Mono Abstract

Having complained at length yesterday about the news, which I had on in the background as I went about my dustbusting , and having read all your comments, I of course, am still thinking about it. I don’t think one can, or should completely avoid the news unless one wants to live under a rock, but one can certainly choose the source of that news.

In this country there are conservative news channels and there are liberal ones. I listen to National Public Radio, which is supported by donations and is on the liberal side, although they do seem to make an effort to present both sides.

I can’t stand to listen to the rants of some of the more infamous conservative talk radio hosts. I can honestly say I don’t understand how some of these people can believe the hateful misinformation they spread or even if they do. Or how they sleep at night. Perhaps they are just cynical or hungry for power or money.

I daresay they probably think the same of me….things have become so polarized that it is hard to say which came first, the politics or the media, but it has become almost impossible to venture forth from one’s chosen ‘information bubble’ to even hope to see the other side.

For awhile I thought that perhaps the middle of the road network news with its respected anchors and far flung correspondents might be the answer.

But the network news has morphed from news into entertainment. A half hour national news segment, interrupted by numerous commercials for drugs that only a doctor should be in a position to understand and prescribe, has about 15 minutes left in which to present the day’s news. That’s not enough time to present anything but sensationalized headlines and out of context quotes from talking heads.

I’m showing my age here because I rely for news in the local newspaper and the New York Times. Reading the paper gives me control over what I read and what I choose not to read, but I see my good old paper news getting thinner and sparser as newsrooms compete with technology and social media.

What is morning coffee without a newspaper? And a dog at my feet waiting to lick the unfinished milk foam out of my cup?