Media and the expat

In the US, I rarely, if ever pick up the newspaper. For the last two years, that would have been the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a mix of conservative ranting and furniture ads, so I forgive myself for that. But because I am a reading junkie, something picked up from my Dad, I did find myself reading other "legitimate" news sources; US Weekly, People, and occasionally People Style. This was my attempt to stay current on the news that somehow seemed relevant to my life, a testament to both the quality of US journalism in general and my own narrow view of what I think of as relevant. So I find it interesting, that now, living in a country almost half a world away from the US, I read not just one, but several newspapers everyday. The New York Times online is my morning read, then the New Yorker, and inevitably I click my way to a range of other news sources and blogs, finding myself just yesterday in the National Review, which was for me, a new foray into conservative journalism. I'm not sure why I think this is strange. I guess because the reason I left the US was to get away from it and now I find myself tracking developments religiously. Perhaps I do this because now I get to pick and choose what parts of American culture I want to surround myself with. I dont have to hear about the President's latest fiasco or Brangelina's newest family member unless I want to. I can read about why Obama is better equipped to be the President than John McCain or pick and choose articles highlighting Palin's many, many weaknesses. I dont need to hear about the girl that was abducted or the latest doping scandal. The parts of the news that are so often highlighted in evening news or mainstream media, the parts of the news that are basically why I stopped watching the news or reading the newspapers, are blessedly missing from my life. I am not bombarded with newspapers, magazines, black and white pictures and fantastic headlines. I have to look for what I want to read and even though its more work, I definitely find it more rewarding. Its as though by leaving the US and choosing to keep up-to-date with only specific things, I get to recreate my own country, free of sensationalism and abounding with intelligent commentary. I suppose its dangerous since I have to come back some day, but for now, I enjoy the superpower I have created.