This weekend I had a self-imposed news blackout; I stayed off my laptop, didn't watch any television and didn't read any newspapers. Why did I do this? Because I stay on top of news in my job from Monday morning to Friday afternoon, I have to follow everything that happens in the world of social recruiting, LinkedIn, personal branding etc to be knowledgeable and credible. Every once in a while I want a breather and shut down a bit, call it a mental break if you will.
This last weekend was one of those whiles. Instead of looking at what's trending on Twitter, I went for a picnic in Hampstead with the wife. Instead of checking my RSS feeds I went to the cinema with a friend (and saw Senna by the way, great film). Instead of reading the papers on a Sunday, we had a barbecue in the back garden. I don't think anyone would argue with my choices here, we all need a break sometimes.
Norway killings and Amy Winehouse
What I did experience on the weekend was interesting. In spite of me not looking for it, news came to me. Two big news stories broke on the weekend, one was the mad gunman in Norway killing nearly a hundred people and the other was Amy Winehouse dying of a presumed overdose in Camden. I didn't pay any attention to news but these stories both found me, the first one was delivered by a friend who mentioned it on the phone. The other one was told to me over dinner on Saturday. Both stories are very tragic and obvious talking points come up from my friends. Sure, these were both big stories that probably made headlines across the globe but that's exactly the point.
Why check news constantly?
If big news stories will find me even when I have completely shut out any forms of media, what's the point in actually watching the news anymore? Why would I slavishly read the newspaper every day to be informed of updates that I will get from people anyway? Who needs to see Twitter updates every minute unless you are betting or trading on a particular outcome? The amount of time we waste watching, listening, reading news updates is not only unproductive but even stupid. Some say we have an urge to stay abreast of news out of fear of missing out. I believe the only thing you miss out on is when you get the news; if it's important it'll reach you sooner or later.
News are better told in perspective
The fact is that most stories are best told with a bit of perspective, and this perspective normally comes with time. Take the hacking scandal which made big headlines here in Britain and in many countries around the world. New revelations were being reported daily and I think even most journalists struggled to understand the whole story – a few weeks later they could sum it up in an article though.
I'll stick to the important news, not the latest
After this weekend I have realized that in my case it's better to look for the news I don't get by people in elevators anyway, such as the latest developments in my field of work. I think I have a decent system for finding the important news and information online using a few great tools. And I am looking for the information that helps me as opposed to being spoon-fed what a news desk have decided to focus on this week. So I say if you can, stay away from the constant newsfeed and focus on the important stuff in your life. And don't worry, the important news will find you regardless.
What do you think, are we obsessed with news or is it just healthy to want to stay updated?
Check out Get Free from the Tyranny of Being Current for more about staying abreast of news – or not.
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