In a world overflowing with information, we are more connected and aware than ever. Yet, despite our relentless news consumption, we find ourselves increasingly ignorant. The headlines blur together—earthquakes in Sumatra, plane crashes in Russia, terrorist attacks in Pakistan—yet they fail to provide substantial insight into our lives or the larger picture of the world. Do you need to know all these things?
This avalanche of daily stories has become a toxic form of knowledge, a kind of intellectual sugar that is easy to digest but ultimately harmful. Just as sugar leaves the body craving more while offering little nutritional value, the constant stream of news offers short-term excitement but no lasting understanding. It’s fast food for the mind, keeping us distracted and misinformed.
The Experiment: Turning Off the News
Three years ago, I decided to undertake an experiment that would transform my relationship with information. My decision wasn’t born from cynicism toward the media but from a deep-seated curiosity: What would happen if I disconnected from the news cycle entirely? In a world that prides itself on being hyper-informed, I wanted to see how my life would change if I completely removed myself from the constant barrage of headlines, updates, and breaking news.
First, I canceled all my subscriptions—to newspapers, magazines, and even the digital news outlets I frequented. I deleted news apps from my phone and took extra steps to avoid the free newspapers offered at airports or public transportation hubs. I also made a concerted effort to ignore the televisions broadcasting the latest news updates in waiting rooms or coffee shops. I wanted to create a cocoon of silence where I could cultivate a more deliberate, thoughtful way of consuming information.
At first, the withdrawal was intense. The instinct to check the news for updates lingered, even as I consciously refrained. I felt a gnawing sense of unease, fearing that I was missing something important. Was there a major event happening somewhere in the world that I should know about? Was I being left behind in conversations? But after a few weeks, that anxiety began to subside. Instead of feeling disconnected, I felt a sense of calm and clarity I hadn’t realized I was missing. Without the constant influx of headlines, my thoughts became more organized and my time more intentional. I found myself reading more books, having richer conversations, and engaging with the world on my terms rather than being swept along by the tide of information.
After several months of this news-free lifestyle, the biggest surprise came: I didn’t miss anything important. I didn’t need to obsessively monitor newsfeeds or social media updates. The people around me my real-world network—friends, family, colleagues—kept me updated on the things that mattered most. They became my news filter, offering me only the information that was truly relevant and meaningful. I regained control over my mental and emotional bandwidth by stepping away from the noise. The clarity I gained from removing myself from the constant flood of information made it possible to focus on more important aspects of life.
This experiment revealed a profound truth: staying informed doesn’t mean being overwhelmed with information. By limiting my exposure to news, I wasn’t sacrificing my awareness of the world; instead, I was cultivating a deeper, more purposeful engagement with it.
The Three Main Reasons to Avoid News
1. Our Brains Are Wired to Overreact to News
Humans are instinctively wired to respond to loud, dramatic, and immediate stimuli. This tendency evolved as a survival mechanism. Early humans needed to react quickly to threats in their environment, whether they were wild animals, approaching storms, or rival tribes. Those who could pay attention to sudden changes and respond to them were more likely to survive. Today, however, the media is exploiting this ancient wiring.
News outlets have learned to craft stories that appeal to these instincts. They focus on dramatic, sensational events that evoke strong emotional reactions—fear, outrage, shock—because these stories grab our attention and engage us. The more dramatic and fast-moving the event, the more likely we will tune in and stay glued to the screen. This is why the media often focuses on stories of violence, scandal, or disaster. These events elicit an emotional response that our brains can’t easily ignore, creating a kind of urgency that forces us to stay engaged.
But this doesn’t mean these stories are inherently important or valuable. The news industry capitalizes on our brain’s predisposition to respond to emotionally charged stories, often leading to a disproportionate focus on sensationalism. Meanwhile, more thoughtful, nuanced, or abstract subjects—such as long-term societal trends or complex political issues—often don’t provoke the same visceral reaction. Our brains are wired to ignore what doesn’t seem urgent, even though these issues might be far more relevant to our lives in the long run.
The media’s business model is built around this dynamic: advertisers pay for the opportunity to place ads in front of emotionally engaged audiences. The more sensational the story, the more people tune in. As a result, what gets the most attention in the news isn’t necessarily what’s most important. This creates a skewed perception of reality, where we become obsessed with issues that feel urgent but may be relatively inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. We become disconnected from the larger, more complex issues that require thoughtful reflection and action.
2. News Is Irrelevant
If we step back and reflect on the news we consume, it quickly becomes apparent that most of it is irrelevant to our lives. Ask yourself: how many news stories have helped you make better decisions in the past year? Out of the thousands of headlines flashed across your screens, how many provided real insight that positively impacted your career, health, or relationships? Most people can’t even remember the details of most of the stories they encountered—let alone identify a piece of news that made a tangible difference to their lives.
This is where the fallacy of news consumption lies. News outlets promise to keep us informed and give us the edge to stay competitive in business, politics, and life. But in reality, most of the information they provide is irrelevant and unhelpful. These stories rarely provide us with actionable knowledge or valuable insight. Instead, they offer fragmented updates on topics that don’t demand our immediate attention or action.
If news were genuinely the key to success or progress, journalists would occupy society’s highest social and financial positions. But they don’t. The fact that journalists—those closest to the stories—are not at the top of the financial pyramid speaks volumes about the true value of the news. It’s a business designed to grab attention, not to add value. The people who profit from the news aren’t disseminating it—they’re selling ads to a distracted audience. This system creates an illusion of relevance, but news consumption provides little more than noise.
As consumers, we often mistake staying updated for staying informed. However, true knowledge comes not from the headlines but from deep, focused learning. Books, long-form articles, and academic research provide far more valuable insight into the world than the snippets and soundbites we encounter in the media. By focusing on what’s truly important, we can filter out the noise and make better decisions based on information that matters.
3. News Wastes Time
The most tangible and undeniable cost of news consumption is its time. It’s easy to underestimate how much time we spend on the news, but when we consider it, it becomes evident how much of our day is consumed by it. On average, people spend several hours each week—sometimes even more—reading headlines, watching news broadcasts, or checking social media for updates. This time could be better spent on activities that truly enhance our lives.
Think about a major global event, like the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The world was glued to its screens, watching the tragedy unfold in real time. For hours, billions of people tuned in to watch minute-by-minute updates, listen to expert commentary, and follow the ever-changing details. This was not just a tragedy; it became a global spectacle. Extrapolating the amount of time people spent watching the coverage—a billion people watched for just one hour—results in one billion hours of wasted time.
When we consider the cost, it becomes staggering. One billion hours of lost productivity is a tremendous drain on global human potential. In other words, the time spent consuming news about the Mumbai attacks could be considered an even greater tragedy than the loss of life itself. When we add up all the hours spent on news consumption globally, it’s easy to see how much time is wasted on stories that offer little personal or professional growth.
This time could have been used more productively: working, learning, engaging in creative pursuits, or simply enjoying quality time with loved ones. Instead, we devote precious hours to staying informed about events that, while tragic, do not require our constant attention. In a world where time is the most valuable resource, news consumption represents a significant waste. If we want to reclaim our time, we must break free from the grip of the news cycle.
A New Approach: Books and Long-Form Content
Instead of devoting hours to the latest headlines, a more enriching and intellectually satisfying approach is to consume long-form content. Books, long essays, and in-depth articles offer an entirely different experience from the news, which is fast-paced and superficial. While news provides instant gratification and momentary excitement, books give us something far more valuable: context, understanding, and depth.
Books, particularly nonfiction, provide the space to explore complex ideas and delve into topics requiring more than just a cursory glance. Books allow us to engage with information at a much deeper level, whether it’s a historical account, a philosophical treatise, or a deep dive into a scientific theory. Instead of being bombarded with fleeting facts, we can take the time to reflect, analyze, and synthesize the knowledge we gain.
What makes books particularly powerful is their ability to foster critical thinking. When you read a book, you’re not just absorbing facts; you’re engaging with the author’s arguments, questioning assumptions, and challenging your beliefs. Long-form content allows you to think for yourself rather than passively accepting the opinions of others.
Moreover, books provide lasting value. Unlike news stories, which are quickly forgotten, the lessons learned from a good book can stay with you for a lifetime. Books shape our worldview and equip us with the tools to navigate complex challenges. They allow us to see the connections between ideas and develop a deeper understanding of the world.
We reclaim our intellectual independence by prioritizing books and long-form content over the news. We move from being passive information consumers to active participants in our learning journey. This shift enriches our minds and empowers us to make more informed, thoughtful decisions in every aspect of our lives.
The Bottom Line: Reclaim Your Time and Mental Clarity
Turning off the news is more than just a way to reclaim your time—it’s an opportunity to clear the mental clutter that impedes true understanding. When you stop consuming sensationalized, irrelevant information, you create space for deeper thinking, more meaningful connections, and a greater focus on what truly matters. By choosing books, long-form content, and real-world conversations over the transient nature of news, you improve your productivity and enrich your life in ways that news never could.
Ultimately, the choice is yours: continue feeding the news machine, break free from its grasp, and develop a more thoughtful, intentional approach to information consumption. The world doesn’t need more passive consumers—people who engage, think critically, and take deliberate action. Let go of the news. Your time, your mind, and your life will thank you for it.
This article is part of The Art of Thinking Clearly Series based on Rolf Dobelli’s book.