This was the view from my house on Halloween Day.  It was a scary day.  Some neighbors were evacuated and then returned home in the early evening. In the end, six homes had damage and no one was hurt.

As the electricity went out and the fire crews went up and down the street, we gathered on porches, shared meals, and offered portable cell phone chargers.  Our public servants were doing a great job and we felt safe. The support and camaraderie in our little neighborhood was heart warming and fun.

What  I found intriguing was the apocalyptic news coverage. Outside the Allied Gardens evacuation center a newscaster was reporting in a dramatic and urgent voice.  Behind her was a view of an open door with one person. … Only one? Viewers were not shown the inside of the building or if there were any cars in the parking lot.

Hmmmm….

The news needs to make news. The more dramatic the news, the better the ratings. The better the ratings, the more viewers they have, and the more the TV stations can charge for advertising.

This makes me think about the apocalyptic news we are getting about the outcome of the election.  I’ve had more than one client ask, “should I just sell everything now?”  No!  I think the news is using this election season to keep us glued to our news feeds and drive ratings.  It’s dividing the country and scaring viewers. I wonder if, like the fire, the news isn’t showing us what’s truly inside the building or in the parking lot?  How much of the stories are written to fit the narrative or boost ratings?

None of us knows what will happen next week.  Not knowing is scary.  History shows us that things do work out in the long run.  This is why we diversify and why we invest for the long run.

Stay the course!
Barbara

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