There seems to be quite a bit of passion nowadays concerning news.  The greatest ability one can possess is the ability to distinguish fact from fiction and information from opinion. Lets look at the process as it applies to our news cycles today.

Traffic reports are an example of real news.  Any time a person believes a traffic report, they form conclusions based on the reports others give of actual conditions. They consider these sources reliable. A wise person will avoid an area when given a traffic report that suggests there is a pile-up in their normal route. These opinions based in fact are valuable and a person who uses them to make up his mind is wise.

Opinion pieces are given by those who have a certain taste or bias. Reports that are based in taste are mere opinions that a wise person won’t take too seriously. Opinions having to do with taste are not really up for debate since they belong to the person giving them. Passions are wasted when applied to defeating them. It is like trying to convince a loyal sports fan to switch teams and getting angry when they don’t.

Recently, many of those who formerly claimed to present real news have proudly transitioned from newscasting to opinion pieces. This removes the shackles of objectivity which allows them to put out unsubstantiated stories without having to prove the reliability of their sources. These fake news and false narratives are presented to get attention and rouse passions. Outrageous claims rule the airwaves and make the most money. News cycles have become similar to viral videos. Value is not contained in accuracy, but on how many people discuss it and share it.

The smart politicians and pundits recognize this environment so they continually manufacture unsubstantiated claims. These claims keep gullable people busy reposting them. It gives opinionated news commentators material to debate. The objective for supplying misinformation is to control the news cycle with their own narrative by any means possible.

There is nothing wrong with discussing the merits of specific social issues among friends, but raising blood pressure and stressing over nonsense makes no sense. We have to be smarter than opinionated pundits and politicians. A person shouldn’t waste peace of mind when there is so much good to explore in the real world. This rational mind was made for creativity and solutions.