The case for more negativity: Why aspirational media is making us miserable

February 21, 2026 — 12:53pm

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Newspapers and magazines are very keen on the headline “How I lost 10 kilos - and kept it off”. They are less keen on the headline “I keep getting fatter and fatter – and there’s nothing I can do about it”. Yet that’s the reality for me, and I imagine for a lot of others. Why not be honest about it?

Some say the media should try to be more positive. I’m not so sure. I’d like to see a bit more negativity, just to make me feel better.

What about a headline: “I haven’t had eight hours sleep since I was 18”.

Or: “Every time I cook dinner, I burn the chops”.

Or: “I’ve suddenly lost the ability to reverse-park and can’t work out why.”

I’d read all those articles, with a grunt of satisfaction. “Ah good, at least I’m not the only one.” Aspirational stories are all very well, but they do make you feel like you are the only one going backwards.

Of course, social media has made it worse. No one wants to advertise their own failure, only their successes. People brag when they lose weight, but go silent when they put it back on. Someone might........

© Brisbane Times