Is it just me, or does most of the news flowing from the blue screens of TV's seem to be negative? The images of bodies blown up around the world. The tragic death of a famous person. Or, recently, the austronaut love triangle. I know love makes you do crazy things, but I'd rather be those crazy things amazing, brave, the ones that take you to the new heights instead of being a downfall (no pun intended). You know, the ultimate love conquers it all. Sometimes I miss listening to positive stories, like about a cat which found the way home through thousand miles, or about a friend who got cured after years of struggle, and yes, I adore stories where love conqures all. I guess I'm that naive.

No, I'm not trying to close my eyes to reality. I want to know what's happening in the world. Though, frankly, even if I didn't have the TV as a backdrop at home, I still wouldn't be able to avoid the news. When I go online, when I talk to someone ("Have you heard about Anna Nicole?" "Of course, I did."), when I'm in line at the grocery store where I can't help looking through magazines. And I click through images, pick up the topic, read the article, and deep down I guess I enjoy it. Maybe that's the reason we are given all those gory details - we're interested in them. Good stories don't make the ratings?

So do you like to watch the news? Which ones do you prefer - the good or the bad ones? And is it really our personal catharsis to listen to the sad things happening to OTHER people?

I watch the news all the time, but I do get tired of all the gloom & doom. I'm always surprised when they have a good news story.

Tori, thanks! I'm glad I'm not alone in missing good stories!

I don't watch the news. That's not entirely true, I do it more on the web, and with an interest in what I can take to my class. What I absoultely refuse to watch are those news debate show. I'm not about to watch grown folk argue about something they have no control over. Second to that, the smarmy shows like Nancy Grace--so rabid over gore that they've moved on to creating it themselves...:(

The news depresses me but I like to know what is going on. Was it Bruce Willis who said he just stopped watching and now felt miles better?

LOL--it is a thought :)

Marty, I don't watch the news debate shows at all. I figure, just give me the news, and I'll make the conclusions myself.

Toni, lol, that's indeed an idea! Unforturnately, I can't stop. So I guess I shouldn't be complaining!

I usually have the news on for the weather but every once in a while something will catch my eye and I'll watch. I do try to keep up on what's going on so that I can make informed decisions about things when I need to.

I rarely watch the news. I do read it on the internet though, but then I get to pick which negativity inundates me so I feel better about that.

I don't watch the news but I read the newspapers and read stories online.

Bad news always gets more coverage, it always has. Human nature is rather lurid in that respect.

Funny, the sports page is usually filled with stories about some athlete getting thrown in jail. Today there was a story about a former major league pitcher who built with the help of his dad and FIL a new clubhouse for his college alma mater's baseball team. Not only did he pay for it, but he himself got out there and did the construction. I wish there were more stories like that.

Bailey, that's the reason I watch the new, too - to be informed. Sometimes I get more than I bargain for, though. Thanks for stopping by!

Meretta, I like that feature of Internet - one can pick up his/her own array of news!

Rene, I love that story! Makes one believe in people again.

I like to watch the good news. I read the bad news, and I watch the good and entertaining news on TV. Weird, I know. Just something I do. haha!

I avoid the news for that very reason. I'd rather stay in my happy place and not think about it! :)

Kelly, lol! At least you mix them up!

Michelle, I'd love to stay in my happy place too. If only I could find it...

The news is the only thing I really watch - I find it interesting how stories are picked up and dropped by the news. I think though that every news bulletin should have some good news story, like a survival story or something, just to mix it up a bit!

Claire, yes, that would be a good idea, to have a mix, and I would always finish with a positive story, just to give people hope that everything is not that bad in this wolrd!

I tend to keep the news to a minimum. Too much negativity, and that's something I don't need right now.

Tempest, that's a good idea. The less negative we have in our lives, the better! I don't think I put the news to the minimum, but hopefully, I can find the good balance. Thanks for visiting!

I love watching the news. But if it's consistently bad news over bad news...I turn it. There's only so much of that I can handle watching. Especially if there are children involved. But I like to keep my finger on the pulse of our nation.
Grins*

Crystal*, great to see you here! Yes, you're right about bad news involving children. I normally go away or change the channel in such cases.