I don't think "the news" is actually all that good at informing people. "This happened and then this happened, and now for the weather" are facts and information without context, and without any real meaning.

I haven't watched the news for years, or read the newspapers. I do real articles from magazines and newspapers and books and such (from HN, among other places), which are far more useful. I don't really know what's going on in Ukraine right this moment, but most will have forgotten that in two weeks time anyway, so what's the point? Instead I spent some time reading up on the context a few weeks ago.

The news is also strongly biased towards negative events. The classic example is that "plane crashed" is big news, but that planes are actually very safe. "Man spills pint and gets punched" is news. "Man spills pint and it's all fine" is not. etc. It's not a particularly good reflection of reality.

If you’re watching the news to be informed you’re still ignorant, but now unhappy and indignant about things you don’t understand.

The irresponsible thing is a whole industry bent on demoralizing and causing hate within the masses, ignorance might be less irresponsible

I’ve been thinking of splitting the difference and looking at news once a week. I guess that’s like the traditional Sunday newspaper.

Now I think it needs to allow for exceptions for events like now with Russia invading Ukraine.

I installed NOS's (the Dutch public broadcaster's) app on my phone and turned on push notifications. This way I get informed about important news, but can easily avoid everything else.

Why don't you just travel in time and get the news from the future?

Sorry you got downvoted, I thought it was a funny joke.

(Joke explanation: my username is Dutch for 'time traveller'.)

It's just internet points :-) I knew most wouldn't get the joke, but that was part of the joke.

Just read Lemonde Diplomatique

Cut NYT, CNN, The Guardian and all the rest, you'll be happier and will be better informed

I'm extremely skeptical of any suggestion to get your news from only one source, what do you think makes that source different?

Thanks for the recommendation, I’ve been looking for long form news.

On the contrary your whole goal should be to avoid the exceptions.

Agree but also disagree. This tweet captures it perfectly I think: https://twitter.com/nntaleb/status/1497943606962839552