Bad News Alert: Steer Clear of 'Things aren't so bad' stories

SHOOT: This was originally posted May 19, 2008.

More and more reporters are going to try to talk up everything from the economy to politics, to everything else. I'd like to believe in Father Christmas, the Easter Bunny, fairies, pixies and life after death, but I live in the real world, and so should you. Once again, this isn't about being gloomy, or raining on our own parade, it is time we grow up and start to face up to what is happening. We've been living, let's face it, in a fantasy land of movies and moviestars, listening to music, living the good life. That's what we're used to, but if we're honest, we always knew there was something wrong with how much stuff each of us was using, getting, throwing away...

BELOW: Pinocchio gets some good news from Jiminy cricket.

clipped from www.nickvanderleek.com The sort of news stories that inculcate these delusional thoughts, that perpetuate wishing thinking, sound like this: Global economy faring better than widely feared, but dark clouds remain British Court Rules Al Gore Film Exaggerated Climate Claims Of course, if you're looking for information that confirms what you believe you'll find it, and oddly enough, Google does exactly this. This is why it is important to be critical, to begin to examine both possibilities. Could it be happening? Could it not be happening? And then we see: How Bad Can the World Economy Get? Grim Climate Predictions Not Exaggerated, Analysis Says Other economic sore spots are also showing signs of improvement. Not only have financial markets bounced back, but several of the Federal Reserve's auctions have been undersubscribed, suggesting that banks are less desperate for cash. U.S. consumer confidence tumbled to its lowest level in 28 years this month