Why I Heart My Media

Skyping with my father a few days ago, we got to discussing how incredibly easy communication through all media platforms is nowadays. In a matter of seconds I can call or FaceTime my family and friends, even though we are in different countries. It’s crazy to think that just around ten years ago when my father was in Afghanistan, the only way of contacting him was through emails (this was also due to the fact that it was hard to make contact in any other way there at the time), and now that I’m the one that’s left home, he can call and see me whenever he wants. This ease of communication is the main reason I love media, as it constantly allows for increasing international relationships, because almost everyone is able to connect to each other. I think that we are all very lucky to be able to live in a time where this type of communication is available and constantly developing.

Karoliina Karus

I have always been living in an international environment. My friends come from all over the world and I myself am 8000 kilometers away from home. It brings me numerous interesting experiences and precious knowledge that I would never be able to get If I only stay in my comfort zone. However, it also means that most of the time, my loved ones are in another country, or even another continent. That’s why media is the only way to communicate and  narrow our distance. Whenever I need to talk to someone, I can easily call my friends and family via Skype or text them via Facebook Messenger. In that way, I feel like they are stand with me and I am still a part of their lives. I cannot imagine my life without media, because for me it is not only an effective communication tool, but also a psychological crutch.

My Nguyen

I basically grew up in front of a screen, a big ol’ heavy television with an LG logo. I adored that tv, it formed my favorite pastime before playing outside. It familiarized me with the world of film and entertainment. Ignited my interest in art and culture. But most importantly it helped me define my moral compass by giving me the opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of people and values within the comfort of my home. I attribute my empathy and creativity to it. And for that I will always feel gratitude, I will never forgetti the grey box from my memories.

 

Patrick Antwi

The answer to the question “Why I Heart My Media” is, for me, simple.

Media lets me be with the one I want to be with.

I have been in a relationship with this person for the past 5 ½ years now and almost 3 of them have been in a form of long distance. Thanks to media (texts, phone calls, facebook, skype etc.) we never have to be a part in any other way than physically. Thanks to media we can plan our future together, talk about where we want to live, engagement, wedding but also regular things like a simple question “what are you up to?”

I am not saying it is easy but media helps. We both know that if it weren’t for media we probably wouldn’t make it but this makes us stronger together.

So this is why I heart my media.

Johanna Stenbacka

There are so many reasons for me to love media. Media has formed my life, my understanding of life. In a way it has formed me, and my understanding of myself. I has taught me many things. Being open minded, being curious, being ashamed, being proud and being myself. It has given me images of the world, its cultures and its people. Media has made me think. What is real? What is fake? What is normal? And media has given me answers to my questions. It has connected me to my friends that live 1 km away from me but it has connected me to my aunt on the other side of the world as well. Media has made me laugh and made me cry. And media will keep doing so untill I die.

Media has made me the person I am today, it has enriched me greatly and for that I love media.

I remember being 14 and being unable to rip my face away from my screen. If it was my phone where I could remain in constant contact with everyone I would see everyday at school or if it was my computer where I would watch an insane amount of series (seriously ask me about any show I have probably watched it) I was incapable of turning away. When I look back at that time, I don’t feel proud that I basically neglected personal relationships, face to face contact, and prioritized talking to everyone through the social media I would use. I don’t feel proud that I would more easily be able to speak my mind through text then I was able to say it in person. After fighting for years with my parents and a destructive relationship that didn’t end as 16-year-old me had hoped, I came to realize: I was an addict. Plain and clear. My phone, texting, social media, it had become like a drug to me and the moment I realized it, I changed the way I acted.

I started prioritizing actual relationships, face to face interactions instead of online communications through social media. I decided to show myself online the way I was, not the way I wish I were. Now social media doesn’t feel like a burden to me, it doesn’t feel like a drug that’s taking over the way I live and the things I do and they way I show myself. Social media has become something that allows me to keep in contact with those I don’t see often, it’s allowed me to create new relationships with those I never really bothered to get to know but later realized I should’ve. I have found a way to redeem myself through social media by having it in my life but not letting it BE my life. And now I am grateful for it. Of course, I have pictured numerous times the way it would’ve been to live in the 1920s and be one of those flapper girls like in the “Great Gatsby”, what it would be like to live a world where to keep in contact with someone you would have to call someone, send a postcard and not receive direct responses. But knowing the way things are now, having experienced the comfort of having everything and anything you need at your fingertips, it would be literally impossible to go back to a world where things weren’t as easy. Do I want food? I order it online and have it delivered within 10 min. Do I want new clothes? I can order anything I could possible dream of online. Do I want to check the weather? No need to wait for the weather girl to announce it on tv, I can find out within not even a minute what the weather will be like for the coming week.

Life has changed. We certainly aren’t living in the 1920s anymore. And although it has become unbelievably easier it still isn’t uncomplicated. I think I can speak for everyone, or at least all the members of my generation Y, that we are all addicts and it is ok. We know how to deal with it and we are learning not to let it take over our lives. This addictive behavior can only improve through the years and I can’t wait to see that develop.

– Sharon Canals

 

The main reason why I love my media is because when times get tough, my best friends from abroad are just one Whatsapp message, or one Facetime call away. Two weeks ago I facetimed my friend when she was moving into her new room in Toronto, and I facetimed another friend when she was feeling sad because of boy troubles. Media allows me to feel close to people I love even though they may be thousands of miles away. Media allows us to never loose contact and always feel connected, and that’s why I love my media. – Irem Ergul

 

Ze zijn er als je wakker wordt

Ze zijn er als je slaapt

Ze zijn er als je vrolijk bent

En als het minder gaat

 

Ze weten als geen ander

Hoe jij je leven leidt

Wie je bent en wat je doet

En hoe naar huis toe rijdt

 

Ze helpen je connecten

Nieuwe vrienden, nieuwe baan

Relaties voor het leven

Op eigen benen staan

 

Ze gaan verveling tegen

Ze helpen tijd verdoen

Mijn media, dank jullie wel

Voor wat jullie zijn en voor me doen

 

 

Door Rosan van Dalfsen

Last week a friend died. That is sad. But with (social) media, connections are made so fast. Friends over the whole world were told instantly. Best friends and family off course in person, but still with media, mostly by phones.
This week we shared our memories of our friend online, we connected on whatsapp and of course we said goodbye in reallife. By our media we could reach everyone on time, share our memories and felt connected. That’s why I heart my media.