I stopped tuning into American mainstream media 18 months ago. I am very selective on where I obtain my news and I turn off social media more often than not. I take the dogs for long walks in the desert and occasionally scream. No one cares what you do in the desert.
You aren't the only one. I'm tuning in less. I'll get the local news from the tv. Other than that? BBC. The Guardian. The Contrarian. Etc. I'm reading more trash and watching more trash. Etc. I've adjusted meds to help.
I have never been more grateful and proud of our professional and citizen journalists. We are nothing without them. We have to have this news. No I cannot take it and could not from day one but we are supposed to be an informed electorate. Thank you for using your smartphones. And all of the rest everybody. I cry every day.
CBS is the worst. Might as well get ready to rebrand as FOX, as that’s the direction they are moving in…. I tuned in 3-4 different times over the past couple days to convince myself that the negative reaction to the new guy was overblown. Nope!
Poor Katy Tur - how’d she end up with that guy anyway?
The networks are all fine for late night hosts, general tv shows and late night. The most local news and weather? Sure. Don't try to get national news from there.
I feel like I’m being sucked into quicksand everyday. I read as much as I can stomach, first thing in the morning and then try to put it aside, for as long as possible, before I see another shit storm brewing..
Last year from the election through January, I cried and was extremely depressed. My daughter suggested I get “help” or go to a gym..I’m 74 years old, had all the old lady aches and pains. Well, I opted for the gym, and I’m here to tell you it was the BEST decision I ever made. I noticed it right away. I finally stopped crying and got really really pissed…Both my mental health and physical strength have come back. I did more than a dozen protests last year and will continue on that path for as long as it takes! Strength training three days a week, walking every day, does wonders for your brain and soul! Thank you Steven!
By not disconnecting. We save ourselves by each of us stepping up, speaking out and taking action in the way that we can. Each of us will have different paths.
Through the writer and comments I feel like at last I’m in community. Not the old-fashioned community, face-to-face, but it’s better than nothing. I go out to the country where I look at the sky, the rain and the birds and the trees and feel like I can breathe. This is where it is for me. This is where I restore myself then take a deep breath and go back into the city.
Watching TV news is insanity, a repeat of everything every 20 minutes. I find much less stressful to read about what is happening on trusted sites like substack, The American Prospect, Bulwarks. Sometimes I can’t finish an article because anger wells up. I have never been so concerned about the future as I am now. I am off to a protest rally now, I hope it can make a difference.
I can identify with this experience, Truscha. Do you know the substacks of Joyce Vance, Heather Cox Richardson, Katie Couric, and for a two-minute super boost -- Jim Hightower with The Lowdown. I also greatly benefit from and enjoy Kareem Abdul-Jabaar's site and IMO (Michelle Obama): in these experiences, I'm learning perspectives I've rarely had to consider. The first four sites address facets of legal, historical, vetted journalistic, societal and psychological, and wry common-sense: Stephen contributes his knowledge and truth, heart-felt compassion, anger/indignation, and support. (Thank you for all of that! and thank you, too, for this space..) But I am realizing: as an aging person, I now look white - not so during the summer when I younger. But I believe most of us who are responding on this substack and the others I listed (with the exception of Kareem and Michelle's) are "white": we're not used to being treated as second-class citizens: we are not only accustomed to being treated with respect, we expect it and often we extend it to others. I don't believe Renee Cook saw her attack, her murder coming.. Most of us didn't know to see "Project 2025" coming -- even when warned, but we're here now and the majority of the Senate and the Supreme Court is marching in step with it. I've been wrong a number of times in life -- but I wonder if D.Trump's goals aren't different from those of Project 2025? He's been useful in its introduction but I wonder about this.. Your thoughts?
Actually, I would now edit the above if I could: it's been a long day, a long year already -- and I haven't held in mind all of the things that have happened under dT's watch. I guess that's in part how I've dealt with this, in part: denial. My apologies.
First of all, I wish I could afford to upgrade but I just can’t do it. I hope you will understand. I belong to Alcoholics Anonymous and I first of all take in all the feelings I have about what is happening-I resonate mostly (right now) with the children who lost their mother because my children lost their father when my youngest was barely 5. It hurt me of course, but then I had to be there for them. 4 of THEMS!! I’m wondering who is there for them. It brought everything back. So I feel the feelings ( about 3-4 days) and after that there’s another incident and another and another and because I try to live only for one day at a time I am able to set them all apart. It works most times. But the hard part is being soooo angry at trump and when that overtakes me I back off from any news for as long as I feel I need to. Sometimes it’s a week sometimes less or more. I know there is nothing I can do besides call my representatives and vote. Sometimes I make calls like this time I probably will because it’s important to win the senate in November. But there’s never a guarantee and between that fact ( because I have no control) and my frustration with congress having no interest in constituents—only the orange “leader” (again, no control) I have to try to not worry and hand it all over to my higher power. Most of the time this works but since I have discovered I am NOT in control of a damn thing besides myself it doesn’t ALL of the time. So I live with powerlessness, frustration, the unknown and above all taking care of only me!!!
Hang in there, Carol. I sure know what it's like to feel hopeless and powerless. But your every call, your every vote, adds to the growing throng of calls and votes that can, either now or soon, make a difference. You were there for your kids; now you need to be there for yourself. Please just know that you're not alone. There is community here. Take care.
Anger and fear are only useful if you need adrenaline for the very short term. If the problem lasts longer than 10 minutes, it just burns up one's strength.
That's a reason that non-violent resistance is much more effective than violent action. Those who do wrong use violence thinking that protests will go away if people are afraid. But the violence of the oppressed only validates the violence of those who do wrong; it absolves them of guilt and makes them feel good.
But if the oppressed are non-violent, then the oppressors know they are guilty--it makes them at some level afraid--and, as we saw with the verbal violence hurled at Renee Good as she died, angry. Their anger burns up their strength.
I quit watching TV news years ago. I cancelled my NYT and WAPO subscriptions during the last presidential campaign. I read a number of Substack writers in addition to you: Aaron Rupar, Mary Geddry, Sherrilyn Ifill, Paul Krugman, for example. I stop reading any news at all for a few days when I get too overwhelmed.
I stopped watching mainstream news this past year - no ABC, NBC, CBS. I only watch PBS. The year was heavy. But this first week was absolutely nuts. I deleted all my apps except Substack. I watch funny tv shows ( Frasier and Columbo are great reruns) and movies. I’ve picked up 7 books from my local library. I thank all of you disciplined writers who keep us informed. Please don’t take it personally if I don’t read every newsletter.
I love BritBox English murder mysteries! There's almost no violence and no guns! Also they can make the story line so complicated that I can't figure it out until the very end!!
I love BritBox too! I’m a bit of an Anglophile. It seems that the only shows on American television are game shows, reality crap, and “Who’s Going To Be A Winner”. I especially love All Creatures Great and Small. I absolutely love that Yorkshire countryside.
Cheers Barbara, want a new bestie? I find myself turning to British and (sometimes) Aussie/NZ detective shows. They’re written so much more character focused than the drivel our networks usually churn out. And detective shows are so comforting in a time like this … I tell my friends: they’re logical, the bad guy gets caught, and usually include strong and intelligent women. What’s not to love? It feels increasingly like we are living in a bizzaro world, where up is down, war is peace, and Nazis run the government. I just want to wake up from this nightmare.
I try to keep what Michael and others counsel to heart: namely, don’t disengage entirely and don’t give up hope. Certainly there are small signs of progress; small pockets of hope. But as the dangerous menace at 1600 grows more unhinged, I worry more about the looming showdown between his goons and our safety. I worry and feel bad for the youngsters - the 20 and 30 somethings that haven’t lived life yet. I wish we could promise them a brighter future.
Be well, and if you or Michael or anyone wants to chat about their favorite British detective shows… well, I’ll send you my list of top 25 if you send me yours (yes, I really have one !)
Thank You Steven...Yes this is a marathon not a sprint. God help me ,I am not sure I can make it . I will keep on keeping on . I watch specific programs . I subscribe to a number of substacks i used to be a political junkie. Now nope .. I cannot hear Trumps voice or anyone in his cabinet. I have to hit mute . I can hardly read anything through as it makes me sick. My anger and sadness is bottomless. I want to see the democrats start screaming from the rafters. It's a sure bet that if this was us doing this the Republicans would be going to Washington with pitch forks and fire. I want Schumer to step down. This idea that it's about the prices may be true, but so is destroying our democracy . People need to be informed. We need a rally of 50 million people . I think that would put a scare into them. More then anything we need a safe and fair election in October .. lost in america
I've unsubscribed to any media outlet that capitulates to the felon, and donate to two PBS stations, both radio and television. I also subscribe to many Substack writers. I've been a Democratic committee person in my precinct since the felon's first undeserved and disastrous term.
It is a lot and can feel overwhelming at times especially during weeks like this, but it is so important to be aware of what is occurring. I know the fascist plan is to wear us down. I refuse to let that happen and so I'll keep on keeping on.
I greatly appreciate your work in keeping us informed and motivated. Your work is essential in our path to regaining our humanity as a nation. It's going to take a while.
I have always been blessed with the ability to compartmentalize.
It has served me well as I juggled work & family & my devotion to presenting accurate news in an era of willful cowardice & misconduct by Corporate Media
I stopped watching all MSM save Rachel Maddow years ago once I learned over 90% were owned by only a few GOP/RW billionaire bastards ( See Murdoch, Bezos & now the Ellisons).
My best therapy?
Laughter
& as the best "journalists" on TV today are comedians like Colbert, Kimmel, Meyers, Stewart et al. I know I will be informed & LMAO at the same time
It has been such a struggle so far this year to stay informed while trying to remain mentally healthy. I’ve completely cut out cable news (except for an occasional check in on MS Now), completely eliminated any CBS “news” programming, subscribed to and supported a few independent voices, and kept an eye on social media (which remains the biggest threat to my mental health but also allows me to quickly understand what news is “breaking” at the moment. It’s been tough!
As for the number of pieces you put out - my thought is keep doing what you want to - if someone feels overload, they can just skip that edition. for me personally, I just don't have the time to listen to the videos. Several substacks I subscribe to do the interviews and such, and it would take me hours to listen to them. I read faster - so I read.
For handling the news - I draw a sharp line between the stuff (and my actions) that I can control and those I can't. Quite simply, I don't spend time worrying about what Hegseth does or says. Me getting in a stew or raising my blood pressure won't change that. But I can write a letter to the editor -- saying what's wrong, and maybe influencing others. And I can work on GOTV.
I stopped tuning into American mainstream media 18 months ago. I am very selective on where I obtain my news and I turn off social media more often than not. I take the dogs for long walks in the desert and occasionally scream. No one cares what you do in the desert.
You aren't the only one. I'm tuning in less. I'll get the local news from the tv. Other than that? BBC. The Guardian. The Contrarian. Etc. I'm reading more trash and watching more trash. Etc. I've adjusted meds to help.
After the shooting, I started binge watching Lord of the rings. We all know the good guys win in that story.
This America becomes a desert, Hope, when you turn off reality. Tyrants must be hogtied from Day #1… by ALL free peoples.
I don’t ignore reality, I just choose to get my information from reliable sources.
I have never been more grateful and proud of our professional and citizen journalists. We are nothing without them. We have to have this news. No I cannot take it and could not from day one but we are supposed to be an informed electorate. Thank you for using your smartphones. And all of the rest everybody. I cry every day.
I cry everyday too. For my kids, my grandkids & everyone.
A little, just a little easier now that I have taken CBS and ABC off the table.
CBS is the worst. Might as well get ready to rebrand as FOX, as that’s the direction they are moving in…. I tuned in 3-4 different times over the past couple days to convince myself that the negative reaction to the new guy was overblown. Nope!
Poor Katy Tur - how’d she end up with that guy anyway?
She is one of them!
The networks are all fine for late night hosts, general tv shows and late night. The most local news and weather? Sure. Don't try to get national news from there.
Yes, the only network shows I watch are the YouTUbes of the 3 big late night shows which is all as much levity on current events as is possible now.
I feel like I’m being sucked into quicksand everyday. I read as much as I can stomach, first thing in the morning and then try to put it aside, for as long as possible, before I see another shit storm brewing..
Last year from the election through January, I cried and was extremely depressed. My daughter suggested I get “help” or go to a gym..I’m 74 years old, had all the old lady aches and pains. Well, I opted for the gym, and I’m here to tell you it was the BEST decision I ever made. I noticed it right away. I finally stopped crying and got really really pissed…Both my mental health and physical strength have come back. I did more than a dozen protests last year and will continue on that path for as long as it takes! Strength training three days a week, walking every day, does wonders for your brain and soul! Thank you Steven!
By not disconnecting. We save ourselves by each of us stepping up, speaking out and taking action in the way that we can. Each of us will have different paths.
https://albellenchia.substack.com/p/untethered?r=7wk5d
That's the spirit, Al.
It’s hard. But good trouble, as you know, Steve.
Through the writer and comments I feel like at last I’m in community. Not the old-fashioned community, face-to-face, but it’s better than nothing. I go out to the country where I look at the sky, the rain and the birds and the trees and feel like I can breathe. This is where it is for me. This is where I restore myself then take a deep breath and go back into the city.
Watching TV news is insanity, a repeat of everything every 20 minutes. I find much less stressful to read about what is happening on trusted sites like substack, The American Prospect, Bulwarks. Sometimes I can’t finish an article because anger wells up. I have never been so concerned about the future as I am now. I am off to a protest rally now, I hope it can make a difference.
I can identify with this experience, Truscha. Do you know the substacks of Joyce Vance, Heather Cox Richardson, Katie Couric, and for a two-minute super boost -- Jim Hightower with The Lowdown. I also greatly benefit from and enjoy Kareem Abdul-Jabaar's site and IMO (Michelle Obama): in these experiences, I'm learning perspectives I've rarely had to consider. The first four sites address facets of legal, historical, vetted journalistic, societal and psychological, and wry common-sense: Stephen contributes his knowledge and truth, heart-felt compassion, anger/indignation, and support. (Thank you for all of that! and thank you, too, for this space..) But I am realizing: as an aging person, I now look white - not so during the summer when I younger. But I believe most of us who are responding on this substack and the others I listed (with the exception of Kareem and Michelle's) are "white": we're not used to being treated as second-class citizens: we are not only accustomed to being treated with respect, we expect it and often we extend it to others. I don't believe Renee Cook saw her attack, her murder coming.. Most of us didn't know to see "Project 2025" coming -- even when warned, but we're here now and the majority of the Senate and the Supreme Court is marching in step with it. I've been wrong a number of times in life -- but I wonder if D.Trump's goals aren't different from those of Project 2025? He's been useful in its introduction but I wonder about this.. Your thoughts?
Actually, I would now edit the above if I could: it's been a long day, a long year already -- and I haven't held in mind all of the things that have happened under dT's watch. I guess that's in part how I've dealt with this, in part: denial. My apologies.
First of all, I wish I could afford to upgrade but I just can’t do it. I hope you will understand. I belong to Alcoholics Anonymous and I first of all take in all the feelings I have about what is happening-I resonate mostly (right now) with the children who lost their mother because my children lost their father when my youngest was barely 5. It hurt me of course, but then I had to be there for them. 4 of THEMS!! I’m wondering who is there for them. It brought everything back. So I feel the feelings ( about 3-4 days) and after that there’s another incident and another and another and because I try to live only for one day at a time I am able to set them all apart. It works most times. But the hard part is being soooo angry at trump and when that overtakes me I back off from any news for as long as I feel I need to. Sometimes it’s a week sometimes less or more. I know there is nothing I can do besides call my representatives and vote. Sometimes I make calls like this time I probably will because it’s important to win the senate in November. But there’s never a guarantee and between that fact ( because I have no control) and my frustration with congress having no interest in constituents—only the orange “leader” (again, no control) I have to try to not worry and hand it all over to my higher power. Most of the time this works but since I have discovered I am NOT in control of a damn thing besides myself it doesn’t ALL of the time. So I live with powerlessness, frustration, the unknown and above all taking care of only me!!!
Hang in there, Carol. I sure know what it's like to feel hopeless and powerless. But your every call, your every vote, adds to the growing throng of calls and votes that can, either now or soon, make a difference. You were there for your kids; now you need to be there for yourself. Please just know that you're not alone. There is community here. Take care.
TY Beth
Anger and fear are only useful if you need adrenaline for the very short term. If the problem lasts longer than 10 minutes, it just burns up one's strength.
That's a reason that non-violent resistance is much more effective than violent action. Those who do wrong use violence thinking that protests will go away if people are afraid. But the violence of the oppressed only validates the violence of those who do wrong; it absolves them of guilt and makes them feel good.
But if the oppressed are non-violent, then the oppressors know they are guilty--it makes them at some level afraid--and, as we saw with the verbal violence hurled at Renee Good as she died, angry. Their anger burns up their strength.
I quit watching TV news years ago. I cancelled my NYT and WAPO subscriptions during the last presidential campaign. I read a number of Substack writers in addition to you: Aaron Rupar, Mary Geddry, Sherrilyn Ifill, Paul Krugman, for example. I stop reading any news at all for a few days when I get too overwhelmed.
I stopped watching mainstream news this past year - no ABC, NBC, CBS. I only watch PBS. The year was heavy. But this first week was absolutely nuts. I deleted all my apps except Substack. I watch funny tv shows ( Frasier and Columbo are great reruns) and movies. I’ve picked up 7 books from my local library. I thank all of you disciplined writers who keep us informed. Please don’t take it personally if I don’t read every newsletter.
I love BritBox English murder mysteries! There's almost no violence and no guns! Also they can make the story line so complicated that I can't figure it out until the very end!!
I love BritBox too! I’m a bit of an Anglophile. It seems that the only shows on American television are game shows, reality crap, and “Who’s Going To Be A Winner”. I especially love All Creatures Great and Small. I absolutely love that Yorkshire countryside.
Cheers Barbara, want a new bestie? I find myself turning to British and (sometimes) Aussie/NZ detective shows. They’re written so much more character focused than the drivel our networks usually churn out. And detective shows are so comforting in a time like this … I tell my friends: they’re logical, the bad guy gets caught, and usually include strong and intelligent women. What’s not to love? It feels increasingly like we are living in a bizzaro world, where up is down, war is peace, and Nazis run the government. I just want to wake up from this nightmare.
I try to keep what Michael and others counsel to heart: namely, don’t disengage entirely and don’t give up hope. Certainly there are small signs of progress; small pockets of hope. But as the dangerous menace at 1600 grows more unhinged, I worry more about the looming showdown between his goons and our safety. I worry and feel bad for the youngsters - the 20 and 30 somethings that haven’t lived life yet. I wish we could promise them a brighter future.
Be well, and if you or Michael or anyone wants to chat about their favorite British detective shows… well, I’ll send you my list of top 25 if you send me yours (yes, I really have one !)
Very important reminder which is much appreciated. Thank you, Steven!
Thank You Steven...Yes this is a marathon not a sprint. God help me ,I am not sure I can make it . I will keep on keeping on . I watch specific programs . I subscribe to a number of substacks i used to be a political junkie. Now nope .. I cannot hear Trumps voice or anyone in his cabinet. I have to hit mute . I can hardly read anything through as it makes me sick. My anger and sadness is bottomless. I want to see the democrats start screaming from the rafters. It's a sure bet that if this was us doing this the Republicans would be going to Washington with pitch forks and fire. I want Schumer to step down. This idea that it's about the prices may be true, but so is destroying our democracy . People need to be informed. We need a rally of 50 million people . I think that would put a scare into them. More then anything we need a safe and fair election in October .. lost in america
I've unsubscribed to any media outlet that capitulates to the felon, and donate to two PBS stations, both radio and television. I also subscribe to many Substack writers. I've been a Democratic committee person in my precinct since the felon's first undeserved and disastrous term.
It is a lot and can feel overwhelming at times especially during weeks like this, but it is so important to be aware of what is occurring. I know the fascist plan is to wear us down. I refuse to let that happen and so I'll keep on keeping on.
I greatly appreciate your work in keeping us informed and motivated. Your work is essential in our path to regaining our humanity as a nation. It's going to take a while.
I have always been blessed with the ability to compartmentalize.
It has served me well as I juggled work & family & my devotion to presenting accurate news in an era of willful cowardice & misconduct by Corporate Media
I stopped watching all MSM save Rachel Maddow years ago once I learned over 90% were owned by only a few GOP/RW billionaire bastards ( See Murdoch, Bezos & now the Ellisons).
My best therapy?
Laughter
& as the best "journalists" on TV today are comedians like Colbert, Kimmel, Meyers, Stewart et al. I know I will be informed & LMAO at the same time
It has been such a struggle so far this year to stay informed while trying to remain mentally healthy. I’ve completely cut out cable news (except for an occasional check in on MS Now), completely eliminated any CBS “news” programming, subscribed to and supported a few independent voices, and kept an eye on social media (which remains the biggest threat to my mental health but also allows me to quickly understand what news is “breaking” at the moment. It’s been tough!
As for the number of pieces you put out - my thought is keep doing what you want to - if someone feels overload, they can just skip that edition. for me personally, I just don't have the time to listen to the videos. Several substacks I subscribe to do the interviews and such, and it would take me hours to listen to them. I read faster - so I read.
For handling the news - I draw a sharp line between the stuff (and my actions) that I can control and those I can't. Quite simply, I don't spend time worrying about what Hegseth does or says. Me getting in a stew or raising my blood pressure won't change that. But I can write a letter to the editor -- saying what's wrong, and maybe influencing others. And I can work on GOTV.