When I graduated from the IT-media program at Hulebäcksgymnasiet in Härryda, just outside Gothenburg, I promised myself never to deal with the media. I moved to southern Sweden, to my Persian mother's great dismay—all Iranian mothers want their children to become doctors, engineers or lawyers—and became a poet instead.

The reason I hated the media and why I still hate the media, and the reason I refuse to write the word with a capital m, is that in 99% of the cases they focus on the negative things in the world. Everything is problematized to the utmost, so everything’s as macabre, cynical and horrible as possible for people to listen, read or watch. It definitely brings out our worst sides. When someone through the headlines tell us that the world is horrible, we go around believing that the world is horrible and that we’ll be robbed, raped or infected with the plague (or the flu!) if we set foot out of our homes.

All good examples, all good stories and people have no place in the media. Positivity is rarely conveyed. It has no news value. Therefore, I hate the media. And for the same reason I ended up becoming a journalist. To be in the game and to highlight those who have something positive say. Using the same channels and forums, but spreading something else.

1. Consider a situation where you have done something good or when someone has done something nice for you.

2. Write it down on a note.

3. Spread it by blogging about it, writing a letter to the editor about it or otherwise getting it out to other people.

Bonus1 - Blog where people share what gives them hope. http://www.givesmehope.com/

Bonus2 - A magazine with good news. http://www.godanyheter.se/

Text: Navid Modiri