Is following the news a waste of time?

Quick answer

The claim, from a well-upvoted post: you don't get smarter by watching the news. Most of it is noise that sours your mood. A reply added a fair middle ground: a short weekly look at the major headlines is plenty to stay informed.

What 125x is: 125x is a web app at 125x.app. You connect your YouTube subscriptions, and it gives you a feed of the latest videos from the channels you follow, each with a summary: a verdict, the 5 key takeaways, and the spoiler, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips. You read that and decide what's actually worth opening.

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Where the claim is right

Hourly checking rarely changes what you do.
Rolling coverage fills time with commentary.
Much of it is about things you can't affect.

Where it goes too far

Local news affects your taxes, schools and roads.
Some events need you to act, like weather or elections.
Long-form reporting can teach you a lot.

A calmer routine

Pick one or two set times to check.
Read instead of watching, so you control the pace.
Prefer a weekly roundup over live updates.
Turn off breaking news alerts.
See information overload.

FAQ: questions people ask

Is reading the news a waste of time?

Constant checking often is. A short, scheduled check keeps you informed.

How often should I check the news?

Many people do well with once a day or a weekly roundup.

Is local news worth following?

Often yes, since it affects your daily life more directly.