MOM vs. RSS

I consider myself pseudo news viewer, I have GMA on in the morning, might catch a few minutes of the local news in the evening but for the most part I’m only going to pick-up the online version of a story when it really appeals to me from the MSN homepage.

My parents on the other hand, constantly have some news programming on. They compare CNN to Fox, television to XM news-radio and my mom is the worst – she compares all electronic to the paper. I suppose my aversion to the news has to do with the fact that they are so pro-news. Since I’m not in the house viewing with her, I’m subject to get a call from my mom with the latest breaking headline. The worst part is that there is no filter, it could range from the latest congressional debate to Paris Hilton being released from jail, back to jail, not wearing – never mind.

The most amusing of late was the counterfeit toothpaste scare, I got a call from my mom at 5:16 AM last Thursday, moments after the story broke – she wanted to know if I was still using Colgate, if I felt ill etc. I know she meant well, but at that time of the morning toothpaste safety is not on my immediate radar.

Needless to say my mother’s (self-elected) duties, as our family’s personal news wire has helped me steer clear of signing up for RSS Feeds that would typically be part of her jurisdiction. Over the years I’ve discovered that if you try to correct her she gets mad, if you tell her that you’ve already heard of the issue she get’s upset. Personally, the call is much easier to stomach if you just act surprised, take the update and tell her that you appreciate the call. Thankfully, I know she’s not going to read this because blogs are not legitimate news by her standards…

You, my dear reader, can take a few moments to check some of the top rated RSS Feeds per Radio Community Server and ComputerWorld – and no, my mom’s cell-feed is not on the list.