Why you should stop being passive consumers of news

Modern man is, by definition, live in the mode of information overload. In the XXI century, not the person is looking for information, and the information the person is looking for. And not all turns out to cope with this permanent noise news: most people quite mindlessly absorb any information, never doubting its authenticity and needed.

Today we will talk about why you should stop being passive consumers of news.

I am convinced that there is nothing more useless than reading the news. There is no evidence that this activity makes us wiser, better and because of this we make more informed decisions and become good citizens - all indicates just about reverse.

If you're like me, you have ceased to be passive consumers of news. Maybe you did it because we felt like one of you is literally pumped joy and positive emotions, or you just found a more interesting occupation. Or maybe you are a person who was never interested in the news. Or maybe everything just the opposite: you absolutely thoughtlessly consume all that twist on TV, in the newspapers and let wander around the World Wide Web.

Many of us are aware of the danger that entails for a surplus of food, and have learned to limit yourself to food. But most of us still do not realize that the news of the mind is the same as that of body sugar.
Rolf Dobell

Upsets me is that I see around me: the guy who considers himself a smart and well-read only because he reads the newspapers and is aware of what is happening in the world. Or girl who knows everything about every celebrity gossip and very surprised when I say she did not hear the news that hackers have posted photos of nude Jennifer network Lawrence.

After I stopped reading / listening / watching the news, I became more attentive, has learned to better control their thoughts, became more critical of the information I had more time to implement their ideas, and, of course, I became more upbeat.

Rolf Dobell, founding society ZURICH.MINDS, said that instead of just read the news, which teaches us ready on a silver platter, we should spend more efforts on the search for information, we need to get yourself to think, to develop a critical thinking. It is very difficult, because our brain initially follows the path of least resistance: the first thing he It draws attention to the available information, on the bright headlines and pictures, that is, the gum for brain. Therefore, we can absolutely mindlessly swallow all that we have presented.

And it's not just about the media - like technique used to attract attention all over the place, from the government propaganda and ending corporate marketing. We see it everywhere: on Facebook and Twitter vivid headlines literally screaming, trying to entice us. And we give in to this, because all we need to do - it's just one click, and it's so simple.

Today is not a scarce commodity information and attention. Why do we give him so easily?
Rolf Dobell

We live in an era when a bright and promising headline is more important than the content of the article. The user clicks, the counter is added, but the more the creators of this "content" and do not dream. So we must be careful to filter the information we consume. This is the task that we have to perform yourself. And we should be aware of all the negative consequences that await us if we continue to be mindless consumers.

Perhaps you have heard something about neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to change this behavior on the basis of experience gained. Now, remember what "experience" every day we get: watch / read / view news, videos, pictures, click on the headlines scroll through the posts here and there.

Remember how we used to consume information. That's right, in the multitasking: we read the newspaper at the breakfast table; We listen to the radio while are conducting car and think about what we have to do today; We watch the news in fits and starts, until we switch channels in search of something interesting; we check Twitter, while working.

But we forget that because of this we are constantly distracted, decreases our productivity. News steal time from our lives, we begin to live it as if the half, and the more news we consume, the more contribute to this half-heartedness.

I'm fed up with this cheap way "explanation" of the world. I do not fit. This is irrational. This falsification. And I will not allow it to cloud your brain.
Rolf Dobell

Hunger, poverty, murder, war, terrorism, accidents, celebrity gossip. I do not need to know these things, and you too. I know you think that the news helps you keep abreast of what is happening in the world, but ask yourself, do any news of your life happier and better? What does the event described in the news are to you personally? For your family and your work? It makes you wonder if you heard / read / seen? Prompts whether to action? And the most important - Do you believe that the news you tell us about the real situation?

Think about it. Think of the past year: at least one of the news that you've learned then, somehow changed your life? In other words, if you have not watched or read the news, your personal or professional life would have turned out differently?

Have you ever thought about the fact that if the news is something really important for you, you, even if you do not watch the news, you still learn about it - from a colleague, a friend or a member of families?

Information has value only when it helps us to do, to create something great, something that can make a difference. Here this information is necessary to search and share it.

The world does not need passive consumers of information. It lacks intelligent and active people who are able to be creators. Think, perhaps, instead of spending their time and energy to ensure that clog the brain with unnecessary information, you should delve into what you really interested?

Think of the solution, not the problem.

If your mind is filled with thoughts about what you can at any time to die, or that everything in one moment may go to hell, you do not leave yourself time and opportunity to think about how to live and how you can change everything to the better.

If you want to know about any problems, then give yourself a condition: you're doing it just to find a solution to this problem. Almost all of the issues are complex, and the only way to find information for their permission - to delve into books and serious articles.

Seek knowledge, not useless information.

Read the books and articles that make you think and solve problems, and not those that you run look for something to do. Watch the inspiring video. Do not forget to refer to the information received critically. Do not chase the latest "current" news. In most cases, they only need to maintain a conversation with someone. Do not go on the way to easy, be brave enough to talk about the important things that will give you and the people around you food for thought.

Let your every click, every minute, your attention will be spent on what is really important.