Doomscrolling: Why do we do it?
Update: 2023-02-09
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We discuss if there is an evolutionary reason why we're attracted to bad news.
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Vocabulary doomscrolling spending a lot of time looking at your computer screen or mobile phone and reading bad news stories feel ick (US slang) feel sick, often because of something disgusting or disturbing on tap easily available so that you can have of much of it as you want, whenever you want make up for (something) compensate for something bad with something good romanticise (something) talk about something in a way that make it sound better than it really is 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger' saying which expresses the idea that by going through difficult life experiences, people build up strength and resilience for the future
Trascript sam Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Sam. Neil And I'm Neil. Sam Have you heard the expression doomscrolling, Neil? It's when people spend a lot of time reading, or 'scrolling', a mobile phone or computer screen in order to read negative news stories - stories full of doom. Neil I hate to admit it, but I do sometimes doomscroll. Sam Well don't feel too bad, Neil, because you're not alone. Research from the University of California found that people all over the world doomscroll, regardless of culture. What's more, there may even be evolutionary reasons why we're attracted to bad news. Neil In this programme, we'll be investigating why we feel compelled to look at, and even seek out, bad news. And, as usual, we'll be learning some new vocabulary, as well. Sam But before that I have a question for you, Neil. Doomscrolling is a very modern idea which is only possible with the 24/7, non-stop cycle of news reporting. So, according to international new