Tommia's Tablet

Books and Shadows by Tommia Wright

What is news? According to Merriam Webster, it is:

1  a : a report of recent events
b : previously unknown information <I’ve got news for you>
c : something having a specified influence or effect <the rain was good news for lawns and gardens — Garrison Keillor> <the virus was bad news>
2 a : material reported in a newspaper or news periodical or on a newscast
b : matter that is newsworthy
3 : newscast

I don’t know about you, but what is newsworthy about a singer behaving badly taking the front page of a national newspaper, yet having to scroll a ways down to learn that Oliver Sacks had passed away. Some news sites have to disable their comments section due to many inappropriate remarks or solicitous links, while others ‘seem to censor’ select comments, so say some readers.

When did Facebook and Twitter become news sources? Why the need for ‘continuous/oversharing of things’ once reserved for small-party conversations? True, it is almost impossible to hear a news item without some hint of bias, but is it too much to ask that we try? It isn’t even September and already the saturation of political coverage is insane.

I digress.

Do you think news coverage will improve or worsen or just remain the same told in a new way?

Snoqualmie Falls 4.13

It’s in simple, unadulterated beauty that one can find rest.

How sad that’s being eroded away in the name of progress.

Music Mural in Dallas by Tommia Wright

Whether it’s Williams, Kamen, Elfman for film, or the familiar starting notes of a favorite show, themes paint pictures, envelop emotions and add a texture to a story about to be told.

Adios and adieu. Ending this collection of themes with a good feeling.

Ducky Devilish Sticky/Logic by Tommia Wright

I now remember why I keep the television news off after work – the ‘war of words’ between politicians, pollsters, producers, etc.

Words that once had a benign meaning have been turned to be malevolent. Words that were once banned from television flow as freely as… (I’m at a loss for words on this one).

What some people find funny, others find demeaning/confusing/pointless. What some people find poignant, others challenge. Find a YouTube clip or a good news story on a local channel or newspaper and you have the ‘trolls’ who try to trash it.

Commonsense certainly isn’t so common anymore; not when you hear of college dorms who hang up questionable banners during move-in day; not when one person of power believes its fine to belittle anyone who does not agree with them; not when there are groups who thrive on hate and are determined to make as many people around them as angry as they feel. If it’s towards the whole world, then somehow, searching for beauty and kindness was lost along the way.