Turn on the news, open a paper, look online. I guarantee, there will be something awful, shocking, or just plain sad greeting your eyes. There is a valid reason for that. As humans, negative news easily catches our attention. If the news isn’t negative, then it’s not really all that important. Negative news obviously may impact our lives negatively, which is why we pay attention. There’s nothing wrong with that. I get it. I’m not saying we all should shun the ickiness of the world and pretend it’s all sunshine, hearts, rainbows, and puppies. Because it’s not. Humans aren’t all that great, to be honest. Instead, I advocate that we document those rare moments of kindness and joy more vigorously than we have been doing.

As a result of public outcry about the damage fossil fuels does, the oil industry will produce 2m fewer barrels per day by 2040, predicts BP https://t.co/5MXvthrpoH

— Positive News (@PositiveNewsUK) March 12, 2019

Both my mother and father have mentioned becoming numb to the scary things going on every day and just trying to live through it. That doesn’t sound all that fun if you ask me. What it does sound like is a downright nightmare. Jokingly, my fellow students mention that by the time our generation is allowed control of the world, there will be nothing left to salvage. We complain about our terrible president, we mourn the various school shootings, we shake our heads at people who deny the existence of global warming. We laugh it off, but it leaves a trace of foreboding through our minds. That hopeless feeling I myself ignore due to the deep-set belief of one person making no difference.

It causes me to question why I do good things at all. So what if I recycle? A million other people will produce enough trash to cancel out this single effort. So what if I write an inspiring article? Sure, people will agree that there needs to be changed, but then they’ll move on and wait for someone else to bring about that change. So what if I do a good deed? It will be buried in the sands of the numerous grains of bad deeds come tomorrow. This is the effect of negative news. A disheartening, ‘it wouldn’t matter’ feeling that resonates throughout the world when considering making a change or standing up. How? How can we possibly dream of a better future when everything around us seems to be spiraling downhill faster and faster and even faster still.

Alright, you say. Fair point. So. What’s the answer? The solution? The remedy? Why thank you for asking. As it happens, I actually do happen to have a suggestion. Wait for it……Positive News! Yay! Whoo-hoo! Anything? Yeah, okay. Moving on. Yes, it seems like a rather obvious conclusion but no one seems to realize why. I’ll spell it out for you, negative news equals a negative and dreary social atmosphere. On the other hand, positive news equals a positive and encouraging social atmosphere. For example, positive news about big things like a new cure being created or small things like someone’s lost cat being found all make for a pleasant outlook for the rest of your day.

Through focusing on adding that bright hint of constant positivity in the news, it can prove that while yes, humans are awful, they also cannot be….awful. They can be brave, kind, thoughtful, and innovative. Yes. The world is still worth an effort to save. Yes, it still can be saved. Yes, it can be changed. Yes, it can get better. Look, it’s happening right now! That, my friends, is the impact and reason why there should be more positive news to at least even out the scales between the negative. I do agree that negative news is important, but social media shouldn’t forget that positive news is just as essential.

Mr Tracey is now doing really well and is receiving lots of support; he has had an electricity meter fitted in his house and he’s currently waiting for his hearing aids to be fitted.

And he’s also been reunited with his beloved dog, Ben! 🐶 #heartwarming pic.twitter.com/uXipMnybgo

— Birmingham Police (@brumpolice) January 26, 2019