The News Game

The news wants you to watch more news.

Don't be fooled—everything comes down to profit. If you think the news is objective, wake up. This game has too many players: sponsors, advertisers, and everyone else fighting for your attention and wallet.

Why do you think:

• "Breaking news" is always breaking

• "Developing story" never reaches developed

• "Expert analysis" is moronic observation

• "Stay tuned for updates" never ends

Because they want you to tune in all the time.

There's a reason why "everything is f*cked in this world" dominates your feed. It’s because you can't look away when your fight or flight instinct kicks in.

You need to know what's happening, what might happen, and if you should be doing anything about it.

And once you scroll just a tiny bit, the algorithm takes over.

Our brains are wired for closure. We'll keep watching until we feel safe, calm, informed.

But the news never gives you that closure—that’s not the purpose. There's always another crisis, another update, another reason to stay tuned.

If I were to paint out a skeleton version of their game plan:

1. Trigger your anxiety (breaking news!)

2. Keep you hanging (developing story...)

3. Add "expert" confusion (but what does it mean?)

4. Never resolve anything (stay tuned!)

5. Repeat daily

The real cost isn't just time—it's focus.

When your brain is occupied with problems you can't solve, you lose energy for the ones you can.

That project you need to finish? That relationship that needs attention? That health goal you've been putting off? All pushed aside for another update about something you can't control.

Media companies don't want you to see that most "breaking" news can wait 24 hours, that most "crises" don't impact your daily life, and that most "expert analysis" merely fills airtime.

Look, I'm not saying bad stuff doesn't happen in the world. It does. But you have to choose what problems become your problems. All shit cannot be your shit. 

There isn’t a solution other than cutting off the news entirely. But as we all know - crawl, walk, run. So here’s a simple idea that could help:

1. Set specific news times (not first thing in morning)

2. Choose weekly over daily updates

3. Focus on what you can actually influence (important)

Remember: if it's truly important, you'll hear about it, it’ll come to you.

So try to switch off the noise, it’s the healthiest thing you can do.