The strike may be over, but the war continues
It's been a busy few weeks...
One of the country’s longest labor strikes is just about over (pending approval of the union members), the Gaza carnage continues, the GOP presidential debate rather quickly went off the rails, and the Democrats scored some significant wins around the country.
Do you feel exhausted by it all? One study talks about news fatigue, and how it contributes to something called “mean world syndrome,” a phrase coined by American journalist George Gerbner. From Brittanica, Gerbner:
noted that television violence influenced the public’s conceptions of violence in their lives and in society, making them more fearful and helping them to develop what he called “mean world syndrome,” the belief that the world is more violent and brutal than it really is.
You see this with people who park themselves in front of a screen and consume what is actually the outlier behavior that more often attracts reporters, but are in no way a reflection of society as a whole — murders, violence. Symptoms are increased levels of fear, anxiety, and pessimism.
Sound familiar?
And now we head into the weekend. I’m planning to stay away from social media and go see a movie with a buddy. I hope you will be similar engaged. And if this is the second time you’ve received an email about this post, blame me. I’m sure I hit a wrong button yesterday, but onward, anyway.
Interesting video. I applaud you (and other true journalists), who have always put telling stories that need to be told first, despite the pressures from media corporations.
I hear you. What's happening in the Middle East is horrifying. To be immersed in horrifying when I have no power to do anything about it is a terrible place to be. Sometimes you need a break for your own mental health. Coincidentally, I just went to see the Taylor Swift movie last night with friends. I'm not a Swifty, but it was entertaining. I only know some of her music. She's a great singer, however, the production & choreography aspect was over the top!
Over the last month, I've balanced horrible news with the totally mindless, but admittedly somewhat entertaining series, "Marriage at First Sight". Don't judge me! 😊 (I'm also watching a documentary on Gaza.)
What movie are you seeing? I'd like to see "Killers of the Flower Moon", though the length of it gives me slight pause.
Perception rules for most people, usually based on what they hear, not what they see and it’s not just international and national news that shapes those perceptions. I live in a diverse, poor town. It’s generally quiet and what crime there is, is overwhelmingly non-violent or victimless. Yet I know people who grew up here who have not set foot in our little downtown for decades. Liberals and rednecks alike who live in the white flight towns that surround us, jabber on about how it’s not safe to be here after dark which is complete nonsense. We’re at the civic center in Hartford several times a year. We park on the south side of Bushnell Park to avoid the crush and walk through the well lit park from and back to our car. When we tell people this they look at us like we have a death wish. I honestly don’t know how some people get out of their house.
As for this weekend, we’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. Dylan tonight, Molly Tuttle tomorrow night. There’s nothing like live music and after reading Jac’s comment, I’m kind of interested in seeing Taylor Swift’s movie given the phenoma of it all. But I think I’ll wait until we can stream it though because, speaking of perceptions, a guy my age sitting in a theater watching it seems kind of creepy.