What We Read Says Something About Us - Or Not

Following a morning of meetings, attending to a few other business-related matters, returning calls, replying to e-mails and responding to messages, I turned my attention to what I will write about today.

I attended the launch of a photographic exhibition last night. The photograph art was both excellent and unique and it is always great to meet new people and catch up with several I have not seen for many years.

As a former Leader in the world of financial advice, much of my conversation this morning included the exchange of opinions about the revelations coming from the Royal Commission. The reality was, we were all in furious agreement about the issues and the necessary actions that need to follow.

President Trump has ranted and raved during a phone interview with the hosts of his favourite TV program however there is nothing particularly unusual about that.

Bill Cosby has become the first “real” casualty of the #metoo movement having been found guilty of drugging and raping a female colleague. Let’s hope we never lose our rage about such behaviour. My fear is we will become desensitised as more cases are prosecuted in the Courts.

History has been made on the Korean Peninsula as the President of the North crossed over to the South for discussions with the Southern President about a peaceful future. While this is being viewed with cautious optimism, the potential for peace is on the horizon, even if that horizon is a still a little fuzzy.

While these are a few of things at the front of my mind right now, I wondered what was being read by the broader community and went to news.com to investigate the most popular stories from their stable of newspapers.

Across all papers, the most common listings in the 5 most read articles concerned the death of a Swedish Disk Jockey.

The sentencing of Bill Cosby also featured in the majority of papers however the headline emphasis was on his outburst in the court after the verdict was passed.

Our next most read articles addressed the possible new Cricket commentators, Royal Family triviality, some former reality TV “stars” and a poor outcome of breast surgery.

I am not sure what this says about our society. My initial reaction was one of disappointment.

Surely, we are more concerned about the behaviour of our Banks or peace on our doorstep on the Korean Peninsula than we are about the name of a new born Royal or which “hazbeen” will talk about cricket next summer on our televisions.

Alternatively, is our focus on the goings on of reality TV representative of an irreverent attitude and a more balanced and peaceful way of life?

I will ponder both over the weekend.