I think we all agree that the current situation in the world is pretty grim. Although being engaged is obviously not a bad thing sometimes I just want to move my attention to Not the Hellscape.

What other new type spaces do people use to escape the grind? I’m thinking really good reputable science magazines, features articles, human interest, etc. generally places than aren’t a niche hobby or music that offer something to get your brain crewing on the good stuff.

I thought of this while walking home from work listening to the Startalk podcast (Neil deGrasse Tyson) instead of some political podcast telling how stupid the British Conservative Party are or the odds on avoiding Trump in a few weeks. As I listened I got an overwhelming sense of “this is way better for my mental health than shitfuckery”

I've completely logged off of all social media, and only occasionally watch PBS Newshour for current events.

My preferred method of news digestion is to let the initial impressions and reactions to events boil over, calm down, and filter down to a few publications that seem to do good deep dives into current events and news.

Those are: The New Yorker, Harper's, and Noema Magazine.

Much more than that and I start to feel inundated and manipulated by the medium.

Tbh, the external barely moves the needle when up against the internal at present.

So much “news” is barely news at all. It’s gossip presented in such a way as to trigger maximum (impotent) outrage. I’ve excised a lot of that shit from my my life.

Stuff that keeps me sane—or actually makes me happy and engaged:

Sight and Sound magazine.

The Criterion Channel.

Taking swing dancing lessons with my wife (and regularly going dancing). (If you exclude one-offs, this might be the most fun thing we’ve done together.)

The History of Rock in 500 Songs podcast.

All things analog: shooting on film, listening to music on vinyl or 78s, reading books on paper that I get from the library. Anything that gets me off my phone and away from distractions.

I work.

I pay attention to my family.

I watch a shit-ton of bird videos on YouTube.

I come to the realization that as much as I want to change how things are, there isn't fucking much that I alone can do about it.

And caring less about admitting that, even though there will be people on here that will ridicule me for it.

Wood Goblin wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 2:03 pm All things analog: shooting on film, listening to music on vinyl or 78s, reading books on paper that I get from the library. Anything that gets me off my phone and away from distractions.

It's been remarkable to me how attenuated my anxiety is from avoiding all things digital. I'm 50, and one day thought 'my brain grew up without this stuff, so I should really take advantage of that', and haven't looked back.

(I say as I type on a screen while working).

jfv wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 2:06 pm I come to the realization that as much as I want to change how things are, there isn't fucking much that I alone can do about it.

And caring less about admitting that, even though there will be people on here that will ridicule me for it.

In a lot of important ways, the way you can be in the world while divorced from the sense of responsibility that the constant media barrage can generate can make one more of a force for good than agonizing over things we can't control.

Being a good friend, a good parent, and a good citizen are highly underrated.

I feel about 'news' in a similar way that I feel about recycling. Do the basics because it's the right thing to do, but be aware that the forces that require that action have created the sense of responsibility you feel for their inaction.

bigc wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 2:10 pm

Wood Goblin wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 2:03 pm All things analog: shooting on film, listening to music on vinyl or 78s, reading books on paper that I get from the library. Anything that gets me off my phone and away from distractions.

It's been remarkable to me how attenuated my anxiety is from avoiding all things digital. I'm 50, and one day thought 'my brain grew up without this stuff, so I should really take advantage of that', and haven't looked back.

It’s funny how often you’ll see responses along the lines of “here’s how you can recreate the vinyl experience on Spotify” or “here’s how you can get the film look—and also slow down—on digital.” It’s like those old ads that recommend a specific brand of cigarette for when you’re sick or have smoker’s hack. “Here’s a different way for you to do the thing you don’t want to do!”

(I say as I type on a screen while working).

Haha—same!

bigc wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 2:14 pm

jfv wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2024 2:06 pm I come to the realization that as much as I want to change how things are, there isn't fucking much that I alone can do about it.

And caring less about admitting that, even though there will be people on here that will ridicule me for it.

In a lot of important ways, the way you can be in the world while divorced from the sense of responsibility that the constant media barrage can generate cab make one more of a force for good than agonizing over things we can't control.

Being a good friend, a good parent, and a good citizen are highly underrated.

^ x1000

Can't beat an engaging book. No distractions, just the info on the pages.