What you feed your mind shapes how you experience the world

You have to feed your mind daily with the good, clean, pure, powerful and positive

Zig Ziglar

Do you ever feel uneasy while walking on a crowded street, traveling alone in a cab, waiting for the lift, or opening the door when the bell rings unexpectedly?
Do you find yourself doubting people—new or familiar—or feeling uncomfortable around certain individuals?

Crime-based shows and web series are drawing larger and larger audiences. “Reality-based” and hyper-realistic content receives overwhelming support on OTT platforms. Many of these programs are designed to grip viewers through stories rooted in mistrust, crime, violence, fear, and anxiety.

From the comfort of our homes—while eating, relaxing, or spending time with family—we consume these shows as entertainment. Watching them makes us feel involved, as though we are solving puzzles and mysteries alongside the characters. The thrill comes from speculating why criminals act the way they do.

Every channel and platform competes for attention. Content is promoted aggressively. Children, young adults, and adults alike are drawn in—sometimes out of curiosity, sometimes boredom, sometimes during mindless scrolling. And before we know it, we’re hooked.

Over time, certain characters and groups become stereotyped. This can quietly instill fear, anxiety, and trust issues. Research suggests that repeated exposure to violent content can increase aggression—and we seem to witness its impact more and more in daily life.

News consumption adds another layer. Headlines are dominated by crime, theft, accidents, corruption, and conflict. People doing good rarely make the news unless their impact is massive or backed by influence and money.

Slowly, a perception forms: that the world is becoming a terrible place to live.
We rarely talk about the 95% of people who are not harming others—those who are simply trying to live peacefully and contribute in their own ways. Yet our conversations and thoughts revolve around a small percentage of people creating chaos, amplified by what we watch and read.

Of course, everyone has the freedom to choose what they watch. News channels, filmmakers, and platforms have freedom of expression too. But the responsibility that should come with that freedom often takes a backseat in the race for TRPs and viewership. Any attempt at regulation or moderation is quickly met with backlash.

Actors, storytellers, directors, and platforms aim to evoke strong emotions—it’s part of their job. Trauma is often glamorized because it keeps audiences engaged.

Still, no one can force us to consume disturbing content. It may be promoted aggressively and delivered instantly, but ultimately, we decide what we feed our mind.

So the question is simple:
Would you like to be the gatekeeper of your mind—and allow in only what truly benefits you?.

—Anitha KC