topic Re: What content do you consume? in BB Social Zone

What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Thu, 09 May 2024 02:46:15 GMT

Hope this is the right place for this post.

Lately I've noticed reading the news and social media increases my anxiety, so I've made the conscious decision to not really read either of them.

News is a funny one, because I like being up to date but it always bad news or something overly sensationalised.

I gave "good news" websites a go but didn't find it overly interesting.

Now my struggle is filling in my downtime. I'm playing a lot of mindless mobile games and that's about it.

So, wondering what others do?

Re: What content do you consume?

indigo22 — Thu, 09 May 2024 04:39:43 GMT

Hi Whatsinaname,

You have made a good decision in my opinion. I have not read a newspaper or watched the news in more years than I can count. The way media is set up is designed to keep the population in a state of fear and uncertainty which makes the population more controllable. I would suggest filling your time with learning something new, reading, a hobby, a sport, listening to your favorite music. Create a bucket list of things you have always wanted to try, and start ticking them off. It will be a much more enjoyable way to spend your time and reduce anxiety in the process.

Hope that helps.

take care,

indigo

Re: What content do you consume?

Fiatlux — Thu, 09 May 2024 04:48:45 GMT

Hi Whatsinaname,

I absolutely get it…

I do watch some news on the non commercial tv channels but, that’s it for news. It just makes me cry mainly in sheer horror and frustration about the World.

At the end of a stressful day, I need something light and funny. I need something mindless at times like MasterChef just for the sake of it.

I have switched between YouTube and admittedly Instagram for content. I try not to get obsessed with it and I am selective about what I follow. I am now understanding algorithms as videos pop in that may interest me.

On the weekend I watch a little bit of A League football, not AFL though and occasionally even NRL. Even before the Women’s Football World Cup I loved women’s football but I don’t have any pay TV, so settle for the free to air.

On Insta I do enjoy the good news stuff from around the World, but it’s not enough to take my mind off Gaza and the genocide that is happening right now.

Our World is such a contradiction. I am watching cooking and quiz shows like Mastermind while others are sheltering from bombs.

It’s no wonder why I too get lost in online scrabble games at times like these. Peace Fiatlux 🙏🏼

Re: What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Thu, 09 May 2024 06:26:07 GMT

Thank you both for the suggestions.

I potentially should have pointed out I generally do this at work 😂. At home I have 2 small kids and wife to entertain me, we tend to watch some absolutely terrible reality tv after the kids go to bed.

I recently deactivated my personal Facebook as I couldn't stop judging my life against everyone else's. I know Facebook is only the highlight reel, but I do the same for strangers in public so it doesn't help me much 🙄.

I've been really enjoying meditation so I'm trying to work out how to incorporate something like that as background noise at work. But all I find is very intense people telling me to face my fears and all will be okay or really old recordings of people talking about stuff I don't yet understand.

Instagram is something I've never really gotten into, I do fall prey to a lot of doom scrolling on tiktok but that has been deleted too.

Re: What content do you consume?

Fiatlux — Thu, 09 May 2024 07:58:38 GMT

That’s great…

I still haven’t watched an episode of Bluey, but I think I might get into it now.

So, who’s winning on Farmer Wants A Insta Wife. 😄

Re: What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Thu, 09 May 2024 23:42:21 GMT

I've seen every episode of Bluey. Really well written for a kids show. Does make me envious of how great of a dad Bandit is, but I also realise it's a cartoon dog that rarely seems to work.

No farmer wants a wife yet, thankfully, we are currently watching a show called the circle

Re: What content do you consume?

Ggrand — Fri, 10 May 2024 01:24:29 GMT

Hello Dear Whatsinaname,

Like a lot of other people, I haven’t watched the news or read a newspaper in a lot of years…I have been told that I am very unaware of what’s happening in our world….To keep myself safe I have created my own little safe world….Eventually I find out what’s happening because my workmates generally make it the topic of conversation at morning tea and lunch…if it get to much for me, I’ll move away…

I am not a fan of tv at all….I do like the game shows though…Tipping Point, The Chase, Deal or no deal….Definately not the reality tv shows…..I have an app on my phone called “Tubi” it’s a free movie app, I can pick out what I want to watch….Even though I’m late 60’s in age I like to watch family movies along with Faith movies….these genres are mostly non violent and have a good feel about them….

I do play word puzzle games on my iPad…they make me use my brain to sort things out…another thing I like to do…is go on YouTube and watch my favourite bands performing live…as well as search YouTube for the things I’m interested in…

My son told me that you can buy a simple gadget I think it’s called google chrome cast around (80$)…that lets you watch YouTube,Tubi etc. through your tv….I haven’t bought it as yet…but will soon….

Kind thoughts Dear Whatsinaname..

Grandy..

Re: What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Fri, 10 May 2024 02:38:07 GMT

Hi G,

You're son is spot on with a chrome cast, or you can get a smart tv that has it all built in now.

I find myself needing to do similar at work, there is some topics that I just really don't want to think about at times of high sensitivity.

Word games are also really good, although I seem to be somewhat addicted to a kiddy game where you gather resources and build things. I think I like the aspect of being in full control a little to much 😆

I find myself reading reddit a lot, not sure that's a good idea or not sometimes too.

Re: What content do you consume?

Fiatlux — Fri, 10 May 2024 04:11:42 GMT

Hi everyone and yes, thank God and the unions that it’s Friday,

I love the idea of Chrome Cast.

We have 3 very large flat screen televisions that we can’t or don’t watch. They work perfectly well but are not smart enough to receive all channels let alone connect to wifi. I can’t give them away for free as they’re pretty useless now.

My husband won a giant 3D television possibly about 10 years ago. This works perfectly except that it too isn’t smart enough so we don’t have Netflix or anything. Until this blows up we’re not getting a new one. I can get abc iview for anything that I may want to watch.

I am certainly going to watch Eurovision on SBS this year. When we were younger, we used to watch Eurovision bits and pieces that SBS would show, for a bit of a laugh. Even my parents laughed at the often hilarious performances. I think since Australia has been allowed to join, it has gotten better and I take it seriously now. Go Electric Fields! They’re Deadly!

Other than that I am going to enjoy A League football that’s free to air.

I am going to try to stay off Instagram as I fear I will get into an online fight with someone. Arguing with anyone online is another sign of madness 🤪

Have a good weekend everyone. Fiatlux 🙏🏼

Re: What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Fri, 10 May 2024 05:04:17 GMT

yeah fighting on the internet will never end well, there is no winning.

chrome cast's are exactly what you need by the sound of it. Cheaper than a TV and certainly do the job. If you're not great with technology definitely get someone to help as they can be a bit of a pain to set up, well used to be when I last used one but might have gotten better.

Hope you have a good weekend too!

Re: What content do you consume?

randomxx — Fri, 10 May 2024 12:32:17 GMT

Yeah there's been many a time over the yrs l've had to stop watching news but the problem is there is some stuff l like to know.

Australian news though has become unbearable the way they insist on bombarding us with every death and gruesome thing that's happened for the day it's sickening. And they do it with a total disrespect for families and loved ones concerned with plastering huge full screen pictures and headlines , names and every detail all the way through and over and over.

l actually suspect that between the morbidity and total insensitivity of our commercial news's in this country coupled with their channels ridiculous scare mongering horror ad tactics on just about anything that can hurt you, it's all actually influencing the total lack of sensitivity or depth in Australia these days.

l actually believe that by being so in your face the way they are, it could even be influencing the insane violence that seems to be running ramped now just by getting into peoples subconscious none stop every time they turn on the tv.

On the other hand, l watch SBS new's from all over the world sometimes even NZ. Now l don't know if they're just special filtered editions they put out here or just skimmed , but most of them hardly even talk about murders or accidents they mostly seem to go into more worldly type stuff or other things concerning their particular country.

lf anyone here has been around over seas long enough to actually watch different news's , l'd actually like to hear about the content .

l also believe all the scare mongering and threatening tactics they use in their ads here basically trying to beat our people into submission , totally kills good will , kindness, honesty , mutual support of and to ea other and as l said, what little depth and soul , sensitivity, is left.

Those are the sorts of vibe they should be putting out and creating through our people but imo instead, they're destroying it.

Even our pollies, they don't talk about looking after ea other or being friends with other countries just bc and with good will, or bc they're our neighbours, they talk about in a way of what's in it for us or the economy it's disgusting.

At any rate, excuse the rant it's been a long time coming.

As far as hearing about what l do want to within any news, l either watch sbs, or flick between two news's on the commercial channels. When one starts getting into the latest horror, l quickly flick to the other, and go back and forth like that.

However, it's all just getting too much of late and l think the only way for me soon will be just living in ignorance and not watching any of it any more. lt's just getting too much.

Re: What content do you consume?

randomxx — Fri, 10 May 2024 13:47:53 GMT

These days l usually scan a few forums l'm in or watch a bit of YT stuff l'm into or music.

TV , movies if SBS has anything going at the time. Can't bear the commercial channels these days with their ad barrage every 4 or 5mins right through a movie even if the do have something watchable, rare.

Or l run YT movies through the tv, did have Netflix for awhile but can't stand the Americanism of it and there's so many others now l don't even know where to begin so YT gets me by.

Re: What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Sat, 11 May 2024 03:07:31 GMT

Hi RX,

Really interesting that you've noticed Australia is worse than other countries, that's something I'd never even considered

Re: What content do you consume?

randomxx — Sat, 11 May 2024 05:33:19 GMT

Hi there op.

Well it certainly is by about 10fold in ANYTHING, os news l can find, 10 fold. How filtered and sifted through those are before we get them here, don't know. But they do usually seem to run their natural course from headlines, sport and then weather. There never seems to be any disconnecting chops missing.

l did have a friend come back from the UK though after living over there 10yrs, and she could not believe our news and ads here.

She literally couldn't watch it.

Re: What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Sat, 11 May 2024 07:42:25 GMT

Well if nothing else I'm glad it's not just me that gets anxious/depressed by the news.

I'm current watching kids cartoons, with the kids so I have an excuse 😄

Re: What content do you consume?

Ggrand — Sat, 11 May 2024 08:29:58 GMT

Hello Dear Whatsinaname…..🤗..

I think you are an amazing dad, how beautiful for your children to be able to sit and watch cartoons and having a great time laughing, enjoying themselves, spending quality time with together and making lovely memories…❤️🤖🐘🦉🐛🐌🦖🦕🐙.

Kind thoughts Dear Whatsinaname…

Grandy..

Re: What content do you consume?

Whatsinaname — Sat, 11 May 2024 10:05:21 GMT

Thanks so much G, you have no idea how much that means to me.

Funny story, well I think it is anyway, my son told me he does meditation at school. Which I think is great, and I told him that I meditate when he is asleep so if he ever wants to do it together we can.

At bed time tonight I played a 6 minute kids gratitude meditation and he fell asleep haha. He was doing all the breathing etc, then just nodded off. Probably my favourite meditation I've ever done 😍

Re: What content do you consume?

randomxx — Sat, 11 May 2024 10:45:54 GMT

Haa, l use to watch all that stuff with my daughter op.

Telly Tunnies was my all time fav, we loved that show and whenever l see a clip of it now the memories, still melt ha ha.

But l also hear you on the other reasons and l often sit in mental bliss with God knows what on tv, like cooking shows or cartoons.

Re: What content do you consume?

randomxx — Sat, 11 May 2024 10:52:47 GMT

Ahhh, Telly Tubbies .

ps, l also watch mostly SBS movies thankfully escaping the force fed Americanism in this country on the commercial rubbish.

Particularly Japaneses movies , just love them but also anything European .

l've been thinking about meditation myself lately.

How have you found it ?

Re: What content do you consume?

Happylife — Tue, 14 May 2024 03:18:08 GMT

Hi Whatsinaname,

Yes 100% agree with you, these news and related topics only makes us feel more sad and sometimes even guilty for no fault of ours. They just do it for higher ratings, the more they hype it up the more people will watch (that's what they think). We can't control what they show but we can definitely control what we watch.

Maybe try watching game shows or general knowledge shows such as 8 out of 10 Countdown, The Chase, Deal or No Deal, Would I Lie to You etc. they are funny and also informative.

You can also try learning a new language or a musical instrument, it's so much fun and keeps your brain and mind active.

It's great to see you spending time with the kids watching cartoon movies, they are the best and the memories last forever. I still love to watch movies like Shrek, Despicable Me etc.😊 no matter what your age.

Hope you are feeling better.

Take care🙏

Happylife