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Category: Mental health

Media myth busted: Suicides do not increase at holidays

Media myth busted: Suicides do not increase at holidays

Half of recent news reports about holiday suicides spread disinformation that suicides go up over the holidays: Summary: Despite media claims that suicide rates increase dramatically over the holiday period, researchers report the average daily suicide rate during the holidays remain among the lowest rate of any period of the year. Source: University of Pennsylvania The holiday-suicide myth, the false claim that the suicide rate rises during the year-end holiday season, persisted in some news coverage through the 2021-22 holidays, according to…

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NBER paper: Why Is All COVID-19 News Bad News?

NBER paper: Why Is All COVID-19 News Bad News?

91% of US news about Covid topics was negative – even when reporting on positive vaccine developments or low case counts in schools. The media learned that consumers demand negativity – I postulate this is because consumers who are suffering from hysteria and anxiety seek out news that confirms their anxiety, and that being anxious is okay.

Bad news sells

Bad news sells

Business news reporters, who generally do a good job, also admit they believe “unfavorable articles were more likely to attract readers”. The result, across all news media, is that the news focuses on negativity and what is perceived as wrong with the world. There is rarely, ever, good news. This results in entire societies living in an unnecessary culture of perpetual outrage, fear and anxiety. This is not healthy.

New York requires applicants to hand over their social media account IDs

New York requires applicants to hand over their social media account IDs

Many of recent mass shooters had posted items of concern on social media but none of them had concealed weapons permits. Thus, this would not have stopped any of the recent mass murders. As missed warning signs pile up in investigations of mass killings, New York state is rolling out a novel strategy to screen applicants for gun permits. People seeking to carry concealed handguns will be required to hand over their social media accounts for a review of their…

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Misleading bull shit headline: “9 in 10 Floridians at ‘high’ risk of COVID as hospitalizations rise”

Misleading bull shit headline: “9 in 10 Floridians at ‘high’ risk of COVID as hospitalizations rise”

This news report is inconsistent, contradictory and incoherent. It claims 9 in 10 Florida resident are at “high” risk for Covid – in a state where up 80% are estimated to have had Covid, and hence, acquired immunity, and 70% have been fully vaccinated. This is news report is complete nonsense. And they wonder why people don’t believe anyone anymore?

75% of Americans are not delaying retirement due to inflation

75% of Americans are not delaying retirement due to inflation

See what I did there? 25% of Americans are delaying retirement due to inflation Apparently the first subject taught in journalism school is that all stories and all headlines are required to be spun in a negative fashion, to ensure that the public is always living in fear and anxiety. They do this every single day.