thought-glimmers-of-ree

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TL;DR: Relatable! And no one cares if you're slightly less informed unless they're really intense about current events (like I used to be). It's okay to opt out. And being mildly informed with 15m updates once a week or so is ok, too. The long read: I've been on a political news hiatus for like four months now, and I can't tell you how healing this is. I used to be on top of so many issues, scandals, and hot takes, and when I wasn't watching or reading up on it, I was thinking about it constantly, and it was always on my mind, keeping me up at night. But eventually, I realized some things. Knowing every single update and turn of events doesn't change what is happening or what I am doing at home. I was just addicted to them like they're the modern version of soap operas and you want to know how this scandal/issue ends. Since I'm not an activist (anymore - the panic attacks and cold sweat had me opting out after 4 months), if I don't need to pack my bags or go out to vote, I literally don't need to know more than "oh yeah this thing happened", or go "oh dang that's too bad" and then dismiss the insanity, giving it no more thought (dismissing it again when it comes back like a boomerang). My anxiety can't handle more than that, at least not as it is now. I also learned as a very short-lived activist, that it doesn't make sense to focus on multiple issues - pick one you care about, that's the only one you really need to be super informed about if you're going that route. Not every little scandal and issue development. So me being "more informed about current events" is like, maybe for 15m (on a timer I use) once a week or so I skim headlines and do some light reading, checking up on Substack or whatever. Avoid influencers and journalists who are upset and stuff (yes, we really should be upset - but it rubs off on me and makes me panic shake and keeps me up at night and checking their accounts for updates). I can be informed without doing any deep dives or having my own hot takes on things. And I realized something else after this hiatus started - no one seems to be talking about news or political issues in real life - from time to time there is a mention or someone expressing grief for our current times - but then it's over and people just resume going about their days and enjoying each-others company. I really thought more people were super involved like I was. I was an outlier apparently, at least in my own social eco-system. I have been learning to fill my time with positive news, like learning about the lab-stage breakthroughs for integrated photovoltaic materials in Switzerland (meaning they are not ready for commercial production, but they are proven to be viable). Like whaaaa that is bonkers! I'm not hiding under my pillow - I'm feeling inspired and expansive, excited, even!! :D There are so many exciting things happening on this earth, and we wouldn't know it because, that's not good ratings I guess! Turn your good news tags on, it can really make a difference. And find topics in good or neutral news that interest you - for me it is solar tech, because I had no idea how fascinating it was. I love learning about new developments (but they are slow coming) when they come. I have other interests too, that I didn't have before when I was filling 90% of my free time with current events. Explore, discover, find a balance, be free. :) https://interestingengineering.com/energy/solar-cells-that-charge-dim-office-light

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I can feel the social guilt leaving my body xD

[thought-glimmers-of-ree]

The more I heal my crippling anxiety, the more this truth seeps deep into my bones.

[thought-glimmers-of-ree]

Aww, heck yeah! I Now I'm extra proud of my Duck Duck Go sticker on my laptop! xD

The filter relies on manually curated open-source blocklists, including the ‘nuclear’ list, provided by uBlockOrigin and uBlacklist Huge AI Blocklist,” DuckDuckGo said in a post on X. “While it won’t catch 100% of AI-generated results, it will greatly reduce the number of AI-generated images you see.

Left: AI filter is off Right: AI filter is on