[yumiris]

Current journalism optimises for fear (especially after how lucrative COVID-19 reporting has proven to be). The more fearful and angry people feel, the more news they'll continue to consume.

It's best to take a break from reading too much about the current Ukraine situation. This doesn't mean being completely blind to it; however, balancing between your mental health and knowledge of current affairs will help you cope with the ongoing situation more than anything.

[neverminder]

I was never afraid of Corona. Not when it started 2 years ago and especially not now.

But a homicidal dictator with his finger on the red button is concerning to put it mildly.

My way of approaching this is optimizing for survival. Getting a go bag, planning what to do when the sirens start going off. I understand there would be about 15 minute advance warning. I'm in central London, which if of course bad. But there is a strategy - to go to the Tube (underground trains) and then after the hit, use the tunnels to reach the outskirts of the city.

[jokethrowaway]

I was very afraid about COVID; I went on a preventive personal lockdown 2 weeks before the government one. Then in April 2020, when the data rolled in showing ridiculously low mortality I chilled and I spent 2 years waiting for idiotic governments to stop infringing on my freedom.

Russia doesn't have enough manpower to conquer Europe and nukes are highly unlikely. The narrative that Putin is mad is ridiculous, he just decided that isolation from Europe is the lesser evil compared to being surrounded by NATO countries.

Nukes are highly unlikely because retaliation would damage everyone on all sides, Putin is just using them as leverage.

Once one side has technology to somehow defend from enemy nukes, then nukes could become a viable option, albeit an incredibly risky one.

This is just bluffs and media spreading fear.

[sliken]

"The narrative that Putin is mad is ridiculous"

Dunno, people that have been watching him for a decade or more have seen a significant change for the worse as of late. He was smart, shrewd, and in control. Not so much lately.

[neverminder]

> The narrative that Putin is mad is ridiculous

It may not be so ridiculous. If you watch his earlier public appearances - he's always a stone cold sociopath in control. In his latest appearances he's increasingly erratic and struggles to keep his cool. Remember he's 70 years old now which is well into the risk zone for serious health problems. Alzheimers? Terminal cancer? What would you do in his place if you were told that? What if he wants to go out with a bang? He couldn't just straight out declare war on NATO, what if by going after Ukraine he actually hopes for escalation?

[pjerem]

Sorry if my comment looks like I've seen too much movies, but even if Putin, as a human, have nothing to lose, everyone else in Russia have a lot to lose. I know there isn't lot of counter-powers but couldn't he be stopped by some Russia's agency where a lot of people have a lot to lose ? I know he have a great control over most state employed people including KGB, but doesn't this control starts to fail apart when everyone is afraid about the country being nuked ?

Bonus : it feels like a true opportunity for someone powerful enough to steal the power.

[hef19898]

Well, considering how unstable Pakistan was at times, it seems just not thinking too much about it really helps. Or North Korea.

[farias0]

That's absolutely true. Remember that there's a bias for the kind of headline that reaches you: They tend to be the most sensationalist ones, simply because that's how us humans are wired. Everyone wants to talk about nuclear war because it's a grabbing subject, but few are willing to reminds us of mutual assured destruction, which is something leaders everywhere are extremely aware of.

[timeon]

It is not just about journalism. If you feel anxious then I would suggest to check the news just occasionally and no social media.

[yumiris]

You're right -- I forgot to mention social media; definitely exacerbates the doom narrative.

[Alan_Dillman]

Right. There is an insidious notion that 'knowing'is 'doing'. Slacktivism, as it was once called.

Much as an idea has no value, while an implementation might, engagement does not equate with amelioration.