The goal of the media is to capture as much of your attention as possible to maximize ad revenue. It’s simple economics. We’re wired to focus on negatives much more than positives. It helps us survive. Yet this is precisely what the media uses to manipulate you & keep you hooked. This is how you end up with way too much negativity on your feed and - by extension - in you life.
Think about every news show. It is ONLY about what is wrong. So if 330 million Americans were not killed today but two were - the spotlight will be on those two. There are 5,999 colleges in the USA. If 5998 of them did not have a nut come in and shoot people up but 1 did - guess what makes the news, the 5998 or the 1?
Why is Switzerland NEVER in the news? Because they are never at war, among other reasons.... But Israel? Never a dull moment. So Israel is always in the news.
Biden has 4 children [three living]. But everyone only hears about one of them. Why? Oh - b/c he is a criminal and THAT is news. If he weren't, nobody would know [or care] who he was. Thanks R' צייד for all the entertainment. It seems like every day, more incriminating information is discovered about you.
The examples are boundless. The news preys on negativity, what is wrong, tragedy etc. etc. Otherwise - people won't watch.
Imagine a dude like Ben Shapiro would do his show as follows: "What a beautiful day on G-d's green earth!!! The sun shines. A cool breeze in the Florida air. AHHHHHHH!!!! Baurch Hashem. Lungs working great today!!! רופא כל בשר ומפליא לעשות!! Had a delicious, nutritious breakfast today. BARUCH HASHEM!!" And continue that way for an hour. He'd be outta business in no time. No negativity- no show. Not just him - the entire media.
Mussar Haskel: You want positivity to dominate your consciousness? Stay away from the media and social media for that matter which is FILLED with hyper-negative-cynical-foul-mouthed and often jaded people.
Instead, surround yourself with positive people, be yourself positive and learn a lot of Torah which will make you smarter, holier and better.
