As a lifelong learner with endless curiosity I read a lot. In recent years I've become increasingly concerned about the impact that consuming news has on our mental well-being and society as a whole.
In his 2020 book "Humankind: A Hopeful History" (on my recommended nonfiction list), Rutger Bregman poses this provocative question and answer:
Imagine for a moment that a new drug comes on the market. It’s super-addictive, and in no time everyone’s hooked. Scientists investigate and soon conclude that the drug causes, I quote, ‘a misperception of risk, anxiety, lower mood levels, learned helplessness, contempt and hostility towards others, [and] desensitization’. Would we use this drug? Would our kids be allowed to try it? Would government legalise it? To all of the above: yes...
That drug is the news...
The news, according to dozens of studies, is a mental health hazard.
In his 2020 book “Why We’re Polarized,” Ezra Klein discusses the media’s role in contributing to the systemic problem of polarization. He suggests that the media amplifies the loudest voices and often rewards content that stokes outrage, creating a feedback loop that feeds partisanship rather than fostering informed debate or persuasion.
News outlets have become businesses that measure success by the virality of their articles or posts. Consequently, the news landscape has shifted towards content that evokes fear, as it provokes a visceral emotional response and drives engagement. A 2023 Gallup poll found that only 34% of Americans trust mass media to report the news "fully, accurately and fairly" and "the percentage of Americans with no trust at all in the media is higher than the percentage with a great deal or a fair amount combined."
In light of this, five years ago I made a conscious decision to shift my reading habits towards books and blogs. Books offer the advantage of perspective, providing a longer lens and more in-depth, nuanced analysis of topics. They are not beholden to the issue of the moment and can explore different viewpoints without succumbing to the pressure of generating immediate engagement.
Similarly, quality bloggers, like authors of good books, delve deep into their subjects and support their analysis with facts and data. To be clear, not all blogs are inherently more reliable or nuanced than news articles. I curate the blogs I follow to represent a variety of viewpoints with a minimum of partisanship.
I've previously written about nonfiction books that I recently enjoyed and recommend. This is a list of bloggers that I regularly follow and value for their diverse perspectives, subject expertise, and data-driven analysis:
Stratechery by Ben Thompson, https://stratechery.com/
Ben Thompson is a veteran technology analyst and investor who writes about the strategy and business side of technology and media, and the impact of technology on society. The blog focuses on the business, strategy, and impact of technology. I recommend this for understanding market dynamics and how technology is shaping our world.
Marginal Revolution, https://marginalrevolution.com/
Tyler Cowen is a professor of economics at George Mason University, Bloomberg columnist, and author. The blog explores economics, public policy, and other social sciences through a lens of economic reasoning. Those curious about economic theories and their real-world applications will appreciate Cowen’s ability to dissect complex concepts into digestible content.
A Smart Bear, https://longform.asmartbear.com/
Jason Cohen is cofounder and Chief Technical Officer of WordPress hosting platform WP Engine. The blog is a terrific resource for strategy and general business. A terrific resource for practical strategies for growing and managing a successful business.
Jabberwocking, https://jabberwocking.com/
Kevin Drum is a partisan Democrat and realist with a blog that delves into the intersection of technology, society, and culture, offering commentary and analysis grounded in data. Readers looking for a data-driven perspective on current events and societal trends will find Drum’s analyses to be both informative and thought-provoking.
Explores the power of collective intelligence and the wisdom of crowds, potentially drawing on insights from various thought leaders including Shadi Hamid, Christine Emba, and Sam Kimbriel.
Longform, https://longform.org/
Features in-depth articles and essays on a variety of topics, including technology, culture, and business.
Jonathan Haidt is a psychologist, professor at the NYU Stern School of Business, and coauthor of the 2017 book "Coddling of the American Mind," and author of the 2024 book "The Anxious Generation" that I highly recommend about which I will write more soon. His blog focuses on of the momentous sociological and cultural changes of the past 15 years and solutions for reducing polarization and improving mental health.
The blog of statistician, author, and FiveThirtyEight founder Nate Silver. Analysis of elections, sports, and other topics using statistical methods.
Founded by Bari Weiss, The Free Press aims to publish investigative stories and provocative commentary.
You can subscribe to blogs via email or apps such as my platform Substack. I use Inoreader, a blog aggregator that brings together on one app all of the blogs I follow, allowing me to organize them into folders by topic.
By shifting your reading habits towards books and blogs, you can cultivate a more informed, nuanced understanding of the world while minimizing the negative psychological impact of consuming sensationalized news.
Peace through understanding.