New York City residents are quitting news addiction post-election. Will they succeed in staying away?
In the aftermath of the recent presidential election, many left-leaning New Yorkers have expressed a desire to disengage from the news cycle. The overwhelming prospect of a potential second Trump administration has left them feeling drained, exhausted, and ready to disconnect from the constant barrage of information. These individuals, who were once avid consumers of political news across various digital platforms, are now questioning the impact of their news consumption on their mental well-being. They are considering whether staying informed is truly a civic duty or if it has become a harmful addiction.
Some have opted to limit their news intake by switching to traditional print newspapers and setting specific times for reading, in an effort to avoid being consumed by the never-ending stream of updates and alerts. However, in a city like New York, where knowledge is often equated with power and status, it may be challenging for individuals to completely detach themselves from the news cycle. The competitive nature of staying informed and being able to engage in political discussions is deeply ingrained in the culture of places like Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Rolf Dobelli, a Swiss philosopher and businessman, advocated for a news-free lifestyle in his book “Stop Reading the News: A Manifesto for a Happier, Calmer and Wiser Life.” He shared his personal experience of cutting out newspapers, television news, and news apps from his life, which he believed significantly improved his overall well-being. Dobelli suggested that individuals can stay informed by organizing gatherings with experts in various fields, a practice that he believed could benefit everyone, not just those who have access to TED Talks.
The decline in viewership of liberal news networks like MSNBC following the election reflects a broader trend of disengagement from the political conversation. The network saw a significant drop in viewership in the week after Election Day, with shows like “The Rachel Maddow Show” experiencing a notable decrease in average viewers compared to the previous month. This shift in viewership patterns suggests that some individuals are choosing to step back from the intense political coverage that has dominated the media landscape in recent years.
Source: The NY Times
