(c) http://mp3red.co/album/4692149/sunshine-on-scotland.html
Some of you will know I’ve had a run of health problems recently. In particular and stupidly, I got addicted to codeine-based painkillers last year. Withdrawal left me a bit scarred and though I seem to have overcome the anxiety attacks, depression is proving more stubborn. My efforts so far have not been enough so it’s time to try something else I’ve been reflecting on for a while.
I’m going to stop watching TV news. It’s clear from research that the endless tales of murders, rape, child abuse and other horrors are contributory to anxiety and depression.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/19/violent-media-anxiety_n_6671732.html
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/apr/12/news-is-bad-rolf-dobelli
Also, getting mad with BBC Reporting Scotland’s unpatriotic fake news, then writing to complain about it has been doing me no good. The replies would drive you….
I’ve written about how this might be unhealthy for all of us/you already:
I’m not giving up entirely, however, but I’m going to turn my face away from the daily horrors and the infuriating lies about the country I love and look on the bright side. There are lots of good news stories of Scotland to be told and maybe telling them will do more good than moaning about BBC Scotland. Folk who haven’t got it yet are never going to get it.
My most recent piece about the latest Independence poll has begun my new approach and I did a couple of good news pieces before that. Readership has been lower though! Size isn’t everything.
Anyway, thanks to all who have encouraged me. I’m no deid….yet!
Talking-up Scotland 
John, Sorry to hear about your on going health I don’t really blame you for not wanting to watch BBC RS as I often switch it off myself.
Please don’t go away all together as you have many followers who would miss you.
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Thanks for your kind comments. Much appreciated.
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Your health comes first John. To those of us who campaign on the doorstep, your insightful articles have been a great help in exposing the lies of the broadcasters, especially the B.B.C. Take good care of yourself, and I hope you return stronger than ever.
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Thanks. Maybe its time to ignore their lies. Fewer and fewer are watching.
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John,
As they didnae say in Roman times, “nil desperandum carborundum illegitimi”.
More power to your elbow. ;o)
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Maximums sum time years ago
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Maximus!
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I endorse the sentiment of Scott (above) wholeheartedly.
For some time now I have thought that the Yes side is very re-active, always playing catch up and having to counter the daily bullshit stories in the MSM and should perhaps try being more pro-active in getting good news stories out there. I was therefore pleased to see your latest posts doing just that.
It’s a pity that you have found the readership down for such stories but in a perverse way it may go a way to explaining the MSM’s obsession with bad news stories – bad news sells, or produces click bait bringing in advertising revenue (does not explain the BBC’s obsession however)
Enjoy your time away from TV news, I’m sure it will only improve your health.
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Cheers Finn. Lets see how it goes. I’m hopeful the MSM will just wither and die without any help from me.
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Never mind the width, it’s the quality, John. Yours is up there with the best. I look forward to following your new approach. All the best.
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Thanks BB. Your support is much valued.
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John,
As a fellow traveler on the road of anxiety & depression you have my every sympathy & encouragement to do exactly as you’ve suggested. I can’t watch the news, I struggle with social media, I had to take two years off reading the Indy blogs after 2014 & had to completely stop writing my own blog because of how all of these made me feel.
I would also say, and I hope this won’t make you feel under pressure, that we are really going to need you when the next campaign really starts so we need you rested for that & in tip top condition so please take all the time you need to look after yourself. You are a valuable asset for Scotland but clearly you are a finite one so let’s not waste you in this period of phony war before things really start.
Hugh
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Thanks Hugh. That makes sense. I’ll try.
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All the best John, frankly dunno how you managed to bring yourself to keep watching / monitoring BBC RS. Stopping that self harm will have enormous benefits. I haven’t watched it in years.
Wonder what the likes of D. Torrance, D. Fraser, E. McColm, T. Gordon, J. Bird, G. Campbell and G. Robertson feel like. Yuk whatever they are getting paid it ain’t worth the money.
It’s good not being one of them…….. That’s a positive.!
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Thanks CB. I’m going to be like Brian in life of
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‘News is toxic to your body. It constantly triggers the limbic system. Panicky stories spur the release of cascades of cortisol. This deregulates your immune system and inhibits the release of growth hormones. In other words, your body finds itself in a state of chronic stress. High cortisol levels cause impaired digestion…. nervousness…. the other potential side effects include fear, aggression, tunnel vision and desensitisation. (Guardian 12 April 2013 by Rolf Dobelli
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Very best wishes from my wife and I, John.
Your professional expertise in media-monitoring regarding Scottish independence has been majorly influential and deeply appreciated. From the very outset you rattled the main culprits. A brilliant, much-cheered achievement in itself. And courageous, given the disgraceful attempt of Pacific Quay to isolate you academically and intimidate you into silence.
For those of us whose exasperation at BBC Scotland coverage was (corrosively) visceral, your objective confirmation of bias was really therapeutic. Here was robust statistical evidence which could be calmly addressed to dishonest perpetrators and honestly unconvinced. Why it has been emotionally costly for you is well understood. Most of us could de-stress by switching off (in whatever sense). Not so easy for you, the vigilant sentry.
So you obviously need to do your head a favour now. Maybe get into some absorbing novels (pretentious or trashy!). Some engrossing movies. Paolo Sorrentino’s “Il Divo” about Giulio Andreotti is a stylish watch, to make a random suggestion….
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Thank you both very much. Actually feeling a bit better today not having watched news for 36 hours now. Fingers crossed. And thanks for the ideas too.
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Sorry to hear about your personal struggles, John. Just remember, your research is valued by all pro indy folk who watch the media with a critical eye, and it will be needed more than ever in the months ahead.
Chin up and keep fighting.
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I’ll try
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You have had too many battles John , time to let the younger soldiers take up the gauntlet , I hope they will .However I cannot quite see you sitting on the side-lines so I hope you continue as a ” good news Scotland ” site , telling us all about the good things you see happening around Scotland that none of us ever hear about , sure that will help to lift your spirits . I wish you better health .
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Thanks. Appreciated.
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Good for you John! 🙂 I am sure it won’t be easy making the changes, but recognising which parts of your life need changed is a big step for moving on, and you have made such a hugely valuable contribution already, you can be sure you have done your bit for promoting sense and sensibility. Your readership has likely reduced because once folks realise how badly warped our news is, they know they can safely ignore all scare stories & do not feel the need to look at its analysis any more. You have already contributed much much more to Scotland’s future than the majority of people (… Um, sorry, I don’t have statistics to prove that…) and you can feel satisfied you have done more than your bit – Scotland and sense can now look after itself 🙂 you have given lots of people ideas on how it should be done & some will be able to take up the analysis/complaining mantle.
Watching some of House of Commons, again, last night I wondered at how the Scottish MPs keep up morale – the derision they are faced with moment by moment would make me want to curl up and die – and then they started up a sing-along during division! The chair was kind when he asked them to stop the choir practice. You need full-on arrogance, as Alex Salmond has, to deal with that kind of job. (Or a good singing voice 🙂 ).
In solidarity with your lifestyle changes, I am promising myself to give up rambling – though I have promised this for many decades now, I’ll try harder.
I know you can’t try and force yourself to do too much for a start, but for ideas on how to overcome tv-withdrawal, can I recommend writing lists of fun things you could be doing instead e.g. get a camper van and travel the country taking photos, finding good news first hand. I can recommend science fiction books for relaxation and distancing yourself from the real world – I recommend Iain M Banks (his sci fi books are a lot less weird than his fiction). And have you tried any free online courses (MOOCs)? FutureLearn is my place of choice, the learners are truly international in scope, the courses only last a few weeks usually, they give a taster of lots of different subjects, it is only a few hours a week, there is no obligation to finish any (I rarely do). As long as you don’t choose something like ‘controversy of the British empire’ (did that a couple of years ago and was shocked to find quite a number of people angry that it wasn’t showing the British empire as something glorious! The professor in charge kept repeating that was why ‘controversy’ was in the title!), comments are focused on the subject at hand and no vileness. I can recommend Hadrian’s wall course presented by Newcastle university (usually starts in June if they are doing it this year), witness psychology was excellent if they are doing it again this year (one of the few I finished!). I did Gravity and the Big Bang etc just a few months before they discovered gravity waves – very exciting! The Higgs boson course is a bit heavy going even if you’ve done physics so ,,, anyway, they give you a description & recommended prior knowledge (mostly ‘none’). Great way to find out what you might be interested in, here’s a link
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/categories
Take up yoga and take lots of fresh air walks!
I will give up rambling tomorrow. Procrastination, unfortunately, is another issue I have. Take care of yourself, think of a new website title (goodnewsScotland e.g.), give us pretty photos of Scotland.
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your rambles are good for me. Don’t stop. Tried yoga. Too ruminative at the mo?
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New Slogan for Infirm Scotland billboards and vans…….“BBC Mis-Reporting Scotland is BAD for your Health”
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Spelling….Inform not Infirm
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Dunno, ‘infirm’ kinda works… 🙂
Can you think of a positive slogan? ‘Give Up BBC News to Feel Good’ hmm, not quite made it there either.
(See how concise and non-rambly this comment is?)
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Don’t be contrary, keep rambling
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Rambling is good for your health. I believe doctors have been urged to proscribe walking as a health benefit for all kinds of ills.
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John
we need you !
From April the battle will no longer be with the BBC – as self-regulation on bias has been taken away from them. Likely as not, your work could have helped in some small way to bring this about
We will now need to engage of OFGEM https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/ofcom-and-the-bbc
If there is anything folk at Inform Scotland can do to help you along, please let us know
Cadogan
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Therapy?
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I used to be a teacher so forgive me but if they proscribe walking we’d all be in trouble. Hoover, you’re absolutely right and I am walking quite a lot. Read somewhere first Australians believe in big walks to walk away from your illness and leave it behind.
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Look after yourself, John. I’m not really a commenter but I’m sure I’ve read just about all that you have written both here and on Newsnet. I’ve learnt a lot. I like the new good news format. Thank you for all that you’ve done.
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Thanks Jenny
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I just wanted to say how much I have appreciated your amazing efforts and highly effective campaigning, on our behalf.You put your head above the parapet, on our behalf and this has taken its toll on your health.
I switched off from the news and stopped reading/buying the papers a year or so ago and found the silence to be golden and frees up time to pursue more positive things… art, movies, books, bird watching, walking and love of nature.
I wish you all the best and to take time to recuperate and I am so grateful for your efforts.
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
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Haha! If we have got to the pun stage I am in trouble, contrary to expectations, my word-use usually leaves me open to all sorts misinterpretations and I’m not sharp enough for good retorts. I can hold my own face-to-face with excessive eye-rolling, but will need a new technique for written bad-joke-rebuttal. My favourite type of humour is irony, but I have learnt that it should not be used, under any circumstances, unless someone knows you well!
Don’t encourage me to ramble! I have been holding back! You would not believe how much I could write about how fascinating Hadrian’s Wall is, how, after two,,, um, 3 now, years myself & friend have still not managed to finish walking it – keep getting distracted by fascinating side trips – and how we have travelled along all of the Antonine Wall (drive and stop at key points, found archaeological maps on the Internet. ,,, though we have walked along much of the canal that follows it in the past). We joined an archaeologist-led walk and found out they don’t actually know where it ended at the Bo’ness end, so that was a very ramble walk. Kinneil house is another discovery over that way (remains of a fort? in the grounds) that seems to have a fascinating history. We have still to plan out visiting Gask Ridge, the true northern frontier of the Romans, that is a series of forts, not a wall, that runs through Perthshire (when I say ‘a series of forts’ I mean you get to look at empty fields and see if you can spot a ditch, you get good at spotting ditches after a while). Yes, easily distracted. There are tons of good ditches on the Antonine wall, and the Huntarian has most of the distance slabs the Romans, allegedly, built into the wall. This is a stark warning for how far FutureLearn courses can lead you astray. There are lots of Iron Age forts to discover once we are bored with the Romans too.
Yoga is always good for you, and, as giving-up-rambling has been deemed unsuitable as lifestyle-change-solidarity, I will start doing a minimum of 15mins every morning of yoga solidarity (I’ve been saying I will do this for ONLY a year). If you already know the principles & most of the moves, I would say forget about classes, get an app, and just do as much as you feel like. I can’t last through a class myself these days, head buzzing by the end of the day, can’t relax etc, but just a few stretches in the morning does you the world of good (when you get round to it). The app I got gives different themes for different lengths of time at different levels (I should perhaps have moved on from ‘beginners relaxation 15minutes’ but my aim is for getting into a daily habit!). Once you are focused on the agony of your hips getting stretched, and get all your chakras aligned, it’s fine 🙂 .
I love what you have done with the website header! That was very quick,,, talk about decision-making and action 🙂
See, go on for too long, and I might not have time to comment on pigs (mostly on how tasty they are),,,
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I prescribe no more proscribing – freedom!
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I didn’t know of your difficulties but wish you well in your new guise as “Happy John”. There are many ways to “skin a rabbit” and I am sure you will find a way to achieve your aims. So it will be “beware the smile on the face of the tiger” from now on. Best wishes Jock
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Cheers from one Jock to another.
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Slainte Mhath agus Slainte Mhor John
So sorry to learn of you being unwell John.
As others have said, your health has to come first – so, look after yourself – we all need your tightly focused analysis.
Just occasionally, I do sense that a difference has already been made – but that may be just my eternal optimism?
Wishing you all the best with whatever you do in the short term and longer term future.
Colin
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Thanks for the kind words.
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48 hours without watching TV News. I sense an improvement already. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/apr/12/news-is-bad-rolf-dobelli
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