Q: Noah, I feel inundated with news all day long. How can I tune out the drone and listen to only what's essential?
A: The news has become noise, massive chatter that's transmitted at lightning speed and nauseatingly repetitive. Every story is sold to the public as the most important event of our lifetime.
The implication: You must know everything!
Cable news hosts become neighbors: the grumpy old man, the hipster, the preacher, the straight-shooter. We start to think of them as friends. And then we are hooked, addicted to their specific chatter.
Generally, we like to stay within our comfort zones. We listen to the same channels, read the same papers, and buy into the words of like-minded "personal" blogger friends.
The problem is some rely on the news media as a life source. They become absorbed with information about the world and stop paying attention to what is going on in their real world.
If your kid is getting a C in math but it is not highlighted in ridiculous graphics, with big fancy letters, a theme song, and some crashing sound bites -- are you really present?
If your day is overwhelmed by op-ed pieces, I guarantee you are missing out on personal, local realities. This is the good stuff!
The listener has a responsibility. We are the one choosing to sit, absorb and consume all of the information being thrown our way.
Be selective about what you want to know, need to know and how much time you actually want to spend receiving this knowledge.
Do you need to read every editorial from the Wall Street Journal to the Village Voice?
Try and avoid constant overlap -- if it is humanly possible.
What do you enjoy learning about? I rarely read the style section of the New York Times. I am sure it is wonderfully written. However, the truth is I could care less about fashion.
My wardrobe may suffer from this, so be it. But I, as an individual have made this choice. To me, that time could be better spent elsewhere.
Still, many feel they get three gold stars for reading the entire New York Times! On some level, they do. At cocktail parties they are well-informed, become the guy/gal who knows a little bit about everything.
Very Impressive. Good for them. Just know that this is a choice they are making.
If you are sitting at Starbucks with 20 minutes to "waste" and you decide to watch an interview about Mitt Romney's reaction to President Obama's latest speech, make sure you care about Romney's reaction.
Why gather information on a subject you care little about? Some will say they do this to stay current, the responsibility of a well-informed citizen. Cool.
That is why Google rocks! Read what pops up. One or two lines. Get the sound bite -- 30 seconds. Move on.
Sometimes people struggle with knowing what they need to know. Be practical.
What do you do for a living? Figure out what information is out there that will help you to excel at your given profession.
What do you love? Figure out if the news you're gobbling speaks to your passions, deepening a comprehension of what already interests you.
This is why I always read the sports section of the Daily News and never miss the "Sports Reporters" on ESPN.
Thanks for your question, and remember if you miss the biggest headlines today -- there will always be a bigger one tomorrow!
Please send any questions or comments to "ASK NOAH" at nskass@gmail.com.
Have a profitable and peaceful week,
For more by Noah Kass, click here.
For more on mindfulness, click here.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.