Sunday, February 12, 2017

How the media has shaped my perception on the world

Who do I think I am? …Thats a good question. 
I’m not sure. I feel like I’m just starting to understand who I am, but I’m still learning. Media in general has played a major role in my development as a person and passions. I own almost every form of social media. I feel like I’ve experienced the best of both worlds- a life without media, and a life utterly consumed by it. Despite being left out in the earlier years of my life, I understand the wisdom of my upbringing and I’m very thankful for it. Often times, I find myself contemplating this rise of media in our culture and whether it could be doing more damage to us than it helping us. 

The pros of media: The way I see it, it can be an amazing way of expressing ourselves and giving every individual a platform to display their opinions, voices, passions, talents, individuality, and creativity and granting them equal access to other forms of expression across the globe. It’s an amazing way of connecting people with common interests as well as creating interactions between those of opposing ideologies and views. It’s a meeting point in a world that feels so spread out; A way of unifying a world that feels so entangled and consumed by differences. Another great thing that I’ve noticed from the rise of social media, is a rise of awareness of global issues. For example, the genocide by the Assad regime in rebel held Aleppo is one example of how awareness was spread through the media. It can be a great platform for activism and encouraging movements. One of the most beautiful and captivating parts of media, I find, is the ability to share experiences with others. Whether it’s through writing, videos, or a detailed and meaningful picture, it can take people to places they probably would never be able to experience for themselves during their lifetime. I’m super passionate about photography. I love writing, all kinds of art, but most of all, photography. I'm in love with the idea of capturing moments through something as simple as the stroke of a brush or pen, or the click of a camera. I will proudly admit that I have spent hours scrolling through Murad Osman’s instagram. I’m obsessed with the captivating aspects of his photography. If you haven’t already checked it out, https://www.instagram.com/muradosmann/  You’re welcome.


The cons of media: One of the things that bothers me about the rise of media is this disappearance of intimate relationships and interactions. People don’t bother to memorize names or numbers anymore, everything is stored away for us. Take a walk through the city, or board a train/bus and you will see countless amounts of people with their heads down engulfed in whatever’s on their screen. People are missing the beautiful parts of life. There’s a dismissal of reality and so much time being wasted in a virtual intangible world. Social media has successfully connected us to people around the world, but has also successfully disconnected us from the ones closest to us. 


The rise of awareness of social issues has led to a rise of social media activism, but I feel like people aren’t grasping the idea that a hashtag doesn’t change things the way going out and protesting does. Hashtags on twitter don’t dismantle corruptive systems. Organizing and action does. Widespread pornography, lowered productivity levels, the displaying of unattainable beauty standards, etc. The list goes on. 


I have a love hate relationship with the media. For me, it’s all about maintaining balance. I like to take long term breaks from social media here and there just to gain some perspective and to make sure that I have this sense of control. I’ve learned to use it as a tool to progress and reach my goals, rather than letting it consume and control me. I love being lost in life’s moments and going out into the world and making a difference. Media can definitely be used to our advantage, but it can also be dangerous without proper management. 

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