No News=Good News

This week has been a rough one, world news-wise. Between wars, transportation disasters, and tales of police brutality, it's enough to make you want to retreat to a deserted island where the only external communication is the call of the wind or the trill of birdsong.  In journalism school, we were told that it's those sensational stories that sell. "If it bleeds, it leads," goes the maxim. Well, what if you want to stay tuned to global events and news that matches your interests without all the bad stuff that just ruins your whole day and makes you feel small and helpless? Does such a good-news source exist? Happily, yes!

Besides sites like Upworthy, the Great News Network,  and The Huffington Post's good-news section that focus on the positive headline-news stories, it's also possible to become the curator of your own information flow using simple tools like Google Alerts. You decide what kind of stories you want to read on what subjects, and how often, and create a newsfeed that reflects your interests and values, without all the bum-you-out-for-days stuff that doesn't add value to your life.

Another little hack worth knowing about is the Facebook newsfeed possibilities. We've all had those days where well-meaning friends post a particularly sad animal story or image (usually while trying to spread the word about relevant subjects) that end up haunting you long after you've logged out. Here's a simple tutorial on how to edit what you see and encourage posts that you really want to see.

Can't be bothered with any of this? How about a new fast? Disconnect for a few days and see how you feel, and if there's really anything you've missed by opting out for a spell. The  New Yorker will always  be waiting for you when you opt back in.