Thinking and Writing About Digital Media
In reference to creating media, I tend to primarily create poetry. I have recently begun to delve into lyrical essays, as well as performing at poetry slams. Words are an important source of truth and goodness, and I want to be a part of creating more of that in the world. I also absolutely love making or filming funny videos with my younger sisters that have a vibe similar to TikTok videos. These creations make me feel like more of who I am, and they allow me to showcase sides of myself that people normally don't get to see or experience. After some reflection, I have realized that I create the media I do because it brings me joy, and it creates human connection.
In reference to consumption, media is like chocolate. I almost never say no to it, although I don't consider it an addiction, merely something that I enjoy. Unless I have too much of it, that is. At this moment in my life, my media use is primarily textbooks and school related sources, so my media consumptions habits are all about information, resources, and effectiveness. I scroll through Instagram when I'm feeling bored or lazy, but it doesn't often give me any source of joy; rather, it acts as a distraction from my thoughts and feelings, which has both negative and positive benefits. During the summer when school is not my main priority, my media usage is still heavily skewed towards books, but the subject matter shifts from informational to entertainment.
My media habits tend to revolve around my priorities, but I do allow myself the occasional Bachelor episode or Lord of the Rings marathon, if time allows. I associate the word "media" with many negative connotations. I don't often think of TedTalks, literature, or children's books as media; I primarily think of social media and the warnings against it.
When it comes to personal guidelines, I try to align my media with what I hope my life is like. I unfollow people who I don't know or wouldn't speak to in person, I delete apps that are bothersome and only taking up space, and while I love to try new things, if I don't like the media, I stop consuming it. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I also work to make sure that what I consume promotes goodness. Not everything I consume, watch, or read is church centered, but I hope that it all will make me more of who I hope to become.
I think my media habits could be useful in teachers/students in secondary settings because they seem to be healthy, although I'm willing to admit I am biased and I could be better at how I spend my time, especially my time online. I think it goes back to what I mentioned earlier about human connection. Media can be used for any kind of purpose or intent, but I believe its ultimate and true purpose is to bring us closer together as human beings. Media acts as a channel by which we come to know others, and by which we come to know ourselves.
In reference to consumption, media is like chocolate. I almost never say no to it, although I don't consider it an addiction, merely something that I enjoy. Unless I have too much of it, that is. At this moment in my life, my media use is primarily textbooks and school related sources, so my media consumptions habits are all about information, resources, and effectiveness. I scroll through Instagram when I'm feeling bored or lazy, but it doesn't often give me any source of joy; rather, it acts as a distraction from my thoughts and feelings, which has both negative and positive benefits. During the summer when school is not my main priority, my media usage is still heavily skewed towards books, but the subject matter shifts from informational to entertainment.
My media habits tend to revolve around my priorities, but I do allow myself the occasional Bachelor episode or Lord of the Rings marathon, if time allows. I associate the word "media" with many negative connotations. I don't often think of TedTalks, literature, or children's books as media; I primarily think of social media and the warnings against it.
When it comes to personal guidelines, I try to align my media with what I hope my life is like. I unfollow people who I don't know or wouldn't speak to in person, I delete apps that are bothersome and only taking up space, and while I love to try new things, if I don't like the media, I stop consuming it. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I also work to make sure that what I consume promotes goodness. Not everything I consume, watch, or read is church centered, but I hope that it all will make me more of who I hope to become.
I think my media habits could be useful in teachers/students in secondary settings because they seem to be healthy, although I'm willing to admit I am biased and I could be better at how I spend my time, especially my time online. I think it goes back to what I mentioned earlier about human connection. Media can be used for any kind of purpose or intent, but I believe its ultimate and true purpose is to bring us closer together as human beings. Media acts as a channel by which we come to know others, and by which we come to know ourselves.
I love the stress you put on human connection; I'd always thought media was meant to feed myself (whether with information or entertainment, it doesn't matter). When we think about media in the way that you do, I think we could all become more mindful of what we do so that we are actually fostering connection.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the fact that you write poetry is incredible! That's a creative way of expressing yourself and I personally am terrible at writing poetry. It'd be so cool to see you perform something!
(I also enjoy a good Lord of the Rings marathon)
So awesome! I love that you use media as a way to help shape who you are and what kind of person you want to be. It's so easy to let media have an affect on me rather than me actively using it to become better. I agree with Cami, the emphasis on human connection is so important! I think media is used best when we can become more empathetic by learning about someone else's experience or making new friends online. One thing your post made me think about--how, specifically, could you incorporate this philosophy into a secondary classroom? Thanks for sharing Emma!!
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