The news is depressing.

The Flinstons had the same problem. Rogue dinosaurs, gangs raided their caves and stealing their food stockpile in dash and rob attacks, kidnapping and enslaving. Total and utter chaos.

And don't even get me started on the middle ages and the 19th century American West.

Difficult to be positive about the future if you lived during those times.

Humans will always be interested in bad things happening to other humans, because its how the human brain works. When we hear about these bad things our brain tells us to pay close attention because we might be able to learn something from it that we can use to protect us in the future.
On top of that the news makes it sound like the bad thing could hapoen to anyone or like its happening all the time when its not, but it does make people think they should watch more news so they can be aware and prepared of danger that might impact them.
Read this article by Gavin De Becker on fear tactics the media uses.

https://gdba.com/media-fear-tactics/

I watch only local news now. We're somewhat rural up here so it isn't bad.

Doom scrolling is a real thing. But the more you understand about the media landscape the more power you have to keep it a distance but still stay informed. Because of my work I know how the sausage gets made but it doesn't make me immune. You have to purposefully not allow it to take you over. What is sorely lacking in my opinion is a push to 'teach' people how to consume media so it doesn't consume them. And the big one there is to always, always consider the source and their goals. Some of the best journalism our country has ever had is taking place now. But it's up to the consumer to find it. I don't think most today are as interested in being informed as they are in having their beliefs met. Some seek out fear and anger. And bloggers, or purposefully manipulative 'media' outlets, can have just as much sway as hard news organizations. That's not right and tells me that when AI really starts to rear it's head we're going to be toast as societies. We're not prepared.

Thats the city .. we live out in the country..

It can be. I know some of what is talked about in the news effects my life, but most of it is rage porn. A lot of networks now want ratings more than they care to inform, so they’ll report bad after bad after bad, etc because that keeps people watching. I look at the world around me, and bad things are happening, but there’s some good as well. And I purposely seek out news stories that report some good that’s happening in the world to balance things out so I’m not caught up in that mindset that the world is ending like I’d been years ago when I obsessively kept up with the news.

i fully understabd and agree, things are getting unbelievable out there now.

I am taking a break from it, because politics depresses me even MORE than all the violence.

You might want to address that to messers George Soros, Klaus Schwab, et al.

I’m much happier when I don’t watch the news

Yes. Which is why it's important to get your news from stations that aren't all about sensationalism. Stations like CNN and MSNBC are accurate, but they're extremely biased in what they choose to cover. There are plenty of good things going on in the world too.

@Sevendays

Those things have always been part of American life.

I havent watched the news in a week and now sonewhere has bed bugs 😐

I don't pay much attention to the news at all. I just watch it for the weather girl

There is plenty of good news out there. It just doesn't get the press.

I don’t watch the news except for local info like weather, etc. If I watched the news for the rest of the country or even my state, I’d probably never leave my home. 😳

The depressing part is that people still flash their cash and other stupid behaviors that lead to the crimes you speak of.

Very much so sometimes.