Opinion
Good news source available on Web
March 6, 2008
It seems so easy to dwell on unfortunate events.
Surrounded by a media frenzy of violence and depressing news, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple happiness that once came so easily.
While pondering these thoughts, I came across a Web site called goodnewsnetwork.org. It is exactly what it claims to be: a source of good news. With merchandise that says “Good Happens,” the organization stays on the lighter side of current events.
The Web site is full of inspirational and feel-good stories like “Teen Athlete Triumphant and Proud of her Amputated Legs” and “Most Romantic Proposal by Man Named Casanova.” Rarely has reading the news been so satisfying, but still there is the feeling that there are so many unhappy events that are going on that are being left out.
The network, founded in 1997 as an attempt to prove that good news sells, has a mission to provide a “Daily Dose of News to Enthuse.”
The network provides good news from around the globe and proves that good news is not in as short supply as it may seem in most newspapers.
They refer to local TV news as “junk food,” but admit that negative news is important in order to be a well-informed citizen.
In many ways, reading the stories on the “Good News Network” may seem like an escape from the harshness of the real world, yet they are just as real as the depressing stories on the front page of The New York Times. As a society we have become so unfamiliar with inspirational, uplifting news that good news seems almost unreal.
The stories taken out of context on goodnewsnetwork.org seem too good to be true. With these stories, it’s easy to feel content. “Good News Network” promotes well-being in a way that no other news source has. Who knew that reading the news could be as fulfilling as watching a feel-good movie?
If someone used “Good News Network” as their only source of news, they would be ridiculously happy all the time.
But to be a well-informed citizen you need to be aware of the not-so-pleasant news as well.
The “Good News” provides a nice alternative when the mainstream news becomes unbearable, but taken in large doses alone can lead to simple-mindedness.
So, if you’ve had a long day and can’t possibly take any more bad news, then check out goodnewsnetwork.org. But remember, no matter how fulfilling the stories may be, there will always be equally unfulfilling stories as well.
Natalie Conrad is a junior journalism and marketing communications major and French minor. She enjoys running,reading, writing, playing guitar, and traveling.