After nearly a semester of co-editing The Weather Vane, it’s time to come clean. Reading the news stresses me out. It gets me in a bad headspace that can last hours and often it gives me a more negative view of the world. It’s a time suck that is almost certainly not making a positive difference in my life, so then, why do I still do it to myself? Why do I read (and watch, and listen to) the news?

1. I read the news to stay informed. The world is massive and infinitely complex so it’s impossible to know everything that’s going on at all times. The most basic function of a newspaper is to sift through all the plethora of happenings and incidents and find the dirt, the newsworthy things that matter to their audience. Though the internet and social media are quickly changing the way we get our information, I find comfort in the institution’s traditional news media and prefer to trust them with my time and eyes. Being informed lets me make informed decisions on how I engage with the world and keeps me abreast of topics and stories I care about. Since returning from Europe last semester, I have enjoyed reading Viennese English language news sources. I get to learn more about people, places, and groups that I care about or want to know more about. Being informed lets me be involved in the conversation. 
2. I read the news to form opinions. Opinion pages are now where I would say I develop my strongest feelings on issues. In exposing myself to views and perspectives different from my own, I seek to widen my knowledge and nuance of important issues and topics. 
3. Likewise, I read the news to agree and to disagree with both what’s said and how it’s said. Reading the editorials and opinion pages gives me a clearer sense of where the sources I subscribe to are coming from and what perspectives they hold. Its the clearest place to see how I feel about current events and wider societal changes. The opinion pages are always relevant and I find them incredibly interesting. 
4. I read the news in order to trust my country and community. Seeing the thoughts and strident passion behind those who write and make the news gives me a bit of hope for the future. There are people out there who are trying to make progress and who care deeply about their communities, states, and the wider world. Hearing these things reminds me that everyone’s opinions matter and everyone deserves to be heard out. 
5. I read the news to procrastinate. Reading the news is one of my preferred ways to waste a few minutes (or hours and hours). On election nights or during major events, I find myself constantly refreshing the live news feed, interested in the happenings, but also needing a distraction. 
6. I read the news because I have to scroll through the entirety of the New York Times before I can play Wordle, Connections, The Crossword, and that new one, Strands.
7. I read the news to be an informed voter. I read the news to learn about the candidates and issues that I care about and decide how I’ll cast my ballot. 
8. I read the news to see what’s hip. When a topic or idea breaches the containment of Tik Tok, or shows up on the Culture pages of The Washington Post, I know it’s worth paying attention. Such sources have exposed me to great shows, books, and movies and have clued me in to works and topics from sectors of society that I wouldn’t have otherwise chanced into.
9. I read the news to know answers to quiz shows. Every Saturday, I listen to the latest episode of Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me on NPR and compete against the panelist to see how I stack up when it comes to knowledge of current events. The same goes for the New York Times quiz of the week’s past events. Winning these makes me feel superior to others and truly a quiz wizz. 
10. I read the news because I edit the Weather Vane and need to keep an eye on the competition.  

And so I am resigned to reading the news and all it’s accouterments. Despite the short term deficits, reading the news and exposing myself to the wider conversation is making me a better, more well rounded person. Be someone who is informed. Why do you read the news?