Third, actually, since Ashton alluded to it. But I'll put it in more concrete terms:
Stop watching the news.
No, really. Just don't turn it on. Will you feel guilty for not keeping abreast of current events? Trust me, they'll happen whether you know about them or not. Remember the scene in Apollo 13 where they're about to make re-entry and someone tells the mission commander that there's a typhoon entering the splashdown area? What's his response?
"Can they do anything about it?" "No." "Then don't tell them."
If you really can't do anything about it, like the Middle East, why are you so concerned with keeping abreast of it? I've stopped reading those threads here because I just don't have the time and energy to care about everything. I only keep up with the politics threads that I think are likely to affect me personally.
If Ben Tilly's around some time, ask him about living without a TV. I'll bet he doesn't feel like he's out of touch.