How's that
for a title? Real talk, this blog is one of the best things that's ever
happened to me. I have secretly wanted to keep a critical thinking blog since
middle school, but I never knew exactly where to begin. This assignment gave me
a starting point, and I couldn't be more grateful.
But now, as
the school year is winding down to a close, there is no longer a need to update
this blog… or is there (stay tuned and see if I can keep my promises)? It's
time for a reflection.
My media
reflexes have definitely improved due to this blog. Now, instead of just taking
in things, I begin to deconstruct, to react outwardly, instead of internalizing
the message passively. Now, I like to think that I have discarded my media
illiteracy and am beginning to understand what is really being said, about life
and myself as a consumer. Knowing this is important, because it can help us see
past the lies (if you're into that kind of thing). It can also give us insight
into other-- sometimes more commonly held-- perspectives. And last but not
least, media education injects clarity into consumption. If we know what the
people behind the screen are saying, we know what we're buying (at least, in
theory).
Now we come
to the real question: has my deconstruction and reporting on media affected how
much media I consume? Ben SChwartz
(I remembered the 'c', Ben. I don't know if you're proud of me, but I am) and
Ethan Lee got super real about this on their blogs. I also distinctly remember
some of our classmates saying that they consumed significantly more media due
to their blogs. While that may ring true for some of them, I'd like to note the
ways it could be a misconception. Take yourself back to childhood. Think of the
times you 'discovered something', like a different food, sport, game, subject,
etc. They always existed, you just had not seen or looked closer at them yet.
My peers have been so blind that upon being encouraged to truly examine their
media consumption, they were overwhelmed by the magnitude of that which already
existed, independent of Starace's assignment. They were finally exposed to
their own consumption, which can be a great shock, especially if they didn't
feel like they were doing much with media before. Ethan bespoke of a similar
sentiment to my own, where he noticed that his 'critey sense', or his critical
thinking powers, had heightened, therefore increasing his media sensibilities.
Ben commented in his usual commendably blunt way, saying that his blog was only
a place for expression of the thinking he had already done (holler out to my
boy Ben: "When I wrote down what I was thinking, I was able to take it
further instead of just wondering about it now and then during certain classes
that shall remain unnamed" Same tho). While I did get more into Snapchat's
Discover feature and new Youtubers and such, I believe that's a result of
finals stress, and not due to this blog. I try to distract myself from the
seemingly endless angst that consumes the entirety of my person.
Speaking of
distraction, the more I learned about techniques in media, the more I cut
through the crap. Like, seriously. Clearasil tried to hit me where I'm
vulnerable (facial acne), but failed, because I saw through their lies (straight
through with my laser eyes of perception). The advertisers attempt to distract
us with all these pretty, silly little things, but when it comes down to it,
there's a lot of junk. I was mildly aware of it before, but receiving some
semi-formal training on dealing with media has made me far more literate in the
ways of the advertisement and editorial, the television show and the website. I
am proud to say that I have more positive takeaway than negative from this
year's learning.
This blog
has been a great source of entertainment for me. I learned a lot about myself,
became more confident in my writing, and nourished some relationships with my
classmates (shout-out to Ethan Lee. Bro, your blog is killer!). I also greatly
enjoyed the blogs of my peers, and as I recognized in my earlier post,
MEDIA-CEPTION, I gained insight into who they are and what they care about.
Like I said, this year's got a great takeaway for me.
Last words:
Thank you Mr. Starace, and all of my classmates! While the assignment might
end, my blog will (gods willing) live on. So thank you all, again, and have a
wonderful summer!
Milton says bye, 4 now
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