One of the couples does fit your example of using the internet.
The other couple and my wife are luddites and use the internet at business and to order something at home.
I am like you when you described yourself in your last paragraph:
"I know that I have reached an age where I simply cannot function while being furious/worried/anxious/afraid. My antidote is to log on to FR and use the rest of the Internet research opportunities to gauge just what is a real threat and how much of a threat it really is."
When we travel, and I can't get to the internet and can only hear what or read what the MSM wants us to believe, it is very easy to get discouraged. I learned about 4 years ago, to put those emotions and concerns in check until I can get home to see what my Freepers have to say about any pseudo issue the MSM brings up. My wife will say on some situations while vacation, lets wait until you get home to research this on FR before you and I get upset.
Exactly!
I am trying to teach this approach to my husband, who has really taken to it. We were on vacation in November and even though the hotel had FNC, we weren't watching it very much. When something worrisome came on during the brief time we would be watching (and with a 4 hour time lag from our home added in to make it worse when the subject was weather at home), we would just go down to the lobby, log in on the Internet and check it out. Even at .50/minute, we found we could find the facts within 5 minutes or less.
Best vacation we've had in a long, long time, too!
You have a very wise wife, GD.
;^)