The World isn't Nearly as Terrible as We Think (or is it?)

As soon as we turn on the radio or television, or scroll through our social media feeds, a rush of tragic events scourges our minds. From pandemics to street violence, from clashes between countries to changes in climate: if we immerse ourselves in these messages long enough, the world becomes a terrible place.

When it’s all doom and gloom out there, one’s view of the outside world tends to be bleak. This video shares a couple of things that might change such bleak views by explaining why the world probably isn’t as terrible as we think, but, at the same time, it actually is.

The World isn't Nearly as Terrible as We Think (or is it?)

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Archival footage:

00:00 - Intro
01:34 - Information is profit
03:16 - Selective perception
04:26 - The rabbit hole
06:55 - Things change, but don't
09:42 - We create reality

#echochamber #socialmedia #fakenews

[yasmin]

The timing on this one was perfect. I have been obsessed with the news for the past 5 years here in the US, especially what has been going on politically. I made a conscience decision to drastically limit my intake, I feel so much better.

[kenolson]

Seneca wrote; "life isn't short we just waste most of it". Cut the cable. Avoid social media. Develop healthy relationships. Seek the truth. Building a better world starts at home.

[boo.]

An old political science professor of mine visited the area I live in the US during the height of the 2016 political hysteria. I took him out to lunch just at a typical burger restaurant to catch up. When we got there we ordered our food like normal and sat down and the first thing he said was "you know, it's sometimes very hard where I live to remember that people don't hate each other as much as the news says, but that girls smile and kindness really helped", it never even occurred to me, but my professor was an older white man, and the woman who took our order was a young black girl. It always stuck with me how the simple warmness and smile of that young girl moved him so much, to remind him that the world isn't always so bad as it seems when you're so hooked into the political / news world like he was.

[robertocanalesmunoz]

"It is not famine, not earthquakes, not microbes, not cancer, but man himself who is man's greatest danger to man, for the simple reason that there is no adequate protection against psychic epidemics, which are infinitely more devastating than the worst of natural catastrophes". - C. Jung

[puremaledark]

Ive said it many times:
The best thing about the internet is that everyone has a voice.
The worst thing about the internet is that everyone has a voice.

[the_sixxness]

I often say "The world hasn't gotten worse. It was always this way. You just hear about it more." 24 hour news channels, politically motivated echo chambers, social media websites ect. have changed the information game.

[UnforgivenIV]

I cut down my news and social media intake when the pandemic hit, and I can honestly say I haven't missed any of it. Sure, nobody knew where it was going, but I figured the important details would find their way to me. I've noticed that many UK newspapers frequently use the word 'fear' somewhere on their front pages, but realistically, what do I have to be scared about on a day to day level? Very little.

I'm of the opinion that if I'm destined to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and get caught in a terrorist attack or plane crash etc, that's how it was supposed to be.

[TEAforMIND]

“Only in quiet waters things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.” - Hans Margolius.

Love the way you make examples of nature at the end of the video ❤️

[sonnydayz]

I’ll only worry when the sun doesn’t appear for a week. Life is great
My 97 year old grandmother always says “ don’t worry just live each day “
She’s totally healthy no issues and so am I

[thechancellor-]

To the *incredible person* that's seeing this, I wish you all the best in life❤ don't over blame yourself, accept things and go forward. Don't let others define what “success” is for you. Get up, learn the skills needed and get after it, all the keys to a happy life is in your hands. Keep pushing.

[jonathanjollimore]

Most of it's not worth your time and the small bits that are worth your time are drowned out by a sea of nonsense

[jinchoung]

"your focus determines your reality." - qui gon jinn

[ash]

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”
Marcus Aurelius was spot on. And his wisdom is just as important now than ever before.
Thank you for this deep dive into the dark side of media consumption & the damaging effects of social engineering. You speak the truth when so many others attempt (and sadly succeed) to deceive, manipulate & control the masses. Wishing you much health & continued success with your channel!

[FelixSkura]

Looking at life from a different perspective makes you realize that it's not the deer that is crossing the road, rather it's the road that is crossing the forest.

[alyssaleatham]

After years of having my shades down and TV on, living in fear of what they told me was outside, I opened my window and saw the truth. I haven't closed it since but I have turned off my tv. I get my news from the birds and they are happily tweeting!

[JackSparrow-reql]

As much as I like this channel, this video doesn't agree with me.

While I agree that mass media news and social media itself cannot be trusted; there is still a massive amount of suffering out there. And that suffering is never going to change or go away. Make no mistake; terrible things are taking place as we speak.

The only silver lining is that a lot of good, love and happiness is also taking place as well. The Buddhist approach to this; is to go beyond the suffering and accept it as a part of life.

Being constantly aware of suffering will drive you insane with depression, grief and paranoia. It will not help you spread good karma, nor will it bring more good/happiness into this world. Good leads to good, happiness to happiness; its a state of mind you must learn to control at will to be the best being you can be; its hard work, and not easy.

In a nutshell; we must never ignore, shut out or shun suffering. But we must never give in to the negativity to the point we become vessels of misery, fear and hate in the world.

[Mideezhanti]

Thanks for articulating this. I've always tried to keep a "zoomed out" perspective on things as well, and I think people perceive it as being apathetic because I don't keep up with every bit of news happening in the world. Because it's the same shit over and over, and will continue to repeat itself to infinity!

[HareKrishnaPerth]

the best thing I've done is turn off the TV, I am also learning to ignore media that I have not actively seeked out. (E.g. I search for particular content when I choose to be online, without being tempted by click bait, recommendations, or those damn #shorts)

[ReynaSingh]

There’s a tendency to focus on the negatives. the world is composed of the events and ideas that we give our attention to.

[JM]

As I read the comments I only wish their was more people like all of you. Thanks for keeping my head up. May their be sun on your backs and wind beneath your wings.