My Outlook on Media Consumption

My Outlook on Media Consumption

My name is Thomas McMillen and I was raised by a father who is an atheist and a mother who is very spiritual. I believe this is important element in the understanding of my wordly outlook. I am the result of a duality in beliefs and for that I feel vastly connected to the earth however guide my actions with a foundation of sacred purpose. My father is grounded in the belief that you are what you put onto this earth and for that I have always been interested in the output of media. Media to me documents and verbalizes the human experience. My entire childhood I was engrossed in learning history, art and media. I was fortunate enough to receive a phone and computer at an early age of life and to be alive for the front of technological advancement. Therefore, it has been a major factor in my development and outlook.

I am at an age now where I am comfortable to say I am a multimedia artist, a term I never felt I had the qualifications to proclaim until I commited my higher education to the craft. However, reflecting on my past media consumption and output, I believe the greatest advantage of social media is that it allows you a platform, regardless of your qualifications. I have been posting my work to Instagram, youtube and twitter from the moment I downloaded the apps. Small victories of “likes” by family and friends gave me a perceived audience which in return gave me purpose.

Thumbs up is the image synonymous with liking an image

Although at times, social media can overwhelm my mental state, I calm my anxieties by indulging in more media. Whether music or video, I keep my mind constantly busy. I believe this aspect of modern media is taken for granted because we can access anything in the matter of seconds. I try to not let others beliefs on the negative impact excessive media consumption alter the peace I find through it. If I am in a park and I take out my phone to document my feelings or to capture a photo, some friends say I have to live in the moment. But, I believe they are working off ideologies of elders that have been voiced to them because I truly believe social media allows you to be in an universal moment. For this reason I do not experience perceived “FOMO” (fear of missing out). Though this might be because of some egotism, I have the belief that you only have your reality, your identity and your moment. Therefore, I like to look at individuals social media as a documentation of a human experience. Although one can attest that social media gives an altered perception of someone because you choose what you want to make public, I believe there is something to say about someone through their curation. We are able to curate our lives and spread that version of our experience to a platform. I find that beautiful and it makes me an active participant in media.