Why engage with mass media At All?

People writing (online) often claim to be disengaged from mass media (in which I include social media) - or having a "fast" from it. But in reality this (much lake fasting from food) this does not mean a total cessation of contact, but actually means being selective and cutting down the amount of what is consumed. 

This is because the mass media is so pervasive and attention-grabbing that one could only avoid it by ceasing social (and economic) activity. 

Furthermore, and increasingly, participation is mandatory - for example in the dissemination of official and corporate information, and access to restricted services, it is assumed/ insisted that people have smart phones with them at all times. 

I notice this, because I don't have an SP - but that is only possible because I have retired from work, and am prepared to do-without some permissions and conveniences. And also because all my family have smartphones, and I sometimes substitute my eight-inch "tablet" computer.

But for most people, significant levels of exposure to the mass media is literally unavoidable - so the best and most that can be managed is (as I said) to be selective and reduce the amount and time-spent in usage and consumption. 

To have significant chunks of time away from it. 

Is there any positive reason to engage with mass media? 

Well, of course - like almost everything - the media are only evil overall, and not in every respect. So selectivity can - in principle, lead us to engage more with good stuff, and minimize severely the bad stuff. 

Yet, the bad stuff cannot altogether be avoided; partly because it is everywhere (including in public spaces) and partly from our own inevitable weaknesses that will prevail at times, and probably often. 

One other thing I would mention as potentially helpful, is to get an idea of what the totalitarian Establishment are trying to do to us - what is their overall and long-term strategy for Mankind; and what is their current propaganda preparing us for? 

We get this, pretty much, from observing our own spontaneous responses, and the responses of people around us, to this kind of media manipulation. 

By asking how does this "story" or "information" make me feel - and how does it affect people around me? 

That is, probably, pretty-much what it was intended to do. 

Since the Litmus Test issues (large and smaller) are strategic, they include easily-detected unsubtle and direct attempted manipulations, as well as indirect and subtler "soft sell" aspects. 

These can be picked-up and self-monitored quite quickly, without need for sustained engagement - and the initial harms they will do us, can be dealt with - and made the basis for spiritual learning...

If we are ready and willing to repent our own inevitable and frequent sins - which as Christians we always ought to be!