To tune in or tune out

Over the years, the topic of keeping up with the news versus tuning out has come up a lot in conversation with people. I have always been intensely on the tune-in side of this argument. Some people defend their lack of attention to politics and current events by stating that the news is “too depressing.” While I cannot dismiss this argument, I believe that refusing to listen to what is happening in the world not only threatens a person’s awareness of that which affects him or her directly; it risks erasing his or her compassion.

Admittedly, if you are a highly sensitive person who takes on the suffering of others, the news might alter your mood, and maybe even your blood pressure. In that case, I can understand keeping some distance. However, if this is not an issue, I think any reason you might give for tuning out is merely an excuse to remain within the confines of the reality you choose to create for yourself.

While I didn’t grow up in an avid news-watching/reading household, I was always curious and enjoyed reading and learning. So, the learning that I did in school must have piqued my interest in politics, philosophy, and world affairs.

The world that many of us inhabit is becoming increasingly individualistic, and with that comes less connectedness with others. Sure, we are technically connected to many people at any given time, due to our advanced communication systems, but how profound are these connections?

If you don’t know anything about the troubles that a family member is having, for example, why would you bother to learn about people who are suffering on the other side of the world? I’m not saying that people don’t care; rather, they’re not interested in hearing anything negative.

As someone whom others label as “negative” (*scoff*), logically, I won’t shy away from the negativity in the world. My mom always told me that I think too much. She was right, of course. She was an intelligent and pragmatic woman, so she was often right. I wouldn’t be the same person if I stopped thinking so much; we wouldn’t want that, would we?!

If we don’t listen to the voices of others, we cannot understand them. And this lack of understanding breeds a lack of empathy. That is how North Americans, for example, can move on quickly after hearing that thousands of people were killed on a faraway continent. And without this ability to understand and share the feelings of others, we will allow the needless suffering of others to continue.

Perhaps, rather than simply discussing whether or not to unplug, the question to ask is this: What do we gain from tuning out?