish a story. This approach allowed for a natural filtering process, where only the most significant and relevant stories would stand the test of time.
However, with the fast-paced nature of social media and cable news today, this luxury of time is no longer available. As a result, media companies are forced to report on news quickly, without the benefit of hindsight to determine its true importance.
Burkeman emphasises the importance of time as a tool for separating the meaningful from the trivial in the news cycle. The inability to wait and see how events unfold before reporting on them has contributed to the overwhelming amount of information that bombards individuals on a daily basis.
By recognizing the value of time in assessing the importance of news, we can better navigate the constant stream of information and focus on what truly matters in the long term.
The perfect solution
According to Burkeman, there's a simple solution: delaying the consumption of news by a day or three.
Now, how can you practically achieve that? Well, it's really up to you, but Burkeman suggests a strategy of browsing the web promiscuously and saving numerous articles in a "read later" app like Evernote or your browser's bookmarks.
By the time you actually read them, the filter of time will have worked its magic, and only a few articles will truly stand out as compelling.
The beauty of this approach lies in finding a balance between burying your head in the sand and becoming consumed by every momentary twist in a story. You don't have to give up your curiosity or your usual morning news browse. All you need to do is delay reading the articles you bookmark for a day or two, or even just a few hours.
This simple act can automatically provide you with a perspective that reduces anxiety and allows you to approach the news with a clearer mind.
Source here
Discussion questions:
Take these questions as a starting point to create an engaging dialogue with your tutor. Don't hesitate to explore other topics if something intriguing pops up during the conversation.
- Can you summarise the article using your own words?
- Do you ever feel like there's just too much news to keep up with every morning?
- What's the tip that Burkeman recommends for dealing with information overload?
- How aware are you of the information you consume on a daily basis? Share your thoughts!
WRAP-UP
Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.
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