The word that best describes my digital news habits is contradictory. It’s inescapable that I am a creature of my century. Rather than printed newspaper purists or prime-time (and on-time) fanatics, I’ve satiated my predilection for news through podcasts. As a journalism student, I couldn’t run far enough away from the audio journalism medium. I justify this contradiction with a basic theory: love languages. More on that later. For now, let’s talk politics. 

I have made, what some people would call, the brave decision to launch myself into the consumption of and the (future) coverage of national politics. To reinject some modesty, I’ll say right now that it is less a brave choice and more a naive one. Political philosophy opened the door of my interest, but national debate and disagreement turned the key. 

I can’t say I care about Biden’s favorite flavor of ice cream or a congresswoman’s flight back to reality after accusing Jews of manning space lasers. I do, however, care about the effects of COVID-19, the direction of the Supreme Court, a receding Afghanistan, an ever-burning Arab-Israeli conflict, violence in our cities, the ever-intensifying plight of the inner-city student, and all the rest. Like everyone else in the country, I am trying to keep my eyes abroad and home simultaneously. Overseas, I’m looking to Ukraine. At home, I’m looking at surging case numbers and to the chambers of the High Court. I can’t omit good old Wisconsin, however. 

Though it’s easy for me to have tunnel-vision, I look to Wisconsin news for COVID-19 data and guidelines. For most of my life, I had written off local news, but I’m slowly coming around. And here’s where social media plays a part. I recently subscribed to the Facebook outlet, MadisonMinutes. It’s refreshing to receive short, concise doses that keep me grounded in the Midwest. Though social media has given me this, I try not to inform myself through memes and overly long, politically-charged rants (I’ve heard some do this). 

When I am unplugged from a particular story, social media may strike my curiosity, but the Google “News” option fills in the details. This usually happens with sports; it took a few days for me to realize that the Packers disappointed us again. Though I’ve been known to pop on to CNN’s homepage or see what USA Today has to offer, I don’t hound news websites. The reason for this is twofold: cynicism and time.

I won’t lie and say that I don’t lean in one direction. I shoot for the center, but I usually find myself a little right of it. For no nonsense, straight news stories, I’ll look to the bigger names: The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN. From what I’ve discovered, there’s a lot of junk out there; this pronouncement includes both wings. My search for solemnity and reason is far from perfect, but I’ve found myself attracted to long-form podcasts. Cable news just seems like a joke to me. One podcast I particularly favor is the Megyn Kelly Show. No, it’s not perfect. I struggle to believe that those who claim to be unbiased are truly so. With that said, I like to look to the voices that entertain, converse and argue with both perspectives. Pursuing a news career, I know I have a long way to go in developing my habits. Right now, podcasts fit well in my life.

While engaged in necessary yet mindless activity, such as driving, cleaning or exercising, I’ll turn on a podcast. Listening has proven a fantastic way to gain information quickly. Through podcast archives, I can also monitor my favorite hosts for consistency. I have a lot of work to do, however.

As the world seems to be forever descending into madness, I do hope I can ascend into a realm of balance, debate, honesty and consistency. I assume my future news consumption habits will follow people and not news brands. Substack piques my curiosity. When both aisles begin to scream, I sometimes find it hard to pay attention. I’ve chosen my path, but it’s obvious that there are some bits of irony present: I want to write for a newspaper, but I don’t frequent them for myself; I’m somewhat disillusioned with the mainstream media, but I have no qualms working in the mainstream.

Contradictions aside, I think it’s important we all find a way to contribute to those things we care about. I’ve decided I care about the inner-workings of my polity, and I want to contribute my reason, civility and words towards it. Enter love languages. The way we receive affection differs from the way we send it. It’s the same with a message. I decode audio, and I will send words. As I wrestle with my contradictions, I’ll keep listening, and I’ll keep writing.