People's appetite for news is so universal and intense that I have to wonder if it's serving some important purpose that the author is missing.

I, too, have moved away from most kinds of news. I only read tech news, and I could make an argument that tech news is more actionable. But even that, I spend less time on fewer sites. I used to look forward to a chance to catch up on HN, now I read it mostly during moments when I'm waiting for something else.

So, what am I (and the author) missing? Or what is society missing because we don't participate in the news cycle?