Suggestions On How To Stop Being Jerked Around

We talked about being jerked around last time. Our focus is the various media inputs that we allow ourselves to be subjected to. Let's pick up from there with some additional suggestions about how we can wrest control of our lives from these digital inputs that range from time-wasters, to manipulative machinations, even to downright evil.

We've successfully extricated ourselves from excessive time checking local and national news. (You have done that, right?) Now let's look at those other "news" sources many of us access.

Such sources have grown exponentially since many of us began to look askance at what is now termed "major," or "legacy," or "mainstream" media. The rejection of these has created a whole palette of "alternative" media. Many of these have become the new tar-babies that cling to us, once we allow them into the sacred space of our minds and souls. 

It's one thing to seek sources of information that expand our knowledge and understanding. It's altogether another thing to shift our time and attention from something old to something new, rather than inform, keeps us in its thrall.

So, for example, we might look at non-U.S. news feeds to see what others in the world see. That can expand our understanding. Not that those other sources are all good, vs. U.S. sources. But they can frequently either report on matters ignored here, or show us how the rest of the world is thinking of something like, most recently, the war with Iran.

Alternately, we might seek the opinions of those with whom we typically disagree. Allowing their thoughts to be better understood sometimes yields a nugget or two worth savoring. 

A personal example: In my work in the field of planning and investments, I occasionally check into the main stream financial media to see what they're throwing out there, much of which is nonsense. But occasionally, a report of something relevant to my work creeps in. Also, I will read a piece from a source that sees the financial world quite differently than I. Sometimes the mere contemplation of that view will shake up my own thinking. And that's helpful to keeping me on my toes. Otherwise, I'd sink into a kind of one and done or know-it-all mentality that is lethal to advising on other people's (never mind my own!) money.

Expanding on this, let's take "one and done." You might surmise that when engaging in the art of financial planning, there's no one way to guide the ordinary folks that have sought my services. Everyone's different. We'll not delve into this now. Maybe another time. For now, thought, let's simply accept what should be an obvious fact.

In the realm of investments, when providing guidance to the so-called "retail" investor, we find a similar situation. Sure, there are some tried and true approaches to asset allocation. And for many these may be appropriate. But, again, ordinary folks aren't like institutions whose time horizon is essentially infinite. They have productive working years earning money, they may have families to provide for, they reach an age when they stop earning money, they die (to be blunt). 

We might accept the acclaimed track record of the 60/40 portfolio (60% stocks/40% bonds) especially in the years of accumulating assets to provide for post-earning years (retirement). We might accept the advice to put as much as possible into our 401k's, IRAs, etc. to take advantage of tax deferral. But many factors can intercede that require us to craft things in a way that better suits an individual or family's needs. Again, not time to delve into this now, but if you've ever come up against an unexpected need for a large sum of money today, and all your assets are tied up in your 401k, you might get this point right away. 

Well, we've digressed a bit much here, but ideally the points been made: Don't stick to the views provided by one source.

Additionally, we might address those who lean left or right, liberal or conservative, libertarian, MAGA, so-called alternative or independent media vs. main-stream/legacy medica - whatever. We've known many who tune into their preferred tribe's info flow. Indeed, they are virtually addicted to such sources. And in their addiction, they receive constant confirmation of their ardently held views on politics, economics, markets, etc. It's a kind of feel-good circle.

Listening or reading only those who agree with you will never lead to any increase in knowledge or understanding. And the information one thinks one has gained must be held suspect as well. Even from those with whom you agree, facts may be skewed away from truth. That's simply the way things work.

We've been focused on this theme for two weeks now. We hope those of you who haven't given this the attention it deserves will be motivated to adjust your exposure to the nonsense, exaggerations and lies that proliferate out there - all of which are only intensified when war takes center stage.

Meanwhile, our weekend looms. It's a time for refreshment and regeneration. Not a time to stock up on all the digital inputs that cloud our thinking and jerk around our emotions.

Just sayin'.