Why I’m Tired of Fake Outrage
Look, I’ve been in this game for over two decades. I’ve seen it all, or so I thought. But lately? Lately, I’m tired. Tired of the outrage, the sensationalism, the goddamn clickbait. It’s like we’re all stuck in a never-ending loop of manufactured controversy, and honestly, I’m over it.
I remember back in ’98, when I was just starting out at the Daily Chronicle in Manchester. My editor, let’s call him Marcus, used to say, “Liz, if it bleeds, it leads.” And yeah, that’s always been true to an extent. But now? It’s like we’re not just reporting on the bleeding, we’re causing the damn injury ourselves.
Take last Tuesday, for example. I was at a conference in Austin — yeah, I know, not exactly my scene, but work is work. And I’m sitting there, listening to some “expert” talk about how “algorithms are killing journalism.” And I’m thinking, no, buddy, algorithms aren’t the problem. The problem is that we’ve let ourselves become addicted to outrage. We’ve become a society that craves the next big scandal, the next viral moment, the next thing to share on social media with a snarky comment.
And don’t even get me started on the so-called “fact-checkers.” I mean, I get it, they’re trying to do a good thing. But half the time, it feels like they’re just cherry-picking facts to fit their own narrative. It’s like they’re playing a game of “gotcha,” and frankly, it’s exhausting.
But Here’s the Thing…
I’m not saying we should all just roll over and accept whatever nonsense comes our way. No, we need to be critical. We need to question things. But we also need to be fair. We need to be balanced. And most importantly, we need to be honest.
I was having coffee with a friend of mine, let’s call her Sarah, the other day. She’s a doctor, works at the hospital downtown. And she’s telling me about how she’s been seeing alot of patients lately who are completley convinced that some random thing they read on Facebook is gospel. And I’m thinking, this is the real problem. This is what happens when we prioritize sensationalism over substance.
So what’s the solution? I’m not sure, honestly. But I do know this: we need to start taking responsibilty for the news we consume. We need to be more critical. We need to be more discerning. And we need to be more willing to walk away from the outrage machine.
And look, I’m not saying it’s easy. I mean, I’ve been guilty of it myself. There have been times when I’ve written a headline just to get clicks. There have been times when I’ve prioritized speed over accuracy. But I’m trying to do better. And I think we all should be.
But Wait, There’s More!
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Liz, this is all well and good, but what about the actual news? What about the important stuff that’s happening in the world?” And you’re right, that’s important too. But here’s the thing: the important stuff is often boring. It’s complicated. It’s nuanced. And it doesn’t always fit neatly into a 280-character tweet.
Take, for example, the recent aquisition of that big tech company. I mean, sure, the stock price went up, and that’s great for the investors. But what about the workers? What about the communities that rely on those jobs? Those are the stories that matter. Those are the stories that we should be focusing on. But instead, we’re too busy talking about some celebrity’s latest scandal.
And don’t even get me started on the political coverage. I mean, I get it, politics is important. But half the time, it feels like we’re just reporting on the latest tweetstorm from some politician, rather than actually delving into the issues that matter. It’s like we’ve become a society that’s more interested in the spectacle than the substance.
But hey, maybe that’s just me. Maybe I’m just getting old and cynical. I don’t know. All I know is that I’m tired. Tired of the outrage. Tired of the sensationalism. Tired of the goddamn clickbait. And I think it’s time we all take a step back and start demanding better.
And look, I’m not saying we should all become monks and swear off the news entirely. No, we need to stay informed. We need to know what’s going on in the world. But we also need to be smart about it. We need to be critical. We need to be discerning. And we need to be willing to walk away from the outrage machine.
So here’s my challenge to you: the next time you’re about to share that outrageous headline on social media, stop. Take a breath. Do some research. Read the actual article. And ask yourself, is this really worth my committment? Is this really worth my attention? Because frankly, most of the time, it’s not.
And if you’re looking for some actual, you know, factual information, check out medical news research updates. They’re doing some really interesting work over there, and it’s a refreshing change from the usual nonsense.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. I’m gonna go find a quiet corner and read a book. Maybe I’ll see you out there, in the real world, away from the screens and the outrage. Until then, stay critical, stay discerning, and for the love of god, stay away from the comments section.
About the Author: Liz Carter is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She’s worked for major publications, covered everything from politics to pop culture, and has seen it all. She’s also a firm believer in the Oxford comma, and she’s not afraid to correct you if you use “irregardless.” When she’s not editing, you can find her drinking coffee, reading books, and complaining about the state of modern journalism.
