Social media and stress
How the culture of perpetual outrage causes some to be in a constant state of fear and anger, leading to significant health problems. It is not a healthy way to live.
Media: Since 2000, news headlines became increasingly negative, angry, sad and fearful
Since 2000, news headlines have become increasingly negative, angry, sad, disgusted and fearful in their wording. Obviously, this affects the mental health of news readers.
The Daily Doomer: “Existential threats are getting worse: nuclear war, AI fears, climate change”
We are all going to die, Really Soon Now. Your dose of The Daily Doomer.
Media myth busted: Suicides do not increase at holidays
Half of recent news reports about holiday suicides spread disinformation that suicides go up over the holidays: Summary: Despite media claims that suicide rates increase dramatically over the holiday period, researchers report the average daily suicide rate during the holidays remain among the lowest rate of any period of the year. Source: University of Pennsylvania The holiday-suicide myth, the false claim that the suicide rate rises during the year-end holiday season, persisted in some news coverage through the 2021-22 holidays, according to…
NBER paper: Why Is All COVID-19 News Bad News?
91% of US news about Covid topics was negative – even when reporting on positive vaccine developments or low case counts in schools. The media learned that consumers demand negativity – I postulate this is because consumers who are suffering from hysteria and anxiety seek out news that confirms their anxiety, and that being anxious is okay.
New York requires applicants to hand over their social media account IDs
Many of recent mass shooters had posted items of concern on social media but none of them had concealed weapons permits. Thus, this would not have stopped any of the recent mass murders. As missed warning signs pile up in investigations of mass killings, New York state is rolling out a novel strategy to screen applicants for gun permits. People seeking to carry concealed handguns will be required to hand over their social media accounts for a review of their…
Yesterday’s hyperbolic headline: “Plasma ejections could impact Earth, wreak havoc today” – but we survived
Ridiculous and pointless frightening headline keeps everyone in a state of anxiety and acts as click-bait. This was from more than a day ago. A day later, we – surprise! – survived.
Facebook’s algorithms reward outrage
The algorithms lead to an increase in angry people and divisiveness, leading to a world of angry people, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Munchausen by Internet
This is an Internet/social media phenomena that never occurred to me: “Munchausen by Internet occurs when medically well individuals fake recognized illnesses in virtual environments, such as online support groups.”
The culture of perpetual outrage: “The harmful ableist language you unknowingly use”
This is what happens when we constantly seek out reasons to be perpetually outraged. The world is overrun with individuals who every day, intentionally seek out things to be outraged about. Common speech is now perceived as intentional and hurtful sleight to someone, somewhere. There is nothing we can say anymore without offending someone, somewhere. I have referred to concepts as “brain dead”, which is likely offensive to those with brain injuries. Which, should be obvious by now, includes me.