What’s that meme about one’s sense of peace being proportional to how much news one consumes? Alas, blissful ignorance almost buys into the scenario that human existence is only pain, suffering and dread with brief moments of silence, therefore ignoring all of it is the only “solution.” These past few weeks would seem to bare that out. 

But I’m not one to promote that strategy toward dealing with these difficult times. In part what feels like an onslaught of bad news is because we are that much more connected than we have been in the past. Technology is a force multiplier and the delusional idiot is no longer limited to shouting at pigeons in the park but he’s all up in everyone’s social media feeds. And it now longer takes the bankroll of a nation-state for some nut-job to cause casualties in the hundreds. But that is the price for having instant communication and almost no guardrails against its usage. All the more I find that I need to take a step back and remind myself that the whole world is not on fire and that there are more “good” humans than maniacs in the world and that we need to foster the good and find ways to mitigate the others, if they can be helped. 

These last few weeks I’ve found myself on the verge of tears at the news reports but that’s actually a good sign that I still care and still hope for something better for all of us. To that end I want to share where I get my news from and I want to encourage you to share your news sources in the comments and on your own social media feeds. I don’t listen to news radio or watch TV news, but get all of my information via podcasts (and I used the Downcast  podcast app, sorry Mac/iOS only). Here are my news sources:

• Apple News Today, daily general news (not just Apple stuff), their blurb: Join Shumita Basu every weekday morning as she guides you through some of the most fascinating stories in the news — and how the world’s best journalists are covering them. https://www.apple.com/apple-news/ 
• City Cast Las Vegas, daily news focused on Las Vegas and surrounding communities, Their blurb: City Cast Las Vegas is a daily podcast and newsletter created by and for locals (and locals-at-heart) that’ll challenge the easy narratives about our city … and, okay, maybe confirm a few of them, too. https://lasvegas.citycast.fm/ 
• The Daily, daily news podcast from the New York Times, their blurb: This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m. https://www.nytimes.com/the-daily 
• Fresh Air, daily interview show from NPR/Philadelphia, their blurb: Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio’s most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today’s biggest luminaries. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444908/fresh-air 
• IndyMatters, weekly news podcast from the Nevada Independent, their blurb: IndyMatters is a weekly podcast from The Nevada Independent. Every week hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis will bring you stories from around the Silver State that focus on politics, policy, education, the environment and more.. https://thenevadaindependent.com/ 
• Short Wave, NPR’s daily science podcast, their blurb: New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes. It’s science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong, Aaron Scott and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510351/short-wave 
• Up First, NPR’s daily news podcast, their blurb: NPR’s Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays by 6 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays by 8 a.m. ET, with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, hear a longer exploration behind the headlines with Ayesha Rascoe on “The Sunday Story,” available by 8 a.m. ET. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first 

These are the daily trusted voices that I listen to for my general news coverage. I get the national stories and some well presented local info. I also listen to several more tech related and deeper dive history related podcasts. It’s important to remember that social media in general is not there to help you be a better informed or better connected human being. Today’s social media is there to keep you in their bubble, to sell you stuff and to sell your interests to third parties who want to sell you stuff. That we are able to feel a bit connected to our high school acquaintances and scattered relatives is a bit miraculous considering all of the noise, advertising and catastrophizing promoted by these services. 

Our world is facing incredible challenges, as it always has, it’s just that they are being poured out into our phones and home and lives. And it’s up to us to not shut down and give up or to sacrifice our sanity to the algorithms wanting to drive us crazy, but to use the information and connections to be our best selves and help those whom we can and where we can. Living in a better world is not a pipe dream if we want it to not be a pipe dream. Happy weekend, y’all. Xo

Sources:

• Imagine | John Lennon | funk cover ft. India Carney/Scary Pockets (2020-06-22), https://youtu.be/rs70ff_9BWc?si=j_cMrXRdQ2uL95mW 
• Downcast Podcasting app, Mac/iOS only, https://downcast.fm