Personal retirement observation

[AnIntentionalRoad]

Years ago we stopped watching local TV news--we called it the "murder and mayhem" show, esp. Here in a major metro area when every night there is at least one murder or other major crime to report.

Now, since being RE for two years we hardly watch CNN anymore, whereas before we were serious CNN junkies. Now I am focusing my energy on things and people of value that are close to me. Too much of the news is just not relevant.

 

[Tailgate]

I wouldn't go so far as making Cronkite "100% credible".

2B, reference was to the era, not Walt in specific.. somewhere along the line there was a paradigm shift in thinking. Perhaps a poor analogy, but news organizations were in the business of journalism, then at some tipping point, they were in journalism to do business.

Does the media mirror the culture of the times or is it trying to shape the culture? Chicken or Egg?

 

[Tailgate]

My biggest pet peeve is the lack of news in both local and national news. As a classic example there was the "selfie" of some kid with Warren B and Paul M in the background.

+1.. interesting tidbit from the last local news research study I was involved with. Previous study in 2009 earlier showed that 'repetition' of stories was a big turn off to viewers. That kind of repetition was related to having already seen the story on a previous newscast or on another station. Efforts were made to 'advance' stories with new and fresh information to fight the repetition issue.

Fast forward to a study in 2013 and the definition of 'repetition' has changed for the consumer... now it means having 'heard about the story from anywhere, any source'. Not only traditional media, but now Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, RSS feeds, friends, texts. The speed at which content moves to consumers is now breathtaking. I have 'liked' the local police department's Facebook page and they are certainly quicker that my old TV station in getting the word out.

Confucius said 'may we live in interesting times'

 

[CaliforniaMan]

I stopped watching local news programs many decades ago when the format changed from journalistic reporting, to smiling, friendly, joking newscasters. When Ted was in charge of CNN it was worth watching. I share the view with others here the major cable "news" programs now (with the exception of PBS) are just worthless.

But having said this, I have on occasion become a news junkie, especially during the later stages of presidential campaigns, during a Malaysian jet type thing, or when the U.S. starts into one of its "shock and awe" overseas adventures.

Then, maybe about a year before retirement, when I finally started my internal countdown clock, my tolerance for talk about unhappy events, news, shows, etc. seemed to wane. I don't know but I think I was transitioning from the competitive businessman I was into a more social, less aggressive animal. Now I seem to be more interested in positive happenings, what people are doing to better things, or just relaxing and enjoying what I actually have control over, rather than worrying about all the other nonsense I cannot do anything about.

I have indeed noticed a change in myself.

 

[Walt34]

Now I seem to be more interested in positive happenings, what people are doing to better things, or just relaxing and enjoying what I actually have control over, rather than worrying about all the other nonsense I cannot do anything about.

I've noticed the same change in myself, spending more time doing stuff like the below image than thinking about all the stuff going on elsewhere. It certainly is more relaxing.

DW wanted that one right by the front door. It's the first thing you see coming in.

 

[Tailgate]

Walt, you're very talented! Beautiful!

 

[MBAustin]

We got out of the evening news habit when we lived in Germany for several years in the late 90s and never picked it back up again. We've always (except in Germany) had the daily local paper delivered, and last year I got an offer to use a small number of airline miles to get the Wall St. Journal. We've enjoyed reading it although we don't finish it cover to cover (and I generally find the op-ed pages too aggravating to read).

 

[outdoorgirl02]

I stopped watching the news about 18 months ago and it has been wonderful to have that time to read or relax instead. It feels good to eliminate all the negative news.

 

[Derslickmeister]

I used to be an absolute news and politics junkie. I don't know what happened, it's like a switch was turned off and I no longer have the slightest interest. I do watch the evening news though, and marvel at how worthless the network newscasts have become...

 

[heeyy_joe]

I love the news. It makes me feel so...normal.

 

[audreyh1]

Pretty much don't watch any news. Anything important I find out second hand.

I feel no need to be "informed".

 

[Jaded salami]

My need for entertainment means I get all my news from The Daily Show and Colbert Report.

 

[Elbata]

Don't you want to know what you need to fear next?

Then watch the commecials to tell your doctor this is the medication you need.

I wonder if there would be a way to get notifications about car chases. Now that's entertaining.

 

[Badger]

I stopped getting the newspaper here many years ago because it was such a waste of paper and money. There was more than 2X the space devoted to ads and "fluff" such as horoscopes, Ann Landers, etc. Now I only read it twice a month on Saturdays for a PBS radio show. Prior to that I used it mainly for mulch in the garden. I see just as much TV news on the "coming attractions" as what is reported on the actual show so I don't waste my time with the local news. There isn't anything that I can do about the idiocy, cruelty as well as political baloney that comprises the bulk of news on TV so I figure why bother. If I hear of anything that is of importance to me then I can search the web.

Cheers!

 

[imoldernu]

Confession of a news junkie...
Am totally fascinated by the news... and spend far too much time following. I've been doing this for many years, and while we still get two daily papers, I spend less time with them now than ever before... mostly live TV.
IMHO, AlJazeera does the best job of offering in depth, and balanced reporting, with very little little newsperson opinion thrown in. The coverage is at the level of the NYT, and then some. An expensive proposition. Next, NPR, and then for balance MSNBC and Fox for the comedic aspects. Local news, no... Chicago area news is just a litany of crime and corruption. MSM NBC, ABC, Fox CBS, and now CNN... just headline flashes as a framework for commercials. Shallow.

Age has a lot to do with this. Less activity of all sorts. No shopping, visiting, entertainment (as in shows and events), and less eating out. Leaves lots of time for watching the country and the world, in the framework of history.

For most, a waste of time I suppose, but it becomes a hobby, studying a point in time where more "history" takes place in a day, than what used to develop over centuries.

What others may find depressing, is for me, very interesting. Nothing to be done to affect any outcomes, but far more exciting than any current movie, with a cast of characters, and a myriad of sets that could never be duplicated.

A real time experience that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

 

[MichaelB]

There's the same amount of news as there was 50 years ago. What has changed is "we the viewers". We can't get enough. We want more, in every possible flavor and form, both raw and refined. It's like sugar to a diabetic, we can't metabolize what we're getting now but we still crave more.

Being retired at first allowed me the time to consume more of this. It was a great feeling at the time, I still remember staring at the tv screen (CNBC or CNN) while on the treadmill. This bad habit was not that hard to break, I now filter my sources more carefully and limit my daily consumption. This is much easier to do in retirement. I don't need a w*rk related news flow and have plenty of time to find the sources that best suit my needs.

Another of the many advantages of early retirement.

 

[HFWR]

Was never a news "junkie", but watched and read, and followed the old talk shows - Brinkley, Face The Nation, etc., because I liked getting the different perspectives, so I could formulate an informed opinion on issues.

I rarely watch any news on TV, and do a drive-by on CNN and Fox websites, just to not be totally ignorant. So much of what passes for news is opinionated drivel, sensationalism, voyeurism, and mind-numbing mind-boggling horse puckey.

It's done lots for my outlook to tune it all out. I can barely control what goes on within, and only get one vote (which I'd like to think is well-informed)...

 

[AnIntentionalRoad]

I canceled all my periodicals recently and now am spending a few hours at the library every other week to browse/read them. It is better than getting them delivered because I have a much greater selection and I can read just the parts I am interested in. No buyers remorse from throwing out unread issues.

Not to mention saving $250 a year!

 

[Mulligan]

I dread it when my dad comes to visit as he holds my TV hostage to Fox News all day and night. Now I do watch O'Reilly Factor daily as I find it entertaining. But the show is not "hard news" and doesn't even claim to be. I do not understand why people complain about the "viewpoint" of the show when it clearly does not promote itself that way. Hannity is another example. Now I personally do not like the show, but hammer it on not liking it or it's viewpoints, not that is a biased "news" program. It's an opinion/commentary show.


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[Tailgate]

loved the video...have never heard that song but it rings true. Haven't thought of Loudon in years, but now I won't be able to get 'dead skunk in the middle of the road' out of my head