Can’t Think Straight

Have you ever experienced times when there is so much going on that you can’t even think straight? How about when you’re emotional about something? Have you ever been so angry your emotions took over and your mind froze? How about grief? Have you ever been deep in sadness and no thoughts mattered . . . only your grief mattered?

I read something the other day about the media and how it influences people (posted below). Their influence is targeted on emotion. This isn’t a new thing, as it’s been going on for decades. Division in our society is pretty much portrayed in media daily, and I’ve written about it occasionally on my blog over the years.

When I say, “media,” I mean local news, national news, international news, movies, television, streaming, and social media.

I’ve mentioned this to people before, and some shook it off with, “I don’t pay attention to the news anymore.” Or, “I don’t get involved with social media.”

There are two reasons why I pay attention.

1) Even if some people don’t pay attention to media outlets, they can’t avoid it altogether. Emotional seeds are being sown not only through news, but movies and television, too.

2) There are people everywhere who are unknowingly being influenced by what they take in from these multitude of media outlets. Unless someone is a hermit, we are in contact with others every day, and I like to be aware.

Over time, the media’s play on emotions affects human behavior, and people make decisions from their feelings instead of thinking things over first. A person who makes a decision from pure emotion, is not thinking straight.

How many times have you known anyone to make the right decision if they act out of anger? How about grief? When I was grieving a loss, everything else seemed to be going wrong, because I couldn’t think straight. My feelings took over and my mind wasn’t able to make clear decisions.

I like to be cognizant of what’s going on and how it’s affecting people out in the world. I also make sure to use common sense and discern.

I’m leaving a shorter version of what I read about the media, below. It’s from a source that knows how the media and entertainment works, and it’s a warning. I also posted a follow-up that partners with this topic and explains why I felt it important to address.

What happens when the news is no longer free from bias?
What happens when the news is no longer reliable and independent?
What happens when the news is no longer trustworthy?
When does media and entertainment become propaganda?
How does the average person, who is busy with work, chores, and family, find time to research and discern fact vs. fiction?
Are the majority of people more prone to believe someone in power sitting behind a big-brand “news” name?
Do people tend to follow the majority or mainstream for fear of being isolated and/or shunned?
Are more prone to believe something if it’s heard over and over again by different sources? (see video below)
Can media influence and divide?
Divide by religion.
Divide by sex.
Divide by political affiliation.
Divide by class.
When divided and angry, we target those “different” from us, instead of those in the media who are responsible for the division.
Divided we are weak.
“Free thought” is a philosophical viewpoint which holds that, positions regarding truth should be formed on the basis of logic, reason and experience, rather than authority, tradition, or dogma.

~ Anonymous Source