Stop Reading the News - A Manifesto for a Happier, Calmer, and Wiser Life

The fact that almost everyone I know read this book and loved it scares me, because I didn’t really find this intriguing although it’s an enjoyable, light read.

‘Stop Reading the News’ by Rolf Dobelli is a short read on the reasons why constantly consuming from news media is not and will never be good for us. Dobelli presents clearly defined arguments - from addressing the impacts of news reading on our knowledge production to how it can affect our ability to make informed decisions. Essentially, he argues that constantly consuming from news media does not and will not fundamentally improve our knowledge of the world, and our understanding of the world at large.

However, my main criticism of this book would be the style in which it was written. The use of condescending words was unnecessary and often, ineffective. The lukewarm short chapters make it easy to read but the overall tone and guilt-tripping in presenting the arguments is the weakness I found in this book.

But despite that, Dobelli manages to dissect many of the failings of the news with a raw and honest opinion that makes for both a pleasant and persuasive read. He makes his case forcefully, and points out that the long-term trends which really shape our lives are rarely to be found in the news itself.

Cheers!
T