I stumble into the kitchen most mornings before sunrise, pour coffee into a mug and slurp down a hot mouthful. I then walk to my armchair and power up my laptop.
It’s been my routine for years, as steady as a quartz clock.
But what comes next has changed, and I wish it hadn’t.
I had no choice.
Until a year ago, after the laptop flickered awake, I clicked to a news website. Then to another. And another. I consumed news ravenously for an hour.
These days, I get to the news – eventually.
I first complete an online puzzle and then two more. I may watch a YouTube video or fiddle with one of these little essays.
It’s dither and delay as self-defense. I need it, although I feel some guilt.
I blame the man-child who returned 13 months ago to trouble all 8.3 billion inhabitants of Earth. Him, that inferno of unfettered impulses. The attention whore who trades access for money and starts wars because he can.
He is the Colossus of Chaos, and he has ruined the news.
I’m with you, Jeff. Don’t don’t do news at all except via my friends on FB.