[J.R. Thomson]

I consider myself a news junkie, and as an experiment am attempting to do a media blackout for as long as possible.

I've gone a week so far and it is very tough!  I'm using Stumbleupon as substitute for my news fix... and KindleBoards of course.

What I wonder is what is it, that makes the news so addictive?  For the most part, news is toxic.  So why do people get so addicted?

 

[JimC1946]

I was a news junkie until the news got so depressing that I couldn't stand it. 

 

[crebel]

*raises hand*  I am a confirmed news junkie...

I like to thing it is because I want to stay informed, but often it is pure entertainment to listen or read the same news story from different sources.  I believe there is very little "pure", unbiased news reporting out there in print, radio, digital, or on cable - they all have their own slant.  I try to listen to or read various sources so I can come to an informed opinion of my own.

I did have a news overload during the last U.S. political season (mostly because I couldn't stand to hear or read another political ad), and I refused to watch any television except the Food Network for a week or so.

 

[Pawz4me]

*Raises my hand, too.*

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing TV is good for is news.  I never watch any regular programming.

(Edited to add -- Not that TV is my favorite or only source of news.  I'm an equal opportunity news consumer.)

 

[vindicativevisage]

My default channels are CNN and Fox News. I can sit for hours, watching the news, and someone comes up to me and goes, "Are you ok?" I must look really dazed or something.

 

[NogDog]

I'm the opposite: I watch as little news as possible. Between how depressing much of it is and how much is selected to be broadcast based on ratings appeal versus my actual need to know, personally I generally find it a waste of my time. Instead I just keep a watch on headlines from a few web sources to see if anything is happening that I actually want/need to know about it, at which point I might turn on the news to get more info.

 

[Christopher Hunter]

Very much a news junkie here. And it doesn't help working for a company dedicated to providing news. I guess the appeal is news is a story that's constantly writing itself. It records real life, and real life is organic and unpredictable. We just never know what this world will throw at us. Some people, if not most people, are just wired to find this exciting. Admittedly, I'm one of them.

 

[The Hooded Claw]

I am a news junkie.  It was interesting when I took a river trip on the Mekong during the height of election season last Fall.  For over a week, no newspapers and only one brief session on the Internet when we anchored near a hotel and I could get onto their wifi for half an hour before bed!  I missed most of the Presidential debates....hmmm, maybe I can get back on that boat!

 

[J.R. Thomson]

I think there must be some type of chemical addictive nature to the news. Perhaps keeping up with the latest news stories releases dopamine ... and to keep your
brain happy you must keep refreshing your favorite news sites?

Also, has anyone ever noticed how old news is NOT interesting at all? I think there's also a desire to be the first to know about the latest news. Perhaps it makes people feel smarter and superior to others?

On a side note...

If you want to get a brand new perspective on the circus going on in the media, I highly recommend the No Agenda Show. I guarantee you'll never look at the news the same way.

Check it out if when you get a chance:

http://www.noagendashow.com

 

[spotsmom]

I have a husband who is totally addicted to political news.  I was hoping it would change after the election, but it seems there's always something that the 24/7 news channels have to beat to death.  It causes me a lot of stress to have to listen to all the negativity and ranting and raving, and unfortunately with the size of our house I can't get away from it.  He watches this stuff for HOURS every day.

I also think that the 24/7 nature of news and far-end-of-the-spectrum channels has contributed mightily to the unfortunate polarization of American people.  I have never in my life seen such rank disdain for opposing opinions and the spread of stuff that really isn't true.

Sorry, but tv news is my #1 hot button...

 

[Meemo]

I have a husband who is totally addicted to political news. I was hoping it would change after the election, but it seems there's always something that the 24/7 news channels have to beat to death. It causes me a lot of stress to have to listen to all the negativity and ranting and raving, and unfortunately with the size of our house I can't get away from it. He watches this stuff for HOURS every day.

I also think that the 24/7 nature of news and far-end-of-the-spectrum channels has contributed mightily to the unfortunate polarization of American people. I have never in my life seen such rank disdain for opposing opinions and the spread of stuff that really isn't true.

Sorry, but tv news is my #1 hot button...

I'm with you, my husband is the news junkie in the house (and the car radio) - personally, I've said for a long time that 24-hour news is the bane of our existence and if we fall apart, it'll be one of the reasons. I miss the good old days - when there was 1/2 hr of local new and 1/2 hr of national news on TV in the evening. Darn you, Ted Turner....

 

[J.R. Thomson]

 

[Kay Bratt]

When I was working outside the home, I was the office news junkie. Each day I updated everyone around me as to the weather, politics, and any gruesome accidents or murders in our area.

I'm sure they are glad to be rid of me.

And now, I very rarely watch the news. Maybe I was doing it to find a niche? Fit in?



Okay...now I need a therapy couch.

 

[balaspa]

I just always want to know what's going on.  I can't help it.  It also helps fuel my imagination.  I could do with less of the celebrity stuff.  I could care less if Angelina Jolie went to lunch at some restaurant somewhere.

 

[Cindy416]

I'm definitely a news junkie. I want to be as informed as possible.

 

[kindlequeen]

I would like to be informed but sometimes I feel that ignorance is bliss - our news is always talking about some new murder!  It's downright depressing and makes me scared to leave my house.  (Note: I do live in a highly populated area with a huge class separation, very high cost of living, and lots of desperation in times like these.)

My FIL is insane about the news!  You could be in the middle of a conversation with him but once 5 o'clock rolls around, he will tell you the news is on and hang up the phone.  You can't talk to him or even have dinner with him between 5 and 7 when the evening news is on.  He starts watching news programs starting at 9am and up to 11pm when he goes to bed.  I think we're lucky that he doesn't have cable, with all the 24/7 stuff out there, we'd never hear from him again!

 

[Ruth Harris]

Kindlequeen—lol...my friend's MIL was a Wheel of Fortune junkie. She refused to go out/answer the phone/converse when WOF was on! The woman was addicted!

My Dad was a news junkie & I take after him. I lap up all kinds of news—international, US, crime, financial, science, psychology, fashion, food, sports, trends, lifestyle—you name it, I'm interested (at least for a while).

Actually, I call myself an infoslut. IMO it's necessary for an author. How can you write about anything (including people) in an interesting & engaging way if you don't know beans?