I have started to avoid reading the somewhat more 'sensational' news on the 'Net and regular sources because lately I have experienced that this only brings sadness. I want happiness instead. Yes, I'm aware of the grim reality but I also say that ignorance is bliss. I was born in a time there were only three sources for world events: your very reliable newspaper, the news read out on radio and of course the stripped of any emotion and therefore very straightforward news on the Dutch state TV stations (only two).
Because of technical limitations the news was in fact not so new. But with the introduction of the Internet followed by 'social media', news is indeed new. As in almost real time. It has become both a blessing and a curse. We know too much.
That's why I love hanging out here so much. There's only happiness. Thanks guys, for keeping this a happy place!
The very same here I to avoid the news, I do have a preference for Google news feed this can be taylored to mostly show the news items of your own interest. My feed mainly shows watch articles and the music I have interest in along with a few other interests.
I have blocked all the tabloids and even some of the broad sheets.
The News in general is scaremongering, false truths and sensationalism. Bullshit in other words.
Any particular news item I may be interested in I check my Twitter feed to get the live unbiased truth from ordinary people.
It's such a great idea to stay away from so much of it Frans, and everyone. :smileyface_hand_cla
Seems like a lot of it is meant to make you angry, and sad, and basically
tuning in for the next disaster. ..But then when you decide to just check in
on the news instead of being glued to it. Or step back, and take a break.
You actually break out of the Matrix, and see the sky actually isn't falling
all the time.
Yes, honestly, can't thank you enough Frans, and everyone for making
this place such a great destination to get away from it all, and have so
much fun ! :smile1: It's a real joy to be part of.
It's such a great idea to stay away from so much of it Frans, and everyone. :smileyface_hand_cla
Seems like a lot of it is meant to make you angry, and sad, and basically
tuning in for the next disaster. ..But then when you decide to just check in
on the news instead of being glued to it. Or step back, and take a break.
You actually break out of the Matrix, and see the sky actually isn't falling
all the time.
Yes, honestly, can't thank you enough Frans, and everyone for making
this place such a great destination to get away from it all, and have so
much fun ! :smile1: It's a real joy to be part of.
Can you imagine how life must have been in rural Holland, 250 years ago? People never ventured out of their farm area, village or town unless they really, really had to. Most common folks were illiterate and had to rely on the town crier for news, or town square gossip. News travelled as fast as the fastest mode of transport, the horse. The world must have been incredibly small compared to our times. Our times with Internet anywhere and everywhere.
I haven't tuned into any news channels in years with the rare exception of viewing some election results or coverage of some major catastrophic event. Most of it simply doesn't matter or have any impact on my life.
When my in laws visit, they camp in front of the television and complain about politics, go on about the many horrors around the globe, etc. But it's as if on some level they enjoy and are addicted to this sensationalism, be it positive or negative. And of course it's nearly all negative. This is in part is what's driven me away from tuning in to the "news".
This is a nice thread, and it's all true. The world is upside down at the moment and we all need to relax a little. And a little infatuation with watches is a harmless way to relax. Twelve years ago I started by gradually buying 100 watches, some crazy big, from ShopNBC, and now I am calmer and I whittled my collection down to just 20 quartz watches and 10 automatic watches and all are under $100 and measure no more than 40mm. Half of my watches cost me $20 online and I spent more on new watch hands and having the hands installed by my watch guy at the mall than the watch was worth. I'm talking about three hand Casio watches, elegant and simple, no day box, no date box, and with $5 Hattori or Miyota movements. None are G-shock watches. Sorry but I find them to be dog ugly.
OK so the movements do not keep time as accurately as the atomic clock at the International Space Station, but hey there is nowhere I have to be that requires that level of accuracy. Not even close. As soon as I figure out how to post good pics I'll do so.
In any event I bought a new watch last week, my first purchase in a year. I am on meds trying to keep my watch obsession under control LOL. The watch is simple and elegant and can be found only in Italy at the moment, so its trip to me in Maryland will take a month.
Check out the CASIO BEM SL100D-2A with a blue dial. Cheers to my WF family.
Late to the party, but most here have echoed my sentiments with regard to what passes for "news". At my age, ignorance is bliss and maybe to some degree, has helped with stave off depression and higher blood pressure! To your point Frans, yes, this is one of my happy places as well.
I hope we can keep things cranking here for years to come. Thanks gang!
Scott
In my neck of the woods, the painful truth is that the news I was referring to is not fake at all. It's bone chillingly real. "86 old woman in a wheelchair violently robbed by some punk". "26 year old woman killed by a man in his Porsche while performing a street race with his son, doing 200 Kph on a street where 50 is allowed". Both men are blaming each other. The list is endless and is utterly saddening. No, I'm not a naive unicorn who is denying the truth but I don't want to be part of this kind of news any more. It's enough.
The COVID-19 disaster and the increasing lack of social and other activity provides an opportunity for some reflection.
Around 100 or so years ago we did not have to pay government for permission to -
Drive a car
Own a property
Own a fire-arm if you were so inclined
Sell many different goods and services
Start a business
Renovate your home
Own a dog
Get married
We can do nothing without being extorted by government and obtaining their permission first.
If we believe that are truly free, we are deluding ourselves. We live in a tax farm as free range humans.
Watch Bros (and a few female WFs):
Staying home has enabled me to watch seemingly every watch assembly vid on the www. Not incl Guitar factory videos of my faves, Martin, Gibson, Taylor and Guild geetars.
I've been afforded the "stay at home" time to clean and polish every time piece I own. Then there are my accoustic standard guitars (2 of them) and my acoustic bass guitar
(1 of those) But whatta I do when I run out of D'Addario guitar polish? Easy. Order another bottle from the Bay. If I only weren't such a dumass I could be a Watchmaker or a
Luthier!
In someone's Wonder World this will be over by Easter. Really wanna make book on that? In less than a few weeks, load our churches with still infected parishioners? Whatta
a grand idea.
Appearently some of the big kahunas saw fit to diss my opinion that the Virus is almost like the WW2 Blitzkreig. In that our society is being bombarded. Not with V2 bombs but
with spores from the Devil. In 1942 UK citizens had team Hitler to blame. But today there are no Baddies or Good guys. Just virus spores. I took the chance of accepting our
usual groceries, curbside iorder.. Brought groceries home and left them in the garage (minus the frozen items) for 48 hours.
On the way home from the grocery store I pulled my auto to the shoulder of the road to txt the wife (jus like the Tx law dictates) Attendant of a business saw I had stopped and asked if I were OK?
2 weeks ago she would've cared less if I were OK.. Some good has risen from this cluster arrangement. People are returning to caring for each other!!!! At least in my Tx town.
Lou Snutt
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