Hah, I was lucky to even get dressed or spell psychology right this morning - thanks. Yes, the media does choose to focus on negative news because that's what sells. In the end Jamie did turn off and is much more selective about what he chooses to listen to these days. Not to say we don't read and be aware, we just can't wallow in it. I think it's a bit better if you KNOW that's what's going on, because then we can be more dismissive of it and less fearful and driven by it. I think that's what I want my students to know. Don't allow your perspective to be shaped by the mainstream media - be aware of it and how it works, and go searching for other truths out there and form a more informed vision of your world rather than one based on fear. And choose to switch off, too. Sometimes we just can't do anything about it - far better to just affect our local environments in the best way we can to make the best difference we can.
Thanks for encouraging me to write a response.