It’s been one week since the inauguration of the new U.S. president and I don’t think I have ever paid so much attention to U.S. politics before. I am trying not to get caught up in a… “What did Trump do today?” sort of thing. I am feeling quite confused about what and how much I should be paying attention to… if at all. Other questions: Where should I look and read to stay informed? Am I aware of how algorithms are determining what I read? Yesterday I read Dean Shareski’s post about similar thoughts and questions (he links other good reading as well). A few of his points/positions resonated with me, including:
In the end, many of us are getting obese on information. I know some would argue that’s the price we have to pay. We are forced to stay informed. But staying informed today with being somewhat misinformed is extremely challenging.”
I recently changed my “Twitter bio” to mention that I was using Twitter to stay informed. Lately though, I have been a bit disturbed by what I have been informed about. Maybe things will settle down soon… It still makes me feel a bit lost and I wonder if there is any point to individuals blogging, tweeting or responding with all the information (and manipulation?) and news (and “fake news”) blasting out lately. (Well, some of the humorous responses have eased the tension some!)
Donna Miller Fry has been tackling the topic about the challenges of our current internet and online/social media worlds through a series of “10 posts in 10 days” on her blog. She has really dug into some important questions and current realities. She is listing all 10 posts with further good reading and listening here.
Lots to digest and balance…
SheilaSpeaking 
Jan 28, 2017 @ 09:15:30
Regardless of one’s personal feelings, you cannot help but admit that we live in very interesting times. It is almost impossible not to pay attention to all the goings on south of the border. To totally tune it out would be like trying to turn your head away as a parade rolled down your street. However, I have largely stayed away from voicing my personal opinion on social media regarding the antics of the new American President. Yet I cannot help but notice how strongly some people’s emotions run on the subject. People are near hysteria, it seems! But hopefully, we can all eventually settle down as things begin to rest into a new kind of ‘normal” and the world does not come to a screeching halt. Until then, I suggest that we all practice being happy and kind as much as we possibly can. To coin an overused phrase “Keep calm and carry on.”
Jan 28, 2017 @ 22:30:12
Thank you for adding your thoughts and take on it all, Denise. Appreciate your suggestion for keeping on… !