Drop Politics And Media
This is a condensed revised version of a blog I wrote 2 years ago.
Stop paying so much attention to politics and the media — the sheer volume of information is overwhelming for any human mind. We are constantly bombarded with negative news. The good news? You have control over this. I read The Media Myth Makers by Robert Glassier back in college, and it had a significant impact on me. I was shocked by the examples of news taken out of context, often due to lack of research and a tendency toward sensationalism.
Drop politics and media. Smell the flowers in your life.
Make your life a rose that speaks silently in the language of fragrance.
Historically, humans spent time in nature and formed meaningful connections and communities. Life was full of real, tangible problems — potential attacks from rival tribes, the need to prepare for unpredictable weather that could ruin crops. Exercise, relationships, reading, and learning were essential. Life expectancy was shorter, and survival was challenging, with war, famine, disease, and wild animals as constant threats. We developed tools and survival mechanisms to endure, which created strong bonds and hope among people. One of humanity’s greatest strengths is our ability to form communities and innovate together. But technology has made us too comfortable, and this comfort can be deceptive.
Our innate tribal nature remains. During the pandemic, isolation from our “tribe” led many to self-reflect excessively, disrupting our sense of purpose. Some turned to self-help and personal growth, while others numbed themselves with alcohol and streaming services. This created an intellectual divide, with many seeking purpose through hobbies like cooking and online yoga. On the other hand, some became deeply immersed in news and politics, allowing it to infiltrate their minds like weeds in a garden, impairing their ability to think clearly.
We all need purpose. With limited hours in a day to work, achieve goals, and be with family, the cost of political obsession is high. The opportunity cost includes lost time that could be spent on hobbies, the toll on mental health, and time wasted on anger. What benefit does consuming endless political content provide? I often say that certain news outlets, like Fox News or CNN follows the same model as professional wrestling — designed to provoke and entertain, not to inform. Car crashes, fear, and drama sells advertising slots.
People often tell me, “Well, it’s important to stay informed so things don’t descend into chaos.” Yes, there’s some truth in that, but it’s about moderation. You don’t need to watch the news all day to stay informed. Is it worth ruining relationships and constantly being angry? Trust that our democratic institutions have safeguards (we have an impeccable legal system with checks and balances). We aren’t taught to set boundaries on media consumption, just like no one suggests eating 20 burgers a day even though you could cheaply and easily. In the past, obtaining food required significant effort, this created a nature guardrail between effort and reward, curbing over indulgence due to scarcity. Now, with cheap food readily available, only minimal effort is needed to consume an unlimited supply, and the same goes for media.
Boundaries on media consumption are essential. Just because media is more accessible than ever doesn’t mean we should consume it all. Consider the adverse effects on your brain and how it impacts relationships and well-being. Why indulge in something that has negative effects? How does being constantly “in the know” benefit you? It’s important to engage with news thoughtfully and selectively, vetting sources and focusing on what’s useful. Endless hours behind the screen of media only hardens a delusion sense of the world and causes an individual to shout down their friends at the first instance of disagreement. Ask yourself…is that really worth it? You spend years cultivating relationships and connections to burn it all over your indulgence in fear based reality? Consider the alternative, if all the media junk you consume was true, wouldn’t it be wiser to band together as people with love, kindness, compassion, and empathy. Hasn’t anyone realized all the art, music, history, and stories shown this to be true? What makes now any different?
I don’t participate in endless debates on social media or news channels — it’s a waste of time and only adds to anger. In The Social Organism by Michael Casey, it’s explained that our brain’s pathways change due to the fight-or-flight response. Constant negative news releases adrenaline, triggering anger and building habitual responses to negative stimuli. As observed in research, the brain adapts to process negative information faster, perpetuating a cycle of anger and anxiety.
This cycle fuels conspiracy thinking. People drawn to conspiracies often use circular reasoning — when evidence against their beliefs is presented, it only strengthens their convictions. Psychologists link this behavior to narcissism, where a person clings to false beliefs to feel superior or in control. The influence of former President Donald Trump amplified this trend; by calling any opposition a hoax, he encouraged followers to dismiss facts and embrace shadowy theories.
Social media and politically charged websites don’t just make us angry — they make us feel surrounded by others’ anger. This triggers a survival instinct, shifting our attention to seek out perceived dangers, making it difficult to focus on slower, more meaningful activities like reading or spending time with family.
How can we solve pressing global issues if our attention spans and capacity for nuanced thinking are diminished? The internet’s divisive debates, like the viral “The Dress” controversy in 2015, illustrating how easily polarization occurs. Neuroscientists attributed the differing perceptions of the dress to how the brain processes color. It’s a harmless example, but it reflects how we argue over differing perspectives, when we see and feel the same outcome and emotion.
Polarization isn’t new, but social media amplifies it. Jonathan Haidt’s The Righteous Mind explains that polarization increased after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when the political landscape realigned. Before that, both parties contained both liberals and conservatives, enabling bipartisan cooperation. But once the parties became ideologically pure, cooperation dwindled.
If you want to get involved in politics, do so as a clear thinker: research thoroughly, build well-reasoned proposals, and engage positively with public officials. Rally support with rational arguments and keep your emotions in check.
Beyond that, enjoy life. Read, spend time outdoors, travel, and make new friends. Reflect on how many hours you’ve wasted on politics, and make a change. Prioritize your mental health and well-being.
