Black, White and Read All Over

I have never really sat back and appreciated the fact that as a population we generate a heck of a lot of information.  There always seems to be an abundant amount of fodder to fill newspapers, magazines, radio, television and websites with something new and different every day.  There are times when big, exciting things are happening and we are riveted to the news machines, then there are other days that seem rather slow and uninteresting.  I am intrigued and drawn to this.

With technology the way it is, I know just as much of what is going on halfway across the world as I do locally.  This gives even more “stuff” to digest and internalize.  Satellites can eyeball minute details and beam them to inquiring minds.  Reporters capture the pulse of the event (albeit not always accurately, but I give them at least 50% precision) and parlay into media the goods that will be readily absorbed by the adoring masses.  What happens to all the newsworthy tidbits that aren’t picked up and distributed?  I am desperate to know what I am missing. I am… a news junky.

I check the web first thing in the morning and then several times a day, just in case some breaking news has happened.  I am dutiful in perusing the daily national newspaper for hot topics that can be dissected with chosen (as in, not everyone is in the know) comrades.  The local paper holds the highest distinction and the highlight of the three days of the week it is distributed (do I know how to suck up or what?).

I am captivated by the choices of front-page stories.  I, however, would not like the pressure of deciding what was the most important, interesting or attention-grabbing headline would be for the day.  Balancing heart-warming, human-interest stories, with the chill of war, poverty and death, peppered with a bit of government folly alongside the weather around the nation would keep me up at night.  Knowing that whatever you choose, there will be repercussion and someone who won’t like something you have said, done or decided not to make public.  Human nature, I suppose.  Maybe the adage of what you don’t know won’t hurt you should take on special meaning.

Why are we attracted to the news and current events?  Does it somehow enable us to position ourselves in the grander picture by being able to put into perspective our own lives?  Do we want to be intellectually challenged by deciphering the activities and absurdities of the human race?  Are we curious of the ways of others who live near and far? I would say yes, to all of the above.  It appears that as long as news is being created there will be those of us who gobble it up and hang on every word.  I raise a suspicious eye to folks I encounter who are contrary to the comings and goings of everyday events that may rise to historical status (actually I may be envious that they can shut it all out).  I either need to find a resource that benefits from my vast reservoir of trivia or locate where the self-help groups are that deal with this kind of addiction – it is a fine line and may be a topic for media coverage.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.                      

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-