Its no secret that the Internet has been tough on news sources. I admit that for years I mostly rely on Google News to select the news I read. For a while I was pretty happy with this. Over time I began to get more “clickbait” articles, that is, one with ridiculous headlines designed to get you to click on their link. I figureed ignoring these stories would “tell” Google not to send me this sort of stuff. But it didn’t.

I found I was getting lots of articles about the same thing, often using the same text. I also began to get local stories from places I have never been and have no particular interest in. I also found it was taking me longer and longer to read my news in the morning. But maybe that was Googles plan all along.

Recently I decided to beging to ruthlessly block articles and sites that sent me any stories I found had misleading headlines or information. Also I tried to reject news that was loaded with adjectives and adverbs. I’m just want facts, not opinions and emotions. This had led me to blocking what I’m used to consider premier content. I’m mostly thinking of the New York Times. I’m fact, their stories keep popping up and I keep blocking them. What up with that Google (although I suspect I know the answer)?

i joke that I’m down to ESPN, Al Jazera and The Onion. But something funny has happened, at least temporarily. I’m spending less time reading news and feel more informed. I’m also getting lots of news from less prominent and often more local sources. Its important to note that I’m trying to broaden what I read, not narrow it. I’m not looking to make my own echo chamber; quite the opposite. I’m not sure what the solution is for news in today’s world, but I’m happy with my aggressive blocking of news sources.