The Effect of Others

“Other people’s views and troubles can be contagious. Don’t sabotage yourself by unwittingly adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through your associations with others.”

— Epictetus  

Persuasion is a big part of human manipulation. 

The news is one of the best examples of this. 

The news, whether from television or social media  – is owned by a small number of people who have agendas of their own – whom use their platforms to share a range of information. The information they share is sometimes true and sometimes false.  

Malcolm X said: “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” 

And this is what often happens. 

What people do not see are the owners and producers of the news stations who break laws to keep the people thinking whatever they want them to think – and to keep people not thinking for themselves. 

Anyway, believe what you will. And I will focus on having my own beliefs as well. 

I don’t force my beliefs or opinions onto others, and I don’t listen to any angry ignorant people who try forcing their beliefs and ideas onto me. 

Living Beyond The News

“To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.”

— Thoreau

The media, the news, is often nothing more than gossip.

Most of today’s “popular” news really is fake news – to divert viewers attention away from the viewers life, & give it to an electronic media that doesn’t care about viewers.

The media is often dis-empowering, but there is a solution to regain your power – turn off the news. Ignore it. Politicians will still be lying & complaining tomorrow & the next day, & that’s not changing anytime soon.

Anyway, I sometimes watch the news for entertainment, but I don’t take it seriously. Some of it may be serious, but most of it’s not.

What is real is my life, and your life. What is real is your direct experience with life here & now & into your future.

You matter – & believe it or not, your life is more important than every single politician on this planet. I promise you this is true – your life is more important than theirs.

Take some time to turn off the news & reclaim your power, your life.

Coronavirus & The Power of Media

This is a hypothetical example representing the power of media.

The coronavirus is real, but what if it wasn’t?

You see the impact it has had in yours and others’ lives. It’s shutting cities down, countries down!

And although this is just a hypothetical example of how powerful the media is, imagine if coronavirus was fake…

Look at the impact we’ve all had from hearing about this virus. The bad news is spreading quicker than the virus.

Do you see the impact media has?

It is causing everyone to react, myself included.

The coronavirus is just one of the few things the media is spreading. They usually spread subtle messages, but this is blatant.

The next time you’re watching/hearing/listening to media, question it. Question what is in your control and focus on what you can do.

If the coronavirus weren’t real, look at what fake news has caused.

Again, this is hypothetical, just a thought experiment.

Hope you’re staying safe and smart.