To infinity and beyond.

11/4/2014

I read an article this morning which said news is bad for you. The writer stated that news made people anxious and never generated a positive thought or contributed to their lives in any way. If we set the news aside and never read another word, our lives would be happier. The story from last year stated that news doesn't encourage thought.

I beg to differ. For almost two years, I've written a daily blog based on a news story. Recent events have sprouted my opinions and raised questions. If we look beneath the story, we can always find something to think about.

Today, one of the most endearing stories is about a cartoon character. Even if you haven't watched the Disney animation, you'll know about Toy Story.

Buzz Lightyear's catchphrase "to infinity and beyond" has been named the UK nation's favourite film catchphrase.

Why would the public like this phrase? Perhaps the absurd concept of a cartoon character thinking beyond the boundaries—that he would know about an expanding universe. Many writers contributed to Toy Story. Their combined creation draws laughter and thought from the audience.

So, don't just read a news story, give the subject some thought. That's where our power lies.

7 Comments

Gemma link

11/3/2014 06:46:12 pm

I think a lot of what's reported is negative but you can always take something away from a sad news story or learn from it.

Alexandria Gunn link

11/3/2014 06:59:54 pm

Negative reporting definitely doesn't help, and I'm guilty of that for one of the sites that I write for. Negative reporting gets the views, and makes the money. I tend to skip over negative news now and often find myself turning it off. I kind of agree with the report that not reading it makes us happier, but it also means we miss out on world events and become very closeted people.

Fashion-Mommy link

11/3/2014 07:23:27 pm

We need to know the news, it may not always be positive, but we still need to know what is happening around us.

#UKBloggers

K.Lee Banks link

11/3/2014 11:11:30 pm

Insightful as always, Francene! I have found lately, since there is so much bad news, I am doing a lot more specific praying...and many of the topics in the news kind of help teach us what NOT to do or how NOT to handle something, and instead focus on more effective solutions.

Michelle link

11/3/2014 11:11:30 pm

I'm a very anxious person normally so I can't watch the news. This Ebola thing is going to drive me to drink. If it were positive like this than I think it woukd benefit people.

Donna link

11/4/2014 04:02:49 am

Another wonderful piece of writing, Francene -
And I don't watch the news much - except I do like to watch politics - but otherwise - I know sad things have always happened - just don't like it in my face daily - :)

Brigittr

11/4/2014 04:14:22 pm

Thanks for giving us this article. I don't watch the news. I find some of the graphics very upsetting and I agree with the lady who says we could always get some positives out of the negatives. I keep up with the news by listening to the radio. I get to learn about what is going on around me without seeing some of the distressing pictures. I guess one would say it's escapism but we are all different and look at things in different ways. Thank you for highlighting these points. Good to see viewpoints of others. I look forward to your next post.

Francene Stanley:
Author
I use news items in my fantasy novels.

Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books on the sidebar below?
I blogged 260 days last year. Link.