“Not all chains are iron. Some come in the form of likes, loops, and endless notifications.”
Image generated with the assistance of Microsoft Word
It begins with the desire to stay awake to what is happening in the world, but then, we analyse our media habits—especially the kind of content I have been watching on YouTube and elsewhere. What started as an interest in staying informed has, without me noticing, turned into something more compulsive. I find myself drawn in by videos that stir the emotions—about the state of the world, moral decline, or political chaos. Some are thoughtful, others more reactionary—but the result is often the same: I come away feeling unsettled, drained, even a little hopeless.
When I was young we had News at Ten on the BBC. Now we have 24 hour news on many channels. On top of that we have debates and controversial interviews.
Many now stay awake via online platforms. I’ve come to see it for what it is—a kind of addiction. Not to the content itself, but to the emotional charge it gives. The more we consume, the more we are fed. The algorithms are clever that way, learning quickly how to keep a person hooked. And even though I might tell myself it’s good to stay awake or alert, I’m starting to realize that peace and perspective are being eroded in the process.
So, I’ve decided to change my diet.
I want to be more intentional by limiting my media intake to no more than 30 minutes a day, and choosing content that uplifts, enlightens, or inspires rather than provokes or disturbs. Blogs that build rather than tear down. Voices that breathe life rather than drain it.
It’s not about shutting my eyes to the world. It’s about guarding my heart and mind. I want to be rooted in what is good, not just reactive to what is wrong.
I’m sharing this not as a lecture, but as a confession of sorts. If you’ve ever felt this pull too, you’ll understand. The world is loud right now. And sometimes the most radical thing we can do is turn the volume down and make space for quiet, hope, and trust.