7 hours Ago
As election week wrapped up, sleep deprivation took its toll. Long, tense days of pushing up to deadline, fueled by caffeine and carbs, sent my mental state and body crashing. My sister also felt the exhausting weight of divisive politicking.
That's when Mom stepped in with advice. "Girls, just stop going on social media. Tune out the news.
Don't listen to political pundits," she said. "Well, I work in news, have to be on social media and am sorta one of those pundits sometimes. Please don't tune me out," I said.
She didn't respond. A day later, a text emerged. "Let's go to Branson," she said.
Ah, the family trait in avoiding the uncomfortable moments. So, we'll be in Missouri for a few days leaning into the holiday kitsch and glee. People are also reading.
.. Berry Tramel: OU finally trusted Jackson Arnold, and it cost the Sooners vs.
Missouri Oklahoma State Department of Education announces religious liberty office Two killed in separate vehicle crashes in NE Oklahoma late Saturday, early Sunday Bill Haisten: A 99% expectation that Mike Gundy coaches the 2025 Cowboys What do OU regents make of Brent Venables and the Sooners' dismal season? Jackson Arnold not only fumbled OU's game away, but perhaps bowl eligibility 4-day calendar being considered at Broken Arrow Public Schools to retain teachers Major shakeup in 6AI after upsets; See where Barry Lewis ranks your team Greg Sankey's ruling might limit fake injuries in SEC, but Mike Gundy has a better solution High school football: First-round playoff schedule What we learned about Patty Gasso's 2025 Sooners during OU softball's fall slate Surprise: Jack White performing Tuesday at Cain's Ballroom Police, sheriff talk about what Trump's mass deportation plan could mean for Tulsa Berry Tramel: 44 million reasons why OU won't fire Brent Venables POLL CLOSED: Vote for the Bill Knight Automotive high school football player of the week for Week 10 Don't tell Mom, but she's right, to a point. Too much of a good thing can be bad, and that includes information consumption. In 2017, a Facebook executive posted that the average person scrolls through 300 feet of mobile content every day, equivalent to the size of the Statue of Liberty.
Last year, the Times in London reported research indicating that's been upped to an average of three miles of content daily. Brains simply cannot comprehend that much information effectively, or at all sometimes. Throw in podcasts, 24-hour cable news casts, video shorts — it's overwhelming.
In politics, there is a scramble to emerge from the noise, often accomplished by being more over-the-top than the others. Americans gravitate toward the loudest voices saying what they want to hear and in short bursts without bigger context or more nuanced debate. This overload isn't productive, inspiring or motivational.
No wonder the American people are so divided, worn out, confused and tired of it all. The knee-jerk reaction is to shut down, go cold-turkey off information. Tuning out isn't the answer.
Willful ignorance only benefits those who would abuse power. Instead of forgoing everything, think in terms of moderation and limitation. U.
S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin said something similar at a public meeting in August.
I appreciate Mullin's encouragement about reading news and would add a suggestion to diversify content. Don't just go with one source but find a couple with various perspectives. Set a daily schedule of when and what to read or watch, and adhere to a time limit.
The most alienating issues originate at the national level. More and more people are disconnected from their city councils, county governments, state legislatures and school boards. Yet those decisions have a quicker and often more far-reaching effect on our daily lives.
Congress doesn't set Oklahoma property tax rates. The president has no say on the pay for our firefighters and police officers. Those elected officials aren't going to read your email to them or show up at your kid's school for an assembly or career day.
If you know more about Elon Musk's political views than the voting records of your city councilor or school board member, consider shifting choices of news sources. National politics and international conflicts can feel paralyzing, while local activism can make big differences. This is where we can bridge ideological gaps to find common ground.
If people tune out everything, they miss community opportunities for engagement. That makes the work of local journalists even more difficult. The fewer people paying attention to local news, the more likely it is that local journalism will go away.
Now is a time to do a self-audit of news consumption. Phase out the noise far-removed from your daily life and add in voices closer to home. And when you get mad about something, email your city councilor or state legislator.
Make a phone call to the school board member or county commissioner. Good bet a response will be made. Also, when you see representatives making decisions you like, let them know that, as well.
Positive feedback goes a long way. It's pretty common for local elected leaders to have ongoing conversations with constituents. That kind of access to national leaders is unheard of.
If you need a trip to Branson to recharge, by all means go ahead. But come back ready to engage in a different, more community-focused approach. Robust cities have robust media.
It's the road to a healthy democracy..
