I'm the kind of person who likes to keep up with current events. I listen to NPR more than music and generally like to know what's going on in politics and the world. But over the last six months, listening to the radio has become taxing. Shit is depressing. If I have to hear one more news report about job losses, unemployment or foreclosures I might just lose it. I'm nervous enough as it is, I don't need the doom and gloom media adding to my anxiety.
That's where the Good News Network comes in. I actually heard about it on NPR (thanks for recognizing your own depressingness!), and it's a news website dedicated to only reporting good news.
About GNN:
The mission is to provide a "Daily Dose of News to Enthuse." The Good News Network is a clearinghouse for the gathering and dissemination of positive news stories from around the globe. Daily stories will confirm what we already believe -- that good news itself is not in short supply; the advertising of it is.Why Good News? There are many ways that positive news can improve our lives by bringing emotional well-being, health and even prosperity.
During times like these, it's important to look at the bright side of things, even if just to keep our mental health in check.
In a similar vein, I really appreciated this optimistic post from The Kitchen Table.
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Huh. As much as I dislike it when you guys take offense at even very benign stuff, I take a lot of offense at this. The Good News Network a) sounds like Xtian evangelism, and b) sounds like looking away first.
I definitely don't condone ignoring what is going on in the world, but there is only so much one person can handle. The tone of the 24 hour news cycle during this recession has been too much.
I don't see anything wrong with looking for reporting on positive things going on, in addition to other current events and news.
Looks to me like a Web site reporting only unnewsworthy press releases. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a PR firm's site masquerading as a news network for hits.
("Disney Company to Cut Carbon Emissions?" Did any other news outlet publish that press release? "Stimulus Package has Green for Clean Energy?" That isn't even news. And "Michigan Semi-conductor Plant Posts Double-Digit Profits?" Okay, but who cares?)
I can see how this "reporting feel-good events" stuff could work if limited to a particular section of a legit, general interest paper. But when a paper's general reporting guidelines specifically bar anything negative, I know they've got either questionable news judgment or a batch of reporters who are too lazy to dip into more dour implications of the news they're reporting.
I agree.
I've got no problem with a site reporting actual "good news", like the president easing travel restrictions to Cuba. That's news, and it's good.
I don't need to be updated with fluff, kitten saved from fire story, kid gets much needed kidney transplant, etc. Yeah that's all great, still not news.
I think it depresses me even more to know that I have to pay to read good news. Sheesh.
Ithaca, NY has a paper like this. It's called Positive News.
I think it's good to have a place to look for good news once in a while, especially when everything else in the news cycle is generally upsetting.