If it's far away, it's news, but if it's close at home, it's sociology.

In the quote by James Reston, "If it's far away, it's news, but if it's close at home, it's sociology," he highlights the distinction between how events are perceived and reported depending on their proximity to us. Reston suggests that when something happens far away, such as in another country or a distant location, it is often seen as important news worthy of attention and analysis. However, when similar events occur close to home, they are more likely to be viewed through the lens of sociology, focusing on societal issues, behaviors, and the complexities of local culture, rather than as urgent or groundbreaking news.

This quote reflects Reston’s commentary on how media and society prioritize certain stories based on their relevance to the immediate audience. News is typically driven by the significance or novelty of an event, often creating a sense of urgency and importance when it’s geographically or culturally distant. However, issues that happen within one’s own community or country might be seen as more familiar or commonplace and therefore analyzed more deeply from a sociological perspective, which seeks to understand the broader patterns of human behavior and social systems.

The use of the term "sociology" suggests that local or personal events are viewed in the context of social structures and dynamics, where the focus is less about immediate shock value and more about understanding how they fit into the larger societal framework. Reston’s quote points to the tendency of media to sensationalize distant events, while sometimes overlooking or downplaying the importance of issues that hit closer to home.

Ultimately, Reston’s quote emphasizes the biases in how we interpret and prioritize information. It raises awareness about the different ways local and global events are perceived, often driven by distance, cultural relevance, and media framing. It also suggests that sociology can offer a deeper, more thoughtful understanding of local issues, as opposed to the often superficial treatment that global news might receive.