Turning Off Omniscience

I avoid televised news media altogether. I have done this for two years. As C.S. Lewis once remarked, if it’s big enough (Ferguson, ISIS) you hear about it anyway.

Lewis lived in rural England when radio and landline telephones were the cutting edge of communication. Today, those connected to social media hear (almost instantly) about anything that would make the evening news.

The human psyche is not wired for omniscience, not meant to contain so much information. It can (sometimes) bear its own tragedies and those of its community but witnessing (as in eye-witnessing) global tragedy, even the collective tragedy of our nation, year in and year out, is not something we humans were meant to carry.

When we see too much tragedy and hardship it makes us less capable of handling the burdens of our actual neighbors, those with whom we daily come into contact, and of our families.

In his humanity, Jesus recognized limits. He engaged with the world around him, and he did not try to shield himself from the suffering he encountered, but he did withdraw for solitude, silence, and prayer that he might re-engage afresh.

Not to mention that the level of discourse on television (even social media) about almost any development is, on balance, not usually considered or constructive. And it engenders,
and is fed by, fear.

Jesus says “Do not be afraid.”

Do yourself a favor and turn the TV off. If you want to stay informed, read a good magazine, like The Economist.