*The term can be traced back to columnist George Will, who coined it to describe the corporate media's fondness for driving panic to drive ratings. Since it's always the end of the world according to somebody these days, we're all fed up and worn out. I acknowledge the irony of my choice given that I'm doing a fair amount of whistle-blowing and chalkboard scratching myself, so tongue is firmly in cheek.
I myself picked up the phrase from this song from this record by the band Snog. I owe immeasurable debt to David Thrussell in his various forms for decades of soul-soothing and mind-expanding music that have gotten me out of many a time in the Great Dismal Swamp.