The Unrelenting Tide of Negative News

If you follow the news, whether it’s real or fake, you would be forgiven for feeling worn down. If you are like me, you might feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of negative stories that dominate the headlines. There appears to have been little good news and a lot of  disturbing and troubling developments in 2023. Here are just a few in no particular order.

• The Russia/Ukraine conflict rumbled throughout the year with no peace in sight.

• The Israel/Hamas conflict erupted and is turning into a bloody conflict.

• Turkey and Syria were hit by a massive earthquake that claimed 50,000 lives.

• Wildfires broke out across the mediterranean, North America, South America, North Africa, and Asia.

• In fact, NASA declared the summer of 2023 to be the warmest on record since record-keeping began in 1880.

• The Doomsday Clock is moved ahead, indicating an unprecedented level of world troubles. The time is now 90 seconds to midnight.

• The number of mass shootings in the United States reached a new all-time high in 2023 with 14 shootings resulting in 87 deaths.

• We lost some good people. Ryan O’Neil, Richard Roundtree, Mathew Perry, Jane Birkin, Barry Humphries, Mary Quant, Tony Bennett, and Tina Turner to name but a few.

The Lure of Negative Reporting

However, there was a great deal of good news in 2023, except the major news channels around the world did not bother to report it.

Whether it's war, crime, corruption, natural disasters, or pandemics, it seems like there is always something bad happening in the world. Why do news channels only report unwelcome news? Is there no good news to share?

Why Bad News Dominates?

There are several reasons why news channels tend to focus on unwelcome news. One is that unwelcome news attracts more attention and generates more ratings. People are naturally curious and want to know what is going on in the world, especially if it affects them or their loved ones. Unwelcome news also triggers emotional reactions, such as fear, anger, or sadness, that make people want to watch more and stay tuned for updates.

Another reason is that unwelcome news is easier to find and report. There are many sources of unwelcome news, such as government agencies, police departments, courts, or NGOs, that regularly release information and data about problems and issues. Bad news is also more predictable and consistent than good news. For example, there is always some crime or conflict happening somewhere in the world, but there is no guarantee that there will be a breakthrough discovery, or a heroic act every day.

A third reason is that bad news reflects the reality and complexity of the world. The world is not a perfect place, and there are many challenges and difficulties that people face every day. News channels have a responsibility to inform the public about the important issues and events that affect their lives and society. Bad news can also raise awareness and inspire action to address the problems and improve the situation.

The Presence of Good News

However, this does not mean that there is no good news at all. There are many positive stories and developments that happen every day, but they may not get as much coverage or attention as bad news. Some examples of good news are scientific breakthroughs, or the discovery of a new planet; humanitarian efforts, such as the rescue of trapped miners or the donation of millions of dollars to fight poverty; environmental initiatives, such as the planting of billions of trees or the reduction of carbon emissions; cultural achievements, such as the winning of an Oscar or the publication of a best-selling book; or personal successes, such as graduating from college or getting married. These stories can inspire hope, optimism, and gratitude in people.

Uplifting Events from 2023

I listed at the top of this blog some of the more depressing events of 2023. Here are some of the most uplifting stories from 2023 to bring more balance into your life and help you realise it’s not all bad out there.

• A second malaria vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, has been approved by WHO.

• India’s Vikram lander from Chandrayaan-3 made history as the first spacecraft to land near the Moon’s south pole.

• Deforestation fell 26% in the Amazon rain forest.

• The ozone layer is on track to recover by 2040 for most of the world, 2045 over the Arctic, and 2066 over the Antarctic.

• A breakthrough nuclear fusion experiment was announced by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The days when we can produce cheap, limitless clean energy got a little closer.

• New therapeutics using CRISPR technology have successfully alleviated symptoms in patients with sickle cell disease. This means gene editing could revolutionize medicine by eliminating inherited diseases and enabling personalised therapeutics.

• In Australia 15 mammals, eight birds, four frogs, one reptile, and one fish, no longer met the criteria to be listed as ‘threatened’ under Australia’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

• A baby beaver was born in London for the first time in 400 years.

There you feel a lot more positive about the world we live in don’t you. It is important to balance the consumption of unwelcome news with good news. Too much bad news can cause stress, anxiety, depression, or cynicism in people. Too much good news can cause complacency, ignorance, or unrealistic expectations in people. A healthy dose of both can help people stay informed, engaged, and motivated to make a positive difference in the world.

One more uplifting story of 2023 is that Innovgas and its partners around the world continue to convince more and more anaesthetists of the value of EyePro, NoPress and BiteMe. Each day our products ensure a better and safer outcome for patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Author: Niall Shannon, European Business Manager, Innovgas

This article is based on research and opinion available in the public domain.

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