Media History

Media has influenced my life in more ways than I ever realized until I started looking back at old pictures, screenshots, and saved posts. It’s kind of like having a visual timeline of how technology and communication have shaped who I am. Everything from news articles pushed to my phone, to memes people tag me in, to the design of beer cans I notice at the store has played some role in how I think, feel, and connect with the world around me. When I scroll through these moments, I can clearly see how different forms of media have helped me make sense of my identity, my relationships, and even the world at large. This project is basically a look back at how media has been there through every phase, helping me learn new things, feel a certain way, stay connected to people, gain new perspectives, and keep growing. Using images from my personal life, I explore the ways media has been a constant part of my personal history.

One major way media helps me gain insights about the world is through news and digital journalism. The screenshot from Axios about Cracker Barrel changing its logo might seem tiny, but it shows how much attention people give to branding and corporate identity. Seeing how dramatic the reactions were online helps me understand how emotional people get about even small changes. On the more serious side, the Wall Street Journal screenshot about Trump and Putin is an example of how global events end up on my screen whether I actively look for them or not. Stories like these help me keep track of what’s happening in the world and remind me that we’re all connected in ways we don’t always think about. At the same time, I learn a lot about myself by noticing what media I'm drawn to. The Cheez-It pizza box image is a good example of nostalgic advertising catching my eye. I also tend to save pictures of creative beer labels, which shows how much I appreciate branding, artwork, and visual design. Media like this helps me see not only the world but also what kinds of things appeal to me.

Media also hits me emotionally in different ways. Sometimes it’s deep and sometimes it’s simple. For example, the photo of my cat always gives me a sense of calm and comfort, especially on stressful days. Personal media like that reminds me how important it is to save little moments that make me feel grounded. The screenshot from Tasting History on YouTube inspires me in a whole different way. Watching someone recreate old recipes while telling historical stories makes me feel creative and curious. It’s the kind of media that makes me want to try new things. And then you have the complete opposite with the Facebook dad joke post. That type of humor is goofy and lighthearted, but it has a real emotional effect because it makes me laugh even when I’m not expecting it. All of these examples show how media plays a role in lifting my mood, entertaining me, or helping me relax.

Media also connects me to something bigger than just myself. The group photos—like the elevator selfie, the beer cellar hangout, and my friends smiling—show how social media and digital photography help document my relationships. These images become shared memories that make me feel part of a community. They remind me of moments that mattered, and without media, they wouldn’t be recorded in the same way. The Holiday Craft Fair flyer is another good example of how media connects people. Local events rely on posters like this to bring the community together. Even the digital tap list at the beer cellar shows how media is used in everyday public places to create atmosphere and connection. Media plays a huge role in helping me feel connected to others—friends, family, local groups, and even people I haven’t met yet but share experiences with online.

Media also helps me gain new perspectives on the world. The photo of me thinking while looking at art in a museum represents the way visual media encourages reflection. Art makes me slow down, think, and look at things differently. The Benjamin Franklin pillow quote also gives me perspective in a funny but meaningful way. Media like that appears in random everyday places, but it still sticks with me. Even small images like a plate of food can shift my thinking. Food photos show comfort, routine, and the little things that make life feel stable. All these examples show how media can make me look at life from different angles—even when it’s something simple.

Media plays a big role in my personal growth. My interest in creative packaging—like the beer labels and specialty bottles—has made me pay more attention to marketing, design, and the stories companies tell through visuals. It’s made me appreciate local businesses and the creativity behind the products I buy. Following the news helps me grow in another way. Staying informed, even through small or unexpected stories, makes me think more critically about the world and the information I consume. Meanwhile, fun media like memes and YouTube shows remind me to stay curious and not take things too seriously. All of these forms of media help shape how I learn, how I grow emotionally, and how I understand the world around me.

Looking back at all of these images, it’s clear that media has been a huge part of my life. Whether it’s news, humor, art, advertising, or moments with friends, each type of media has helped shape my personal history. These images show how media helps me understand myself better, connect with others, see the world in new ways, feel emotions, and grow as a person. Media isn’t just something I consume—it’s something that has helped shape who I am today.