Why I Heart My Media

We live in a society where Media covers mostly every action that we do. It’s simply found everywhere, in your phone, in your laptop, TV, Newspaper, Camera, Surveillance, and many more options. The simple question raised would be: Why? Why do we love Media?

Personally, I find Media to be quite comfortable; I spend a lot of time with it, I post regularly on Instagram, connect with friends on Snapchat and NEVER miss the latest episode of my favorite show on Netflix. I am used to Media being pervasive and a big part of my life that I now grow with Media. I use Media to develop my skills, I get motivated by multiple websites, social media platforms, movies, or music and it inspires my creative space. I am mentally and inspirationally aligned because of it. Maybe not all the time, because it can become a bit invasive or uncontrolled, but at the end of the day, my life would never be where it is today without the presence of my Media. I LOVE MEDIA!

Student number (13210106)

My life revolves around all sorts of media, for instance I wake up in the morning thanks to my digital alarm and fall asleep watching films, most evenings. Media has the power to flip one’s day from being dull and mundane to passionate and intriguing, as one can delve into any subject or matter they please by reading a published report, article or watch documentaries and listen to audiobooks in order to become an expert on a topic of their choice, at any given moment. This is why our generation is considered the most intelligent generation to have walked the earth; we have all the knowledge and information concerning every subject in the world in our back pockets. Along with the intelligence such small and practical objects, such as an iPhone, can provide us with, they supply us with comic relief, along with entertainment.

I know that when I want to ease myself into sleep, I can pick up a book and a few written words on a few flimsy pages can suck me into an entirely different world and drag me into a state of peace and tranquility. A well produced film can do the same, and have you questioning certain topics you had never once considered such as; the ins and outs of the diamond industry in Africa or how to rob a bank at the ripe age of 75. All of these separate pieces of media can enhance our intelligence and propel us towards greatness by exposing us to an unimaginable amount of literature, art, culture science and comfort.

It is the opportunities provided to us by such a vast array of media that makes me appreciate it so much, anyone with a stable internet connection and suitable device can indulge themselves in their passions and interests, regardless of their social standing or geographical location.

Of course media has its positive and negative sides, but I still love it. I mean, how could you not love it? It’s everywhere. The parts I love the most about my media are those that stood out to me so much, that I could never forget them. So I’m going to let these photos speak for themselves.

Alexandra Mierlea

Student number: 13934562

My media is my passion; a playground for my imagination. A gadget, platform, a way to express myself. At least that’s how I’ve decided to use it, or it using me, the lines sometimes get blurred. But does it matter? According to Elon, anyone with a phone is a cyborg. I bet in the future when we’ll be made out of silicone limbs with wire veins and consciousness uploaded to a quantum computer chip, we’ll be marveling at these little bodies of flesh and gadgets we used to walk around with. Like ”Cellphones? Remember when that was a thing? Weird.” Anyway, I’m excited to see how these things are going to unfold.. As of now I like to think my goal is to evolve, always experience new, create and learn. Almost like a spaceship flying through the universe that never stops. And what I’ve come to realize is that media is a great tool for that.

Student ID: 13946331

The first thing that comes to mind is convenience. You can accomplish everything with a single click. The media is incredible. It may bring individuals together even when they are far apart, such as sending messages across the globe in seconds and making video calls whenever you choose.  Like me and other international students, media is an indispensable thing for me to stay in touch with my family and loved ones. The media is an essential part of our daily lives. On the other hand, what I dislike about media is that we are rapidly overusing it and losing touch with what is natural and familiar to us. Many individuals have created an image, a virtual existence to suit their needs, and it has become a requirement to live virtual. Like today’s media, has an impact on individuals in particular and on life in general. But we can’t dispute that media is extremely useful and handy in everyday life. But don’t overdo it and forget about everything else; utilize media intelligently and as a tool to make our life simpler.

Student ID: 13653830

The definition of love is perhaps the most controversial non-political topic of our whole existence. As far as I can tell everyone sees it different. Our society, our media portraits love in the most miscellaneous ways. Movies such as Fifty Shades of Grey or 365 Days portrait love more as a dependence on the other person, involving a lot of heartbreak, devastation and drama. Other media such as YouTube vloggers or Rom-Coms mostly show harmonic or even funny relationships between the protagonists. But also, more abstract forms of love such as objectophilia, find space in society and are portrait in educational documentaries.

But how do you explain, jet define, love for media? 

My love for media starts (like most great love stories) in the past. Remembering my mom, my whole family consuming media like tic tacs. Growing up in a non-academic household where the TV is always on might sound like a red flag to many. But it’s where most of my knowledge comes from. Since I can remember, my parents sat me in front of the news and made me remember all the names of all kinds of politicians all over the world. But not only politics and history can be taught by media. Through cooking shows – no joke – I learned how to cook.

 All of this might sound weird, irrelevant but most important media expanded my very own horizon. The internet showed me how big the world is, that there is no “normal”, no “abstract”. We live in a society that is bigger than what we see, what we imagine. If it wasn’t for media, I wouldn’t attend this University but the one in my hometown that I have left behind me. For the sake of media. 

And that’s how I would define love. Something that expands your horizon, makes you do new and exiting things while giving you a feeling of home and comfort. Always by your side but never narrowing.  

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Love is more complex than what it may seem, it can’t be encapsulated with a single emotion, however, it is rather a mix of emotions both good and bad. This is the epitome of what my relationship is like with the media. Not only have I been surrounded with media all my life, but I have become a user, contributor, and creator of media as well. 

Media has brought numerous positive aspects to my life, where I was able to build relationships and rekindle old ones. Additionally, it has given me so many opportunities to learn, share, and connect with others around the globe. 

However, as with love, one must take the good with the bad. With media all around us, I often find myself forgetting how reliant we have become to media and our devices. There are several negative sides to media that are often left unseen, and the most prominent issue of media personally is how obsessive social media has become for me. These large social platforms, in particular Instagram, market themselves as an inclusive and safe environment to build an online community, however, this is far from the truth for me. With unattainable beauty standards society has set for women and this core focus on aesthetics and physical image it can take a toll on one’s mental health. 

Despite these negative effects of social media, I still find myself scrolling through Instagram, Snapchat, etc. hours at a time; because although it might bring me sadness, jealousy, or anger, media is something I still love and it’s become so integrated into my daily life it’s impossible to disconnect.

Student ID: 14020750

Everything I post on social media is carefully thought out to make me look artistic, mysterious and beautiful. In fact, I wanted to post my funny bangs, a cat I met, a selfie with pimples, a stupid chatting transcript with my friend. But once I felt like they were going to break my character setting, I stopped.

When I say, ‘Get to know more about me!’, I am actually quickly hiding my true self. Just like, when I wrote the last sentence, I checked my grammar twice.

The powerful media shell wraps around me, but at the same time reflects a quiet and fragile me.

Tired of, but still Addicted to Media

To be Frank, I’ve got a very ambiguous attitude towards media.

I must admit that I am sometimes so absorbed in the unreal Internet media world that only to realize I haven’t do anything for a couple of hours but watching all the meaningless video, at least they bring nothing to me, not even happiness because I always feel a sense of loss and guilty for wasting my time, on social medias. I have been always trying to change this situation since I realized it, and now I am much better at controlling myself. However, I still find myself addicted to social medias from time to time, especially when I am running out of my time for a deadline. Even when I know there is a deadline due a few hours later, I still find it hard to stop and quit from the media world. It’s just so toxic, and I’m just tired of been so addicted to it.

I cannot deny that I also love media. I’m an unknown writer and still passionate about writing. Online media gives me an opportunity to get my stories read, a chance to be known. Social medias offer a brilliant opportunity for every “nobody” to become “somebody”.

I’m still learning and practicing to balance myself over the use of social media, also to become somebody via media.

Hope one day, my stories will be told.

student number: 13772716

name: XIAO ZHOU.