Why I Heart My Media

Last year, I’d go to bed thinking “Hey, 6 hours on the phone! Not bad at all”. I know that sounds absolutely horrific, but that was my life navigating my very-online presence in a pandemic. Soon, there was a MacOS update that started tracking my screen time, just like my phone. Oh God. I spent every waking moment on a screen. With 6 hours on my phone and 11 on my laptop, the math was not looking pretty.

I suddenly started obsessing over the numbers. I used to cry myself to sleep if it was over 4 hours on my phone. It ruined my day to know that I was a “zombie”. I abandoned my online presence. I deactivated my Twitter account with a thousand followers – abandoned the friends I found on there, deleted two of my three Instagram accounts, I deleted TikTok – privating all my videos. It doesn’t sound like much right now but it was the biggest change I could imagine at the time. I even created new accounts to “start over” where I limit myself, but it never worked.

I see a lot of posts here talking about using media “liberally” and that there are two sides to it. Realising that and creating a boundary was the hardest thing for me while constantly forced to participate in media, at the time. For god’s sake, I was going to school on my laptop! It was neither good having an 18 hour screen time, nor ruining myself with the issue of “zombieness”. I still, to this day, navigate my presence. So I can’t confidently write about ‘why I love my media’ but I can tell you that it keeps me connected to myself.

YouTube and Instagram are the greatest forms of social media for me; they keep me connected to sub-cultures that I am, or aim to be, a part of. From Miuccia Prada to a first year film student at UCLA, i can keep my inspirations for creative ideas pouring in. I can keep up with people that inspire me with their passions, or get a giggle out of me. It’s currently not possible to hit bullseye with my “balance”, it may never be possible – but it turns into game of staying rather moving. Media, in my opinion, is not a maze you get lost in and try to attain nirvana when you find your way. It’s just a place that you sit and enjoy, doing what you want and love. 

Sure, there are vile things on media, ranging from raging fetish freaks to unhinged violating opinions about your favourite movie. You just have to learn to press that little button on the side of you device, realising that it is truly not that serious. As Tyler, The Creator once said “[…] How The Fuck Is Cyber Bullying Real Hahahaha Just Walk Away From The Screen Like Close Your Eyes Haha”

Sincerely,

A face in the crowd – 13701908

Media, specifically film, has always been a large part of my life. Growing up in Hollywood with a family in the film industry, I’ve always had some sort of insight into what goes on behind the scenes and what it takes for someone to actually create something. I moved to Europe when I was young and because of that I lost touch with my media centric side. Studying film in highschool allowed me to reconnect with media, specifically its production. After many years of either creating my own films or working on other’s, I’ve created friendships in the industry which I hope will last a lifetime. I have also found that through film I am able to express who I am in ways in which I don’t believe possible through other mediums. Overall, I find my ability to create media has allowed me to figure out what I’m meant to do in the world.

Baxter Tichell

Student ID: 13001264

I love my media because some days it gives me so much energy.
I hate my media because some days it takes all the energy of me.

I love my media because some days it connects me to my family and friends, even though they are far away.
I hate my media because some days it leaves me feeling disconnected to everyone.

I love my media because some days it helps me to find the right way.
I hate my media because some days it leaves me confused which way is the right one.

For me media is inspirational and overwhelming, energizing and draining, joy and pain – all at the same time.

But like in almost every love-hate relationship, you keep sticking to it, because you know that you could never live without.

Student number: 13966707

I love media because they give me the opportunity to follow my two favourite boxers throughout their boxing tournament back home. (13658352)

ID: 13432745

This definitely sounds like a cliché answer but the first thing that came to my mind when I was asked about why I heart my media is: it helps me connect with people. On the one hand, the media and social media that surrounds me enables me to stay in touch with family abroad or friends I met at different periods of my life. On the other hand, it also gives me the opportunity to meet new people whose path, I believe, I would not have crossed if it wasn’t for that Twitter app on my phone. In fact, during the first lockdown, talking to people online, whether they were my besties, long-distance friends or even complete strangers, became a massive part of my day. When all felt uncertain, and at times even boring, we could all come together and bond over our shared passions: music, films, books…. We texted, called, exchanged advice, shared fan-based edits of our favorite people, played online games, freaked out over our favorite artist(s) releasing new projects, basically stayed connected all day long as if we had known each other for years. Since that moment some of those have evolved in truly valuable friendships, completely overlooking the idea that if it wasn’t for a specific post, like or comment, we would never even have met. I guess this is an open letter to all the amazing people I have met on the Internet, whether we are still in touch or not does not actually matter, and they are the reason why I heart my media! (PS: sorry mom but turns out not everyone on the internet is actually a psychopathic serial killer)

Student ID: 13991957

When I entered middle school, I was the only one that didn’t have a phone. Which was kind of logical, because I was still an eleven years old little girl. I was still a child, and I didn’t need one. I remember being angry against my parents because I couldn’t play games, I couldn’t be on social media, I couldn’t watch Youtube in secret in my room, I couldn’t Skype with my friends. But mainly, I wasn’t like my classmates. I was the one that didn’t know about what was going on after school, the couples, the arguments, the make-ups… My world was only physical when other’s was becoming digital. 

And I hate my media for that. Because they have become a social element that determines whether or not one will be part of a community. I hate the fact that a person that who does not have Instagram is not only left out but also cut off from the world. I hate the fact that the main social interactions are on social networks. And that the principal reason we use our media is to stick with others to fit in and not be seen as ‘different’. I hate the fact that  I always need to occupy my mind. I can’t let it think or even be bored as I did as a child. I hate the fact that I unlock my phone automatically without even realizing it which makes me feel like a robot. I hate the fact that I can’t let go of my media. 

However, I love my media. Because I can communicate with my brother who has been living in Australia for 2 years and with my sister in Prague. I love my media because I can keep the same strong relationship I had with my high school friends. With media, I can rarely feel homesick, I can talk and see my parents as much as I want. I love my media because it educated me on such different levels. I love my media because I can feel connected to the world. There is a wealth of knowledge and information available. There are parts of my personality and beliefs that have come to light through the media. I love my media because it makes my life easier. 

I love my media because I built myself through them. 

13904507

Like all great love stories ours stretches over decades. We met back when I was a child. He was fascinating to me, introducing me to topics I’d never known and influencing most of my interests. The older I grew, the closer we got and the more time we spent together. During my teenage years a day wouldn’t go by, where I did not see him. I started feeling safe with him, sharing things I never thought I would with anyone. He is always there for me when I need him and since he is a part of my life I never had to feel alone again. 

Like all great love stories ours is epic. A whole new world was opened up to me because of him. I got to see places I’ve never been to and he is my source of infinite information. He opens me up to new opportunities and introduces me to new people every single day. He provides endless inspiration and always challenges me to be better. I haven’t felt real boredom since he has been in my life.

 Like all great love stories ours is passionate. We´re not perfect, we have our ups and downs.There are days I truly hate him. Where I feel like I can’t be in the same room with him, because he won’t let me breathe. Days he makes me feel like shit and points out my biggest insecurities. Sometimes I feel like he is depriving me of experiences I could be having if it wasn’t for him. There are days that I feel burned out and need a break from this all consuming relationship. He can be controlling, toxic even. But I would never actually break up with him. He has become a part of me and I can’t imagine my life without him.

He is the one I see first in the morning and last before I go to bed. After a long day of not being with him there is nothing better than having him wrap his arms around me and letting me know about all the things I’ve missed in the time we weren’t together. I can’t remember a time where he wasn’t there and I can’t imagine a future he is not a part of.

Oh, I forgot to introduce him: His name is media.

Lykke Rautenberg, 13661132

My relationship with media has been complicated for quite some time. On one hand I love it- it gives me any information I want and trust me I’m a very curious person. It gave me access to sites like YouTube where I find myself watching not only comedy but also scientific videos at 3 am. I love it because thanks to media I can talk to my best friends that are living in different countries and still have contact with them. It gave me Spotify, where I listen to my favorite band while making breakfast, showering, learning and doing basically everything. But honestly sometimes media is making me feel bad about myself. I had to delete my instagram, because I always felt bad after seeing my friends having fun and going out while I was sitting by myself in darkness.  I often feel the pressure that comes from media- that I always have to do something, that if I’m just sitting there I’m a lazy piece of shit, that I have to look a certain way, dress a certain way because if I don’t conform to that standard, I’m not worth anyone’s time. That is why I always try to choose media that bring me comfort.

A.G

This picture is the reason why I keep going. It fills me with joy, confusion and it leaves me asking: what the hell even is this? But thats the thing about media. It doesnt always have to be serious, sometimes it can be just weird. And thats good. Probably noone would be happy if their life would revolve around serious topics all the time. We need homour. And this is where media comes in. You can can and will find everything you are looking for. Our world wouldnt be the same without media, it wouldnt be the same without Capybara Tanks rolling through the desert.

student number 14008092