My phone dings, beckoning me with its electronic siren song. I, being properly trained like one of Pavlov’s mutts, immediately pick it up. There’s knowledge to be had after all. And my phone is ready to share.
I quickly open Twitter. The world is at my thumb.
First tweet: The head of the Senate Foreign Relations committee said that President was treating his office like “a reality show.” And that his reckless threats could cause World War III.
World War III? Well that’s bad. I remember being terrified that the Soviets would nuke us. The show “The Day After,” in the 1980’s gave me nightmares. The President’s comments about North Korea are bringing them back. Next tweet: He vows to relatiate against the head of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Maybe Bob Corker will get nuked.
I continue to scroll. California is on fire again. Firestorms that move faster than cars are wiping out whole neighborhoods and are continuing to grow. I remember a firestorm when I lived in San Diego. It was scary as hell — no it was hell.
OK, phone, you’re not cheering me up.
Next tweet: Puerto Rico is still struggling to get back on the grid. Note to self, donate to local charity that is helping people on the island — I still remember what it was like on the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Katrina. At least Nate didn’t flatten the coast.
Dang. The news is a bit overwhelming today. Maybe entertainment news from Hollywood will cheer me up. Nothing like a little fluff to lighten the day.
Harvey Weinstein is trending. I flip through a few tweets. Oh. Yuck. I know — you’re innocent until proven guilty — but the accusations are really disgusting. And now the dominos are starting to fall with more people are coming out against him. He’s lost his job as the head of his own company. Being creepy and abusing power seems to a non-partisan trait. Allegedly, of course. But still — absolutely horrible. Time to move on.
A new Star Wars trailer! Luke Skywalker was my hero growing up. What? He’s old and grumpy!?! NO!!!!! I feel your pain Luke.
Maybe I see some sporting news to cheer me up. It’s a politics-free zone, right?
ESPN’s Jemele Hill has been suspended for some anti-Jerry Jones tweets. Twitter is hazardous to your professional health. Maybe I need to go to Facebook to see what’s on my friends’ minds. I could use some nice pictures of kids and cat videos. Instead I find a series of political rants about football. Yes son, when I was a kid, we just argued about the game, not the pregame. My hair immediately hurts.I quickly turn off Facebook. My anxiety level rises like the surge flowing through a casino parking garage.
My phone dings again. It’s calling to me again like, “You want more?” I hold it in my hand looking at it.
No, I don’t.
We can’t control the news we read day in and day out. But we can control how we react to it. I wish I could make politicians be rational. I wish I could stop fires and hurricanes. I wish I could make the world sane. But wishing doesn’t change things. Taking action in the world where you live does. I can focus my effort in helping my community be a better place.
My phone dinged yet again. I put it in the drawer.