I can't look at the news anymore. What are some alternative websites?

March 5, 2020 6:45 AM

I've been obsessing over coronavirus updates and I have to stop. Problem is, I work at a computer and surf the internet when I take breaks. What can I look at to replace the awful news. I like sites like Kottke and boing boing that have cool, interesting and smart links to tech and culture. Any suggestions on what to look at as well as any stories on how to stay mentaly sane during this crisis? Thanks.
posted by captainscared to Computers & Internet (10 answers total)

This is Colossal is has a neat blend of art and photography with a modern edge.

I've also been reading food blogs (like Budget Bytes) and home decorating/remodeling blogs (Addicted 2 Decorating and Young House Love, for example) myself, since they rarely overlap main news stories the way tech sites like the The Verge do (I mean I still read The Verge, but I'm more likely to run into The Stress in doing so).
posted by past unusual at 7:12 AM on March 5, 2020 [2 favorites]

boredpanda, captainawkward, digg, MeFi's Own everlasting blort. Pocket is a great source.

Reading stuff on the web has shortened my reading attention span, and I am working on getting it back by reading books on my phone. My library has an okay selection of books I can download.
posted by theora55 at 8:00 AM on March 5, 2020 [3 favorites]

Same.

I like "what's in my bag?" sites, such as this one. Not great for the wallet, but pleasant and slightly zen (for me anyway).
posted by theredpen at 9:07 AM on March 5, 2020

On the blue, yesterday.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:26 AM on March 5, 2020 [2 favorites]

Maybe Laughing Squid
posted by Glinn at 9:57 AM on March 5, 2020 [2 favorites]

how to stay mentaly sane during this crisis?

Consider installing a net nanny that completely blocks news websites.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:01 AM on March 5, 2020

Scalzi's Whatever blog has a feature called "Big Idea" where he invites authors (heavily SFF skewed) to talk about the ideas behind their novels. As far as I know he hasn't posted about the coronavirus at all yet, but if you limit your reading to the "Big Idea" tag I think you can avoid it if he does.
posted by foxfirefey at 10:25 AM on March 5, 2020

Start a tumblr account and search around for art and stuff that you are into. Your tumblr dashboard of stuff you follow can be whatever you want it to be and it’s not a terribly newsy space.
posted by wowenthusiast at 10:47 AM on March 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

Previously, quite recently.
posted by JonJacky at 10:53 AM on March 5, 2020

You may want to check out Superpunch, the Comics Curmudgeon, and Longreads for alternative reading material.

There is also Coping with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak (WHO) via Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public (WHO)

And from Psychology Today: Why Your Doctor Is Not Panicking About Novel Coronavirus, Coronavirus: Countering Your Fears, Covid-19: What Is the "Right" Amount of Scared?, and Our Brains on Coronavirus (a psychiatrist's tips for staying calm and focused)

And previously: Cabin Fever's Better than Coronavirus... (AskMe) via Disaster Planning & Recovery (MeFi Wiki)
posted by katra at 11:18 AM on March 5, 2020 [2 favorites]