Elections Make NYT Readers Sick, Anxious, Just Like Everything Else

Elspeth Reeve Nov 2, 2010

To get a sense of just how unsettled Americans are this election day, check the New York Times ' "word train," in which readers can enter the single word that best describes their state of mind. Words like "depressed," "anxious," "worried," "nauseous" dominate the feature, seemingly showing that most of today's politicians leave voters reaching for the mood-elevating drugs. But it turns out, that's how New York Times readers just about all the time.

In 2008, with both parties having historic candidates on their tickets, election night made voters "anxious," "overwhelmed," "scared," "worried." A few months later, President Obama's inauguration left readers feeling "horrified," "disgusted," and "numb." And last year, the economy made them "confused," "panicked," "disinterested," "hopeless," "sickened." Poor Times readers. Pretty much everything makes them want to barf.

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Elspeth Reeve

Sources

Word Train, The New York Times

Topics: Elections

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