Nicole’s Notebook

Over the short 16 years of life, I have consumed a great deal of media. Like I have mentioned in past posts, I used to spend hours and hours on the internet, surfing the web, spending time on social media apps, and caring greatly about the virtual image I portrayed to the outside world. Fast forward a few years, and I was somewhat aware of how my media consumption affected me. I discovered that excessive media consumption can be detrimental to my emotional and mental health, so I did my best to limit my time on the internet. I do not feel like my relationship with media was drastically changed as a result of this class, because I was already pretty aware of these effects. However, I definitely learned a lot about advertising and gained a greater insight into what companies are attempting to do. Though I attempt to escape the media’s powerful hand, I always find myself being affected by its shadow. I am constantly being bombarded with images of beautiful women. Whether I am walking

*NO SPOILERS! :)  .    Released in March 2017, "Thirteen Reasons Why" is a Netflix original series that is based on Jay Asher's book Thirteen Reasons . Touching on important topics; such as sexual assault, substance abuse, suicide, mental health, bullying/cyberbullying, and gun violence; seasons one and two have brought much controversy to the table. Some believe this show romanticizes suicide, while others believe this is a way to start a conversation about important issues. Regardless of the public opinion, this TV show has become an overnight success and has been nominated in 2018 by MTV Movie and TV Awards for Best Show.  .    After enduring tragedy after tragedy, high school student Hannah Baker takes her own life, leaving behind 13 tapes to describe the reasons why she did it. The show follows Clay Jenson, Hannah's unofficial lover, as he listens to her audio diary and follows her journey. While he relives her tragedies, Clay connects with his high school pe

     I am not one to pity myself, yet in 2018, it is hard to be a woman. I am in no way shape or form attempting to diminish the struggles men go through; however as I grow up and mature, my eyes are opened to the drastically different trials women endure in their everyday life. There were many topics in "Miss Representation" that I was well aware of as well as many topics that I was not.       Though released in 2011, the ideas in this film are far from outdated. As stated in the movie, a woman's worth lies in their physical appearance. Completely disregarding her intelligence, the media oversexualizes women and projects the idea that their only job in life is to please a man. The expectation the media places on women is almost inescapable, as they create extremely unattainable standards women feel obligated to fulfill. Plastic surgery; including botox, breast implants, and rhinoplasties; have skyrocketed in recent years, amplifying insecurities and breeding more. I, p

The feedback loop (mentioned in my "#tbt to tbh and rates" article) in the media is, as the name implies, a very circular cycle. In terms of PBS's "Making Cents out of Teens," advertising companies analyze teens and show an exaggerated image of themselves back to then. These teens then match these exaggerated images and change themselves to be what they see on the screen. I used to watch a great deal of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel Shows. Victorious, iCarly, Good Luck Charlie, and Wizards of Waverly Place are among the few shows I indulged in as a preteen. In all of these shows, there is one constant: (almost) everyone is dumb and overdramatic. Though this makes for an interesting show worth watching, it creates very unrealistic scenarios that kids follow. For me, it worked both ways. I used to be very dramatic as a kid and it was partly because of the shows I used to watch. However, as I grew up and matured, I realized how unintelligent these characters wer

Upon watching PBS Frontline’s “Making Cents out of Teens,” I was aware of most of the items they discussed. However, I found music and midriffs to be particularly interesting. I especially relate to the nonmainstream music. When I was in middle school, I did my best to listen to the radio as often as possible so I could memorize the lyrics of the popular songs that were played. However, last year I attended a LANY concert with my friend. This band is not extremely unpopular, but their songs are not regularly played on the radio. Though a simple concert, this event changed my perspective and outlook on unpopular music. From that day on, I began searching for new, non-mainstream music and found joy when I discovered new artists and songs. I became more particular about my music taste, developed a larger appreciation for music in general, and was more critical of the lyrics, songs, and singers. I now take pride when an unpopular artist I have been following starts to develop fame. Fo

     Created in 2010, Instagram has been the Myspace of Gen Z. Being one of the top social media apps, my generation was the first to experience this "new and improved" Facebook that was accustomed to our age group. I was in fourth grade (2011) when I made my Instagram account. It was the first social media app I owned and was a place for me to explore cyberspace while familiarizing myself with what would become my future. Over time, this app has gone through a major "glo up"; what was once a rigid, grey, brown, and blue layout with a constricting, square frame was now a bright purple, pink, orange gradient with live-streaming and story options. To say the least, I feel as if my Instagramming ways evolved with the app itself.      As we are coming upon Instagram's 8th birthday, I can reflect on my past ways. Though my feed is not aesthetically pleasing as some, my "Instagram game" has improved tremendously over the seven years I have owned my a

     I love music. I have over 1200 songs saved to my Spotify (@nicolefong13 if you want to check it out ;)), and I can always be found with my headphones in my ears.  I used to find myself singing along to songs on the radio without realizing what the lyrics are truly saying; however, I have learned to pay close attention to the message the artists are attempting to convey. I put great effort into seeking new, meaningful music and find joy in finding undiscovered artists.       N ot only is it a good way to focus on homework and pass the time, music also helps me to express my inexpressible emotions. I often find myself at a lost for words, trying and failing to find words to explain the internal feelings I do not understand myself. I long for emotional connections with others, yet end up changing the words that come out of my mouth and mask how I truly feel inside. The words in my head become like alphabet soup and when vulnerability is standing right in front of me. Where I w

“Somewhere off in outer space There's a world, no wars, no hate Where all the broken hearts are safe I don't know where it is I just imagine it”      These are the lyrics of MKTO’s song “Just Imagine It.” To give a synopsis, the musician describes an ideal world in which everyone utilizes their voice for good, attempting to change the world one action at a time.  This song says rather than focusing on what we cannot do, we should focus on our ability to change the world. Though the world will never be perfect, we can do what we can to strive for improvement and strive for a better tomorrow.      When you turn on the news, all you hear is horrific situations, depressing stories, and angering debates. There are very rare instances in which the news attempts to focus on the good things and the inspiring stories causing most people choose to focus on the bad rather than the good, the depressing rather than joyous, the heartbreaking rather than comforting and le

     As mentioned in a previous blog post, my wifi router was temporarily out of service. Interestingly enough,  an advertisement for that same system popped up on my Quizlet as I was furiously cramming for my AP bio test. At first I thought it was a coincidence, yet I remembered companies purchase search history and utilize the information to customize the ads we see. Less than a day after we purchased a new wifi system, Quizlet had already discovered I was in the market for a new internet system, meticulously crafted an ad, and displayed it on my mobile device.      This was a concept that was touched on in PBS’s “The Persuaders.” Much of this video revolves around advertisements, as it describes the complicated maze companies must weave through in order to sell products to consumers. This video was produced in 2004, over 10 years ago, but there is no doubt advertising and marketing has become as difficult as saying afloat a treacherous storm.     The part of the film that

     James Charles. Youtube sensation. Successful male makeup artist. The first male Covergirl. There is no doubt James Charles is a successful business man as well as a Youtube celebrity, reaching millions of people through the internet. Among his other talents, James finds joy in photo editing and is notorious for his dramatic Facetune usage.      Do not get me wrong. Many if not all social media influencers, as well as ordinary people, use Facetune to adjust the lighting, enhance their natural features, or smooth out their skin. However the use of apps such as Facetune or photoshop in general create an over looming feeling of pressure for people to fulfill these unreachable expectations.      As we are glued to our screens, we are bombarded with fake pictures and begin to compare ourselves to these flawless images. Images of clear skin and full lips, bright eyes and a petite nose. Pictures of a curved figure, a thin waist, a flat stomach, and toned legs. Picture perfect

         On Saturday, April 21, 2018, my middle school nightmare came true: my wifi router broke. The bridge that kept me connected to my peers was broken and the means of staying socially “in the loop” was terminated. If I am being honest, the lack of internet connection in my home was more of an inconvenience than a tragedy.      To say the least, the lack of wifi in my house was quite annoying. Because I find keeping track of flash drives to be a hassle, Google Docs is my best friend. Most of my homework is stored in Google Docs, and the lack of internet made utilizing this tool more challenging than helpful. I could no longer search up an AP bio question I could not find in my textbook. I could no longer reach Mr. Griffin’s website or Mr. Masincupp’s Google Classroom with the click of a button. I dusted off my scientific calculator for Desmos was temporarily unreachable. Because my printer is wireless and dependent on internet connection, transforming my digital homework in

     A successful businesswoman, a role model for a many, a shallow, rich girl obsessed with her physical appearance. Whichever phrase you use to describe the 20-year-old reality television personality, Kylie Jenner's name has been all over the news since the release of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" in 2007. Kylie has been getting more attention than usual, because she was found at Coachella without her two month old baby Stormi, stirring up much controversy from the general public. Two successful news corporations, News.com.au  and The Guardian responded to and commented on Kylie's Coachella attendance, having two very different takes on the same event.      "A 'cool mum' doesn't up and leave her newborn for a weekend of partying at Coachella -- yes that's you Kylie Jenner ... If you wanted to party don't get pregnant #WhatAConcept."        "Kylie Jenner should be everyone's example of learning how to use protection

  Though I was never obsessed with "Camp Rock" as many of my other peers were (High School Musical was right up my alley), Demi Lovato's name was always in the spotlight. A childhood celebrity and mainstream media influencer, Lovato has proven to be a successful singer and actress... on the surface.      Scrolling through my YouTube page, Demi's documentary caught my eye. Ignoring the countless hours of homework I needed to complete, I found myself clicking on the 78-minute video, delving into a world I thought I knew. I was wrong. As a successful actress, singer, model, and businesswomen, most would presume Demi's life is perfect, yet that could not be farther from the truth. Within the first minute, I discovered Demi's teenage years were saturated with alcohol, cocaine, Adderall, weed, and eating disorders. I learned more about Lovato's life than I ever thought was possible.     Seeing the troubles she endured reminded me of a quote that framed

     Promoting from elementary school to middle school represented the end of my "tween days" and the emergence into my teen years. In middle school, I was obsessed with social media. Apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and occasionally Ask.fm scattered my iPhone homepage, and I could not get enough. At one time, I had 60 different Snapchat streaks, the highest being around 400. I was obsessed with the number of likes on my newest Instagram post and spent hours crafting the wittiest tweet. Interestingly enough, this was the time in which I thrived socially. I had a decent amount of friends and my middle school experience was unforgettable.      I soon departed from my "cringey" middle schools, and my emergence into high school was a whole new ballpark. Bombarded with countless hours of homework, I no longer had the time nor desire, to waste my precious time scrolling through pictures or tweets and clicking through numerous Snapchat stories. I dreaded sendi