Article Source: The Positive Observer

Written - March 2009

One year ago, we asked a range of different people the question "Can Positive News Sell?" They responded. Consider the fact that their responses were give prior to noticeable changes in our economy: employment cuts, the housing crunch and corporate mishaps. Do you think such attitudes are the same today? Maybe there has been a shift? And if there has been a shift towards seeking good, positive and forward-moving stories and actions, do you think there might be a shift backwards once our current economic environment improves?

Take a minute and view this sampling from a year ago. What would have been your response back then? What is it know? Have we grown?

Here are a few responses:

• People only remember the bad news.
• Bad news always appears more interesting.  There seems to be more drama and excitement when negative news is released, making it enticing to the general public.  Negative news also makes you look at your life and realize "things really are not that bad here in my world".
• Unfortunately people make themselves feel better by hearing that others are having a tough time or going through adversity. Most people don't believe that each individual can be happy at the same time. I think it is a common misconception that people think in order for some individuals to be happy others can not be happy.  

• The brain’s development has been toward a “negative bias”, so that we pay more attention to things that may harm us.
• Media has a bias toward the negative to mirror our bias for the negative; this will gain our attention, so the message, whatever it may be, can be sold for profit or control depending upon the motive. If we were to walk about believing all is ok…that there is nothing to harm us or to be fearful of…control would be less easy.
• It’s a learned behavior. Newspapers needed to generate sales and did so by sensationalizing on misfortunate events and bad choices. As children we were brought up with newspapers and TV News that contained these “sensational” stories and as we grew it continued to be a part of our lives that we accept but not necessarily enjoy or agree with.
• Positive News may go against how we are hard wired as a species. Remember our first response to information is the fight or flight response. If I don't have to stand my ground and fight or if I don't have to run, then comes all the other ways to filter our experience.  
• I think that as a society we are all so depressed and unhappy that it makes us feel better to hear when other people are suffering and troubled.  It's kind of like "misery loves company".
• It lacks the shock factor...sadly. Human nature reacts much more to a building on fire rather than a new building for orphaned children.
• Negative news and controversey bring in more money.
• Negative news works with humans because we relate to fear and guilt well. Media, advertising and some government guarntees these things.