Issue #242: Turn Off Negative News
Good morning. It’s Thursday, September 21st.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: No More Negative News
Speed Read: Beauty of Breath Biomarkers
Thursday Night In: Shakshuka
“Bad news travels fast. Good news takes the scenic route.”
The average increase in click-rate for every “negative” word in an online news media headline. So that’s why the world is always ending. (Source)
From the Lab
You’re not wrong…the media really is more negative than ever - and it’s not just social media.
We aren’t living in a world where you simply subscribe to the local newspaper anymore.
Every single media company has to fight for every click and eyeball - newsrooms are cutting staff, real journalism is becoming a niche industry, and soon AI will take over what we read.
Just look at the Stat of the Day - the average headline is 14 words and for every word that’s “negative” the click rate increases by 2.3%.
We’re also more likely to share news stories or social posts with negative headlines. But…60% of people share headlines WITHOUT reading past the headline itself.
What editor wouldn’t lean on more dystopian news stories when their job depends on fighting through the noise to get consumers to click on their site?
There’s even more detailed research to show which specific emotion drives clicks, and which repel clicks. Headlines invoking sadness increase clicks, while headlines meant to drive joy decrease clicks.
But it gets worse - if you really want to go viral, it’s not enough to be negative. A media post that references a rival politician (e.g., liberal politician from a conservative source) has a 67% increased chance of being shared, compared to a positive post about a politician that source supports.
And that’s why we’ll never stop seeing divisive news all over the Internet. Most businesses and even influencers don’t care what they’re promoting - they just care about getting the most eyeballs.
Why are we programmed to react to bad news?
From an evolution standpoint it makes sense - we remember information that was required for survival. Where do venomous snakes most often attack, which plants make us sick. We needed that information.
It’s like watching a group of college kids listening to a lecture - as soon as the professor says, “And here’s what will be on the test…” - all of the sudden the survival instinct turns on and they actually pay attention.
There are two other psychological factors that drive us towards this negative, divisive news - confirmation bias and a sense of identity.
Putting down the opposition confirms our suspicions that our viewpoint or party/candidate actually is superior. We need this confirmation to feel more confident in our beliefs.
Similarly, by dunking on our opponents we boost our own group and feel more connected to the identity of the group we’ve aligned ourselves with - it’s our tribe.
Negativity & Our Health
Why are we talking about this? Because our increased exposure to news - we literally can’t avoid it - is crushing our mental health with high chronic stress and increased anxiety.
Spending too much time on negative news changes our perception of the world without realizing it. This is one reason that despite a lot of progress across the globe, surveys today always point to the majority of us believing the world is going to hell.
The inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) is the part of the brain that filters out bad news and helps us stay optimistic (Issue #167). But too much negative news can erode the function of the IFG.
To get back to a positive - or at least neutral mindset - don’t let online and social media sites dictate your news. Here are 5 tips to avoid the negativity trap:
Limit the amount of time you spend checking non-work related news
Don’t start or end your day on your phone reading the news
Unfollow negative social media accounts
Change your news sources to fact-based sites not designed to instill emotion
Think about what news serves you and what you don’t need
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
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Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
The Beauty of Breath Biomarkers: Since 1979, deaths due to liver disease have increased by 400% - most commonly caused by hepatitis, obesity and alcoholism. We often find out when it’s too late because biopsy tests are invasive and thus only prescribed when symptoms emerge. What if there was a non-invasive alternative using only our breath? (Big Think)
Another Use for Magnets: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was approved over a decade ago, and it has been successful in learning how the brain works. But…it’s been moderately effective in treatment. In an early clinical trial, patients with severe depression who received daily TMS for several weeks were 4x more likely to go into remission. (Knowable)
MDMA for PTSD: If you recall, MDMA (Issue #233) is known as an empathogen - it boosts dopamine and serotonin levels to enhance an experience. A second study has been released by MAPS with promising results for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD (Issue #234). Further studies and much more debate between mental health practitioners still to come prior to FDA approval. (NYTimes)
Thursday Night In | Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a popular North African and Middle Eastern dish with a rich history. Its exact origins are debated, but the name comes from the Tunisian word for “shaken up.” The dish has grown in popularity across the world due to its adaptability - it can be served at any meal, and the ingredients can easily be adjusted to fit your tastes. The best part: the meal is low-carb, high in protein, rich in nutrients and just tastes good.
Pro Tip: If you want to adjust your spice, you can go with mild (less spicy), regular or hot (super spicy) harissa - or remove altogether. It’s up to you!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.