Things You'll Need:
- an open mind
- alternate news sources
-
Step 1
When a big news story sweeps the national media, ask yourself why. Of course everyone takes interest in a missing child or a miraculous plane crash, but the reality is that stories like this do not effect an entire nation. The news that is most important in your life is probably available, if you do a little digging.
-
Step 2
Have we gone to war? What bills have just passed in Congress? If you're unable to find this information through big American media channels, try the BBC News, or National Public Radio.
-
Step 3
How do these issues affect my local community? Check your hometown newspaper to see how national issues affect local jobs, the economy, and housing markets. There will likely be little mention of localized events on the other side of the country--however, there may be mention of local soldiers serving overseas, or the difficulties they are facing once they've returned home.
-
Step 4
When your friends bring up the big national news fluff piece around the water cooler at work, let them know about the news they are missing. Instead of fawning over who is wearing what to the Inauguration, ask them if they've thought about where the money for the $700 billion bank bailout is coming from, for example. You don't have to express an opinion on the topic--just bringing it up will be enough.
-
Step 5
Set a limit on how much TV news you watch. Hearing the same story over and over again does not make it more important.
