UB 10/5: We need a break from lists

Most people like where they choose to call home. What about when they’re surfing the web and they come across one of those stories that lists the top 10 poorest or dirtiest U.S. cities and find their hometown included?
Just hearing those titles makes me burst with pain. How about you?
My hometown is Cleveland, Ohio. It has been ranked the poorest U.S. city by the U.S. Census more than once. I still love it. But I would be lying if I said it wasn’t disappointing to learn it’s on the list of poorest cities.
The funny thing is even though we might know our hometowns are poor or a little dirty, it just feels wrong to have someone else remind us of it or even worse – tell all the world.
When I see those listings, I often wonder how others feel when their hometowns are listed. I see so many of them, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. We need a break from the lists.
The most recent story/list I came across lists the happiest countries. Denmark was in first place. Finland was in second place with Colombia in third.
The World Happiness Report , commissioned by the United Nations, offers a snapshot of the state of happiness in today’s world, according to the online news article.
There is a Happy Planet Index report that measures how countries balance personal well-being, environmental impact and life expectancy. It was the source of the list.
I didn’t even know such reports existed but instantly wanted to see where the United States of America fell in the rankings. It wasn’t listed.
As someone who works to inform others, one would think I would be for the sharing of information. I am. In news, it’s about getting and telling the truth whether people like it or not.
When I read these lists, I wonder if they are really true. When I see one where Cleveland, Ohio is listed in a negative light, I instantly question its validity. When I see one where my hometown is reflected positively, I have no complaints but still question it.
Sometimes I feel like, “Who asked you?” But that’s just me.
Not all lists are negative. Some interesting lists I’ve seen include the most livable U.S. cities, the most expensive cities to live in and the cheapest places to live in the United States. The creators are not trying to be negative or positive when those lists are generated. They’re probably just aiming to inform. Frankly, if my city was the poorest, dirtiest or least desirable to live in, I’d rather not know. Again, that’s just me.
The bad part is these lists are intriguing. Readers, viewers and web surfers want to know where their hometowns or current cities fall. So they read, watch and listen. They don’t know what’s coming.
I’m often eager to see where Ohio falls but disappointed in the answer.
My disappointment comes from what that list can communicate to the world. To me and most people who like where they grew up, they’re proud of their hometown. While nothing should be able to take this feeling away, the wrong list can change your mood.
My advice to those who also like to see where their state falls in the lineup is simple. Read with caution. You might learn something, but you might also be a little ticked to see how others view your home.