I'm going to be perfectly honest here. Because I can, it's my blog!
Staying informed is completely overwhelming to me. How do people do it? Every time I think I have a handle on a particular situation, someone else shows up in a debate and spouts out a million facts, figures, and quotations about how much I actually DON'T know. Where do people find the time to do all of this reading? When I open up the Journal Sentinel Online it takes me about an hour to read through everything. AN HOUR, and all I'm doing is trying to stay up to date on what is happening in the world! Now take into consideration that I like to get an all encompassing perspective on the news so I try to read through additional sources, from all ends of the political spectrum, to stay as up to date as I can about what everyone is thinking and feeling on certain issues. That's a LOT of information to take in in one day! And I certainly don't have the time normally to do it! Thank god it's been super slow at work otherwise I don't think I would find the time!
I feel as though staying up with all the issues is a full time job, and I'm feeling very stressed out about it. Clearly I am doing something wrong. What is the secret to staying informed, without it completely overtaking your life?
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16 comments:
My homepage is news.google.com. It helps a lot with figuring out what happens.
As far as other people spouting information... I usually find that when they do that the person doesn't have a clue what they're talking about, or doesn't understand the reasons why that data matters.
I've made some real half-assed efforts over the years to read less recently-published books, and instead read more of the basics. For instance, instead of some book on post 9/11 US politics, I try reading "On Liberty" or "The Federalist Papers". Talking heads are fo' suckaz.
Just remember... The people spouting facts and opinions don't know what they're talking about.
The only secret to staying informed is buying a copy of An Inconvenient Truth. I kid, I kid.
Well I think you hit the nail on the head. I would speculate that there are some people that choose to stay incredibly informed on just a few issues. So those people are going to be able to spout a ton of information on those particular issues.
Each time you get into a debate of any sort, you're bound to "run into" at least one person who has a lot of knowledge in that area. So... you seem to be feeling that lots of people are incredibly informed on all sorts of issues.
I would argue that maybe what's really happening is that there are a few people informed on only a few issues and every time you enter into a debate, you run across some of those people which makes it seem like everyone else is more knowledgable than you.
Gah, does this make any sense?
I say, good job on keeping up on current events and trying to read up on a broad range of stuff. To me, that's the best way to stay informed.
When you find a way, please let me know. I haven't been caught up on what is going on in the world for about 4 years. I don't hear about anything until it's long over.
To Andre: Thanks for the tip!! I appreciate it.
Mentle: You seriously just made me laugh out loud here at work.
Elizabeth: I absolutely know what you're saying, and I guess I never thought of it that way. I suppose if I were to get into a debate on say Evolution vs. Creation or Gay Marriage i would have plenty more to talk about because I CHOOSE to have a more intimate knowledge of them. Others choose differently. Thanks for the insight!! I don't feel so bad now!
Jessie: I'll keep you posted =)
I get all of my news from my Blogroll.
I think I'm going to just start going to "Something To Look Forward To" for mine =)
I agree..balance is key. I often find myself switching to AM 1290 in the morning as it is an African-American oriented talk show simply because I think very differently than many African-American's on issues such as racism, civil rights, and governmental control issues. It's refreshing to hear the world from their side, even if I don't necessarily agree with it! With that said, I also like to catch up on Conservative view points as I feel it gives us an all encompasing feel as to where people are coming from when they express an opinion. It validates it!
And yes, I realize I'm kind of an extremist in want to know EVERYTHING. I just HATE when an issue comes up and I don't have an in depth knowledge of the subject. Consider it a passion to learn...or that I'm just a spaz =)
Also, I don't think spending an hour reading the Journal Sentinel is the best way to spend your news reading time. Who has more than an hour per day to read news?! Most of what's in the JS has no bearing on what's going on in the world or on what we actually need to know.
Again, I think it's important to simply skim the headlines and read what interests you and/or what you think is most important to be up on.
I'm not trying to be preachy and I'm certainly no expert on the subject ... just sharing my humble opinion. :)
P.S. I totally click on your ads every time I come over here. We'll get you to $100, girl.
hahaha okay maybe I was exaggerating a little but still. All I'm saying is that between local, national, and world news as well as the rare case that i care what's going on with celebrities, it's a lot to take in!!!
And THANKS for the clicks Erin. I do the same at yours. I've made $3.00 already today!!! That's the most by any means. I'm almost up to $10.00 now. Horray! =
Hey, Christi! No, you are normal. As a Promotions Manager with Cumulus Communications told me "The landscape of this country has changed". When I was in Las Vegas in January and February Anna Nicole died. Now here I am in L.A. and O.J. gets busted for another bizzare incident. Media drives it and so does our sped up lifestyle--both of which I shake my head at. Have a good weekend!:)
I like reading the JS. I also read my hometown newspaper so I can laugh and my current town's newspaper, also so I can laugh.
My fave news clicks are CNN and Google News.
Last night on Leno they made fun of Obama, by the way. Or maybe it was Conan. Not sure, but I heard it.
NPR is not liberal enough for me. Is that a sign?
It's not a good sign, that's for sure.
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