Look for different sources and mediums and see if the same answer keeps coming up.ĭo your research - Take the opposite stance and question the claim. Look for other points of view - don't take what you believe entirely from one source. Question everything - when you read an article or watch a video or TikTok, practice questioning what you see and hear.Įvaluate the source - Is this source authoritative, what is their background in that field, and does the writer or the source have the credentials and research to back up their claims correctly? But here's how we can cultivate a more consistent realistic outlook: Ideally, we would take a stand and turn the internet off but that's not realistic. Recognizing this skewed view of the world impacts our outlook and approach to life We tend to focus on the worst behaviors and those are the outliers, not the norm
What continues to rise to the top of searches is negative behavior, fear and distrust The internet has made it easier than ever for people to make money I am not trying to discount the pain, challenges and suffering in the world, but I want my kids (and all of you interested) to evaluate what they read differently and recognize the internet for what it is. Prices are expected to continue to drop over the long term. The price of solar panels, inverters, and lithium batteries has gotten cheaper over the past ten years. No doubt that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to climate change, but solar power has never been more affordable. The country as a whole has gotten much safer. The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the rate of violent crimes per 1,000 Americans age 12 and older plummeted from 80 in 1993 to just 23 in 2018. In the last 20 years, the number of people living in extreme poverty has more than halved, one of the greatest achievements in recent human history.Ĭrime in America is down. Today, life expectancy has increased globally by more than six years since 2010. If you did survive childhood 40 percent of us would die before age five. Two hundred years ago, most human beings would live to about 30-40 years old. Since 1963, the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center has conducted nearly 700 field studies on floods and earthquakes, and on-site research reveals the same results every time: the vast majority of people stay calm and help each other. When adversity strikes, history repeatedly shows a wave of spontaneous cooperation, bringing out our best behavior. Is much of the behavior we see on the top searches of google the norm or an outlier? History shows that it's an outlier. For context, look what I found with just a bit of effort. We CAN have a more realistic outlook and better approach to the internet. I lost two parents indirectly during the last two years of COVID. Studies have linked this consistent consumption of bad news to increased distress, anxiety and depression, even when the news in question is relatively tame.ĭisclaimer #2 - In no way am I insinuating that there is no suffering in the world. What effect does constantly seeing negative news have on our outlook? We form obsessive urges to consume negative news, aka doomscrolling. If you don't believe me, google just about anything in the news and see what the first page of results gives you. The worst behavior climbs to the top of search results and feeds.
Sites naturally feel pressure to stand out, so they feed on our fear and share the worst behavior to get your attention. The internet and the rise of social media have created a massive surplus of ways to get the news.Įvery media organization knows this and understands that the almighty dollar keeps them in business. When looking at the internet, understand that there is far more supply than demand. Here is a quick primer on how the internet works from my 30+ years in media. Most importantly, the impact that the internet has on our mental health and outlook.ĭisclaimer #1 - I am railing against the internet where I have spent my life working in media and making my living - the irony is not lost. The impact of the media on our mental outlook? When it comes to the internet, do they understand: I want my children to understand how the internet works and learn to question everything. I know, that's a rather bold statement about the place where most spend every waking minute but hear me out. It's called the news and we have access to it 24/7 on the internet.
What if I told you there is a new drug that is super addictive, gets people instantly hooked and will cause a misperception of risk, increased anxiety, lower mood levels, learned helplessness, contempt towards others, and deep desensitization.
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