Nick Hornby highlights the complexity of news stories that often leave us bewildered, particularly those on the front pages of newspapers. He notes that to fully grasp issues like the Euro crisis, one must trace their roots back through time, possibly as far back as 1945, making it challenging for the average reader to follow along with current events. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion about more intricate stories that evolve over years.

In contrast, Hornby points out that certain events, such as natural disasters or criminal cases like missing persons, capture our attention more easily. These stories tend to be straightforward and relatable, allowing the audience to grasp their significance right away. This difference in understanding reveals how the nature of a story influences our engagement with the news, making simpler narratives more compelling than complex geopolitical issues.