The interwebs makes me depressed.

[Doseone]

Twitter is a double edged sword - it has good bits and bad bits. It does seem to attract more than its share of idiots so I think you have to go through the process of finding out which bits you don't like or upset you and then avoiding them.

I am on Twitter but don't tweet. I find it great for keeping up with local news, sports news, following teams/ cyclists but that's about it.

The internet must be one of the best inventions of the 20th century, it is unimaginably huge and there is stuff on there that will depress you but also stuff that will reaffirm your faith in the goodness of humanity.

 

[rbreid]

What do you think of John Major's chances in the next election?

Perhaps the following will answer your question

When politicians disagree
Tis down to men like you and me
To settle matters less amicably
On island hill, then you see
Ultimate sacrifice, bravery
Whether Brit, civilian or Argie

No matter what the uniform
A young life from his family torn
Politicians I think you will agree
Owe a debt to He and me
Do you think though they'll ever see
The futility of political destiny

Left now with terrible dreams
Awake or asleep or so it seems
I hear those voices in my mind
No nationality, but all my kind
From families heart they've all been torn
Leaving the living weary, tired, worn

They ask me now to place a cross
On ballot paper with names embossed
I'd certainly put a cross....not there
But on political chest a fine crosshair
A sqeeze, then world a better place
Without their posturing, pride misplaced
R. B. Reid 1983

 

[Sara_H]

Twitter is a double edged sword - it has good bits and bad bits. It does seem to attract more than its share of idiots so I think you have to go through the process of finding out which bits you don't like or upset you and then avoiding them.

I am on Twitter but don't tweet. I find it great for keeping up with local news, sports news, following teams/ cyclists but that's about it.

The internet must be one of the best inventions of the 20th century, it is unimaginably huge and there is stuff on there that will depress you but also stuff that will reaffirm your faith in the goodness of humanity.

Can you point me to some affirmy bits please?

 

[Doseone]

Can you point me to some affirmy bits please?

Sure. Here you go.

 

[Doseone]

@Sara_H sorry, my last post may come across as flippant, it wasn't meant to be.

What is affirmy for me may not be affirmy for you, but if I'm peed off about something I go hunting photos on the internet. Nick Brandt usually does it for me. And the Huffington Post has a section dedicated to good news which can be nice.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Don't do twitter 'cos it's just such a stupid name

 

[snorri]

I've been on Twitter for a year now and have yet to come across anything offensive. I'm following 39 people or organisations and have blocked a few, posters who don't interest me but have certainly not offended in any way. I find it good for keeping abreast of current affairs in organisations and industries of interest to me.
I seldom tweet myself, unless to have a go at the poor attitude of Transport Scotland to active travel.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I've been on Twitter for a year now and have yet to come across anything offensive.

Likewise, but then I only use it for very specific professional purposes.

I think that in general it's a matter of how you learn to deal with things. All kinds of things in the world can see overwhelming and depressing, but I don't think withdrawing from it permanently, only looking at nice things, or not engaging with what is bad are the answers. My own personal way through is meditation, exercise (more cycling!), and specific short-term retreats - which can really help. And in general the cultivation of a belief that however objectively bad things are, they can and must be made better - or as Antonio Gramsci put it: pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will. Others may have other ways...

 

[Mickthemove]

I love twitter and follow only things I want to read about, I suppose if you have to follow thinks like child welfare and the like, your timeline would be filled with horrors and be a proper depressing read! My advice would be have a personal account for all the things you love to read about, and that will make you smile and then have a work specific account or list that you can flick into, scan and get out.

I suppose it's a bit like real life, take out the negatives and surround yourself with positivity, where possible

 

[Doseone]

Can you point me to some affirmy bits please?

Thought you might like this

 

[Sara_H]

Thought you might like this

Awww, tht nearly made me cry!

Do you like this?

http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/16/adora...her-while-receiving-first-bath-video-4188862/

 

[Doseone]

Awww, tht nearly made me cry!

Do you like this?

http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/16/adora...her-while-receiving-first-bath-video-4188862/

OMG that's incredible.

 

[dellzeqq]

Actually, I find Twitter us much better than other news outlets for a lot of professionally relevant information, much of which would only really be available in specialist professional journals that may only be published quarterly. And it's also good to get the discussion and dissection of new announcements etc. but the downside is that a lot of very unpleasant drivel creeps in with it.

Sara, it's not so much the 'information' but what you're able to do with it. You've chosen a career that few of us would have the strength to follow, and, inevitably, there's a good deal of heartache that attends that. So much, so obvious, but (and I speak from personal experience) what you mustn't do is to imperil or close down parts of yourself. If this assault of information is of such an intensity that it imperils your wellbeing, then take a break.