Have we become so attuned to bad news, even a hint of good news leaves some of us leery and suspicious? Lately, it seems, virtually any sprig or “green shoot” pointing to an easing of our economic mess is met by a chorus of naysayers; pundits and prognosticators who are loath to admit things might be getting a little better for fear that worse doom and gloom lies just around the corner. Last week just such indicators materialized showing the jobs situation looking a bit better. Reason to celebrate? Maybe not. Reason for measured optimism? Sure. But after reading some columns and blogs this morning, you’d think the sky is falling.
Profits of Doom: Are We Immune to Good News? - The World Newser
This particular editorial happens to be about the economy, but I think it is true across the spectrum. Bad news sells. Good news does not. I think most people here know that I am an historian. My interest lies in the Great Depression which isn't really that depressing from a historical point of view. It was a hard time, but it was a time when people went out of their way to help others. It was a time when everything completely changed. There was an explosion in the arts, literature, and it was definitely an awesome time to be a historian due to government funding of several critical oral history projects. New ideas abounded and Roosevelt had the guts to try them, because all else had failed.
There were a lot of good things going on during the 1930s, I'm sure there are many good things going on now. I challenge everyone to find the good. It is hidden. It will not be in the most popular news stories for very long. I challenge everyone to find the good news in the news and around them. It is not going to be easy, because bad news sells. But let's give it a shot.
Profits of Doom: Are We Immune to Good News? - The World Newser
This particular editorial happens to be about the economy, but I think it is true across the spectrum. Bad news sells. Good news does not. I think most people here know that I am an historian. My interest lies in the Great Depression which isn't really that depressing from a historical point of view. It was a hard time, but it was a time when people went out of their way to help others. It was a time when everything completely changed. There was an explosion in the arts, literature, and it was definitely an awesome time to be a historian due to government funding of several critical oral history projects. New ideas abounded and Roosevelt had the guts to try them, because all else had failed.
There were a lot of good things going on during the 1930s, I'm sure there are many good things going on now. I challenge everyone to find the good. It is hidden. It will not be in the most popular news stories for very long. I challenge everyone to find the good news in the news and around them. It is not going to be easy, because bad news sells. But let's give it a shot.
This is very good news!
