Every form of media has shaped our nation and our community in unique ways. Radio brought us closer, allowing us to hear the news as it unfolded. Television gave us a powerful new perspective through visual imagery. Then, the internet changed the speed of news forever.

But in the age of 24/7 headlines and the race to be “first,” accuracy, context and human impact were sacrificed. Being first seemed to prove one thing: more clicks and more money.

I saw this firsthand at a local television station where I started my career after college. Even then, I had ideas about covering more of the good happening in our community, even if limited to a specific segment or day. I brought those ideas to meetings with the marketing and news teams.

But the conversation was always the same.

We weren’t just competing with other stations; we were competing with ourselves. Year after year, we were driven to obtain higher ratings, more traffic and more engagement. “Negativity means more clicks,” or something to that effect, was echoed often in those meetings.

I felt like our community had so much good to offer, but it was always overshadowed. Why did every shooting, every fire, every crime lead the news, while people doing incredible, uplifting things in our city barely earned a few seconds, or sometimes nothing at all? I couldn’t understand it. It felt like priorities were in the wrong place.

And the truth is, this has been happening for years.

Perhaps we’ve become desensitized to it with the rise of social media, trained to expect it. We’ve grown accustomed to engaging with negativity because that’s what we’re shown over and over.

This dynamic isn’t limited to the media. Social media gave everyone a platform and a “paper” of their own, a megaphone to share opinions or frustrations. Anger sparks reaction. Ask any small-business owner, and they’ll tell you a single bad experience will almost always result in a negative review or social media post. But the hundreds of people who enjoyed their visit often say nothing at all.

But why?

It’s something I’ve thought about often. People are biologically wired to pay closer attention to negativity. From an evolutionary standpoint, our brains were built to detect danger, pain or conflict as a way to protect ourselves. Positive emotions simply don’t evoke the same types of reactions.

Anger, in particular, is known as a “high-arousal” emotion. It elevates your heart rate, triggers adrenaline and prompts action. In the digital age, that action is often grabbing your phone and venting online. Happiness, a “low-arousal” emotion, doesn’t inspire the same urge to react.

Social media has amplified these urges and emotions. When someone feels wronged, posting about it online often gives them a sense of control, a way to demand “justice.” They feel seen and heard. As they receive more likes and comments, a feeling of validation forms and grows stronger.

Media companies aren’t naive to this.

They know what anger does and understand the psychology behind it. That’s why headlines are often sensational or emotionally charged. It’s why stories are structured to trigger our impulses instead of our empathy.

I’ve seen it happen. I know the demands placed on reporters and producers, especially in legacy media such as newspapers, television and radio. When something negative happens in our city, guess who’s first to cover it?

They often claim the reporting is in the name of impartiality and then put out a positive or alternative piece afterward. But it’s not helpful to pour gasoline on a fire and then try to put it out. That’s not balance. That’s not fairness. The damage is already done. The negative story almost always spreads quickly, while the “good news” follow-up becomes little more than a footnote. But now the media can claim they were fair because they covered “both sides.”

Online, we often see negativity disguised as humor. People have learned that sarcasm, shaming or “roasting” others can generate reactions and even faster shares. Negativity wrapped in comedy feels lighter and more socially acceptable, but it still feeds the same impulse: to tear down rather than build up.

It gets engagement, and for many creators, it feels like the easiest way to go viral. But what’s sacrificed in the process is empathy, kindness and real connection. Just because something is funny doesn’t mean it’s harmless. We have to be more intentional about the kind of “entertainment” we reward.

It starts with us. While the algorithm helps dictate what content we see, we’re also shaping our personal algorithm every day through what we interact with.

Legacy media tactics and social media in the digital age both play roles in the climate we’re living in today. While some of it may be systemic, it doesn’t absolve responsibility. What we share, what we prioritize and how we frame it all matter, not just for views or clicks, but for our communities, our emotions, our mental health and our future.

So the question becomes: If we’re biologically wired to react to negativity, are we stuck with it?

Not necessarily.

While our brains are primed to detect threats, they’re also capable of change. Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to rewire and reshape patterns over time. Just as we’ve been conditioned to react to negativity, we can retrain ourselves and others to seek, value and engage with positivity.

But it takes intention.

One solution is to build habits around celebrating the good. This can start small. In your own feed, share that great experience you had with a local business or highlight your neighbor doing something kind. Businesses can encourage reviews not just when something goes wrong, but also when things go right. Make it easy, invite it often and, most importantly, respond with gratitude. Everyone wants to feel seen.

For media and content creators, the challenge is bigger, but not impossible. The key is understanding that positivity doesn’t have to mean boring. Uplifting stories can still be emotional, urgent and engaging. They just have to be told well. Instead of leading with fear, lead with hope, curiosity or awe.

We get it. At the end of the day, media is a business. You have to make money. You want more clicks. But instead, craft stories that tap into admiration instead of outrage. Give people something to aspire to, not just something to be angry about.

Try reframing the narrative. Even negative news can be balanced with solutions or progress. It’s not about ignoring the bad. It’s about refusing to let it be the only narrative.

We, as a community, have a responsibility as well. Rally behind local media when they share positive news and spotlight stories of resilience or innovation. When you support those outlets, share those stories and amplify their reach, you help make positivity profitable. When clicks start going to positive news, the media will follow.

The truth is, it’s not just about what the media puts out there. It’s also about what we choose to consume, engage with and share.

We may be wired for negativity, but we’re not powerless to change the narrative.

This article was originally published in the June 2026 issue of Three18 Insider magazine.