You are so right, it's cognitive overload. Pretty much since Trump was re-elected I've had to walk away from the news so often - and even have to stop my OH exclaiming about it and discussing it. With 7 bereavements among friends and family in the space of 13 months since then, a challenging job and a 2-year p/t master's to finish up, my brain just can't hold any more. So now I'm going to walk away again to make pizza dough, do some ironing and write the next section of my thesis. Literally focus on what I can do instead of allowing myself to be overwhelmed and distracted by what I can't.
Unfortunately, these people are relying on the masses to become overwhelmed by and, subsequently, apathetic to the chaff and lumping the important stuff “bubbling along the bottom of the pond” (to paraphrase that other icon of slobbery, Boris Johnson) in with it. Thankfully, we have people like you Bear and the other erstwhile journalists you mentioned to make sure that at least some of us stay informed and can, perhaps, let others know what’s really going on.
Dear Bear, good morning. Before I had finished reading your Substack today I thought that I must leave you a note to say “take the day off”. So I was pleased to know that’s exactly what you are doing.
100%, dear Bear. It’s all too much. I find that doing the things within your control helps.
Today I’m going to photograph my two poppy badges; sort out my ironing; do a workout; pick up my next leaflet delivery - for LibDems there are always leaflets; handle a little local casework and start my Christmas cake. That’s enough.
In 1986-7, I stopped listening to R4 every morning and switched to R3, because there it seemed there was a new disaster every time I listened to the news.
More recently, I gave up watching the Sunday morning politics programmes, because they just made me angry.
These days, I am more likely to listen to CDs or read or go for a walk, since I have the choice.
But then I check the apps, here, Bluesky, TV or online papers or podcasts and need to get off the phone again.
If it helps, you are one of my trusted guides.
You go through the aggravation for me.
You write really well, and this is a good example. What you do helps me and, I'm sure, many others.
Fwiw, I would just pick one strand, tell us why, and do it your way when you're ready.
The Bear can survive prolonged exposure in the most hostile environment and will stand and fight anything on its own. It marks its boundaries clearly.
And so it is with you Sir.
Bannon, architect of media / political sewage pits, omitted a crucial point about flooding the zone with sh*t: after more than 10 years, public discourse stinks.
But pessimist as I am, I detect broadening revulsion to this across a lot of the political spectrum. I see better and punchier rebuttals to cheap populist tropes. You are a vital part of the pushback.
Dear exhausted Bear, have a rest please. Your head must be running riot at the moment, and it's good to step away and take a break. You're no good to anyone if you’re burned out. Go and do something nice for yourself, give yourself some time and space. We're all totally brain scrambled with the world shit show, particularly the USA, so breathe, watch Trump hopefully get beaten, and come back fighting! Sending you much love as always ❤️ 🐻 xxxxxxxxx
I know what you mean. When I had a full time job I used to use Sundays to get my head straight for the week ahead and maybe that’s what is needed today. Do some housework, go for a walk, a coffee, read a fiction book maybe. It all recharges the batteries.
All we can do is concentrate on one fucking disaster at a time and also prioritise! The mid terms are next for me. Everything will start to unravel on the Trump Presidency if his party loses both houses! 🤞
I was just looking at part 3 from Sam Freedman’s excellent book and it talks about how the news cycle being so fast also overwhelms the politicians too. Even more concerning as they then focus on PR at the expense of policy. One thing I think really needing covering is this: if Trump loses next week or at the elections, what could the consequences be, good and bad and what could prevent another Trump. Some people are worried about a massive toddler hissy fit.
I was discussing the prevention bit with my MiL whose best friend lives in Georgia. I think the weakness of most democracies is they allow people like him to get in. I’m not sure it can be stopped. But I’d like to know your thoughts.
Some weeks ago the discussion turned to the frustration of constantly dealing with the outrages and scandals assailing us every day, and one of the conclusions was that we need to be more solution focussed if we can. We need something positive to say to the world, and perhaps more important, we need to have something positive to do, and feel.
As a result, all of Richard's blog posts now include his proposals for a better society, summed up as
"Neoliberal austerity has failed. We need a politics of care. This is how we can do it."
Changing the angle of perspective to one where you can see where the different parties agree might be useful.
Swimming in shit is never nice.
Your writing today, as ever, is really conversational and accessible. Thank you
You are so right, it's cognitive overload. Pretty much since Trump was re-elected I've had to walk away from the news so often - and even have to stop my OH exclaiming about it and discussing it. With 7 bereavements among friends and family in the space of 13 months since then, a challenging job and a 2-year p/t master's to finish up, my brain just can't hold any more. So now I'm going to walk away again to make pizza dough, do some ironing and write the next section of my thesis. Literally focus on what I can do instead of allowing myself to be overwhelmed and distracted by what I can't.
Unfortunately, these people are relying on the masses to become overwhelmed by and, subsequently, apathetic to the chaff and lumping the important stuff “bubbling along the bottom of the pond” (to paraphrase that other icon of slobbery, Boris Johnson) in with it. Thankfully, we have people like you Bear and the other erstwhile journalists you mentioned to make sure that at least some of us stay informed and can, perhaps, let others know what’s really going on.
Trump mid terms will affect all other sh*tshows so I'd wait until 4th November to decide what to focus on Bear. Hoping the voting turns the US blue 🙏
Sounds like utter burnout of bad news.
That’s how I feel at the moment.
So much going on ,a lot of it utter s**t.
The world news seems to be like a vortex ; getting sucked in to even greater depths of terrible news.
Sorry to sound so pessimistic, I’ve stepped away from social media a little recently as was finding it so depressing.
Dear Bear, good morning. Before I had finished reading your Substack today I thought that I must leave you a note to say “take the day off”. So I was pleased to know that’s exactly what you are doing.
Best wishes.
We can’t be everything to all people or every cause.
We live in interesting, exciting but also troublesome and exhausting times.
First and foremost we need to look at and after ourselves and then our nearest.
If theres energy and emotion left we can spend that on other causes.
Should that mean we have to make do with less of you, then that is tough luck for us.
I, and I think most of us, rather have you’re OK than that you’re burnt out but have produced more.
Hugs.
100%, dear Bear. It’s all too much. I find that doing the things within your control helps.
Today I’m going to photograph my two poppy badges; sort out my ironing; do a workout; pick up my next leaflet delivery - for LibDems there are always leaflets; handle a little local casework and start my Christmas cake. That’s enough.
Have a great Sunday.
Stay strong 💪
This feeling is familiar, Bear.
In 1986-7, I stopped listening to R4 every morning and switched to R3, because there it seemed there was a new disaster every time I listened to the news.
More recently, I gave up watching the Sunday morning politics programmes, because they just made me angry.
These days, I am more likely to listen to CDs or read or go for a walk, since I have the choice.
But then I check the apps, here, Bluesky, TV or online papers or podcasts and need to get off the phone again.
If it helps, you are one of my trusted guides.
You go through the aggravation for me.
You write really well, and this is a good example. What you do helps me and, I'm sure, many others.
Fwiw, I would just pick one strand, tell us why, and do it your way when you're ready.
No-one can do it all. That's ok.
The Bear can survive prolonged exposure in the most hostile environment and will stand and fight anything on its own. It marks its boundaries clearly.
And so it is with you Sir.
Bannon, architect of media / political sewage pits, omitted a crucial point about flooding the zone with sh*t: after more than 10 years, public discourse stinks.
But pessimist as I am, I detect broadening revulsion to this across a lot of the political spectrum. I see better and punchier rebuttals to cheap populist tropes. You are a vital part of the pushback.
Flood the zone with light and insight.
Dear exhausted Bear, have a rest please. Your head must be running riot at the moment, and it's good to step away and take a break. You're no good to anyone if you’re burned out. Go and do something nice for yourself, give yourself some time and space. We're all totally brain scrambled with the world shit show, particularly the USA, so breathe, watch Trump hopefully get beaten, and come back fighting! Sending you much love as always ❤️ 🐻 xxxxxxxxx
I know what you mean. When I had a full time job I used to use Sundays to get my head straight for the week ahead and maybe that’s what is needed today. Do some housework, go for a walk, a coffee, read a fiction book maybe. It all recharges the batteries.
All we can do is concentrate on one fucking disaster at a time and also prioritise! The mid terms are next for me. Everything will start to unravel on the Trump Presidency if his party loses both houses! 🤞
Have a chilled day Bear!
Carry on regardless Bear
I was just looking at part 3 from Sam Freedman’s excellent book and it talks about how the news cycle being so fast also overwhelms the politicians too. Even more concerning as they then focus on PR at the expense of policy. One thing I think really needing covering is this: if Trump loses next week or at the elections, what could the consequences be, good and bad and what could prevent another Trump. Some people are worried about a massive toddler hissy fit.
I was discussing the prevention bit with my MiL whose best friend lives in Georgia. I think the weakness of most democracies is they allow people like him to get in. I’m not sure it can be stopped. But I’d like to know your thoughts.
You are showing very common symptoms of burnout, which sensibly you recognise, and are dealing with, by taking some time out.
You are not alone. There are many good people out there trying to fix this broken world.
If it helps, you may be interested in Richard Murphy whom I have been following for many years, on his blog,
https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/
and more recently on his substack
https://richardjmurphy.substack.com/.
Some weeks ago the discussion turned to the frustration of constantly dealing with the outrages and scandals assailing us every day, and one of the conclusions was that we need to be more solution focussed if we can. We need something positive to say to the world, and perhaps more important, we need to have something positive to do, and feel.
As a result, all of Richard's blog posts now include his proposals for a better society, summed up as
"Neoliberal austerity has failed. We need a politics of care. This is how we can do it."
Good luck, and take care of yourself.