Why Media Literacy Is Important
You ever met that person who believed anything they heard on the internet?
They just took the internet’s word.
No further research needed.
Maybe it’s not always the internet.
It could even be the mainstream media.
However, the same concept holds true.
This group did not question diddly squat.
This is how a lot of people get brainwashed.
They take every information as the truth.
They focus all their mental resources on the content & have no clue what context is.
In the information age, media literacy is going to be more important than ever.
Some have heard the phrase, media literacy.
While this is a new phrase for many.
Let’s go thru this phrase.
Better to prepare the mind now…because there will be a LOT more media coming in the near future.
What is Media?
‘Yo bro….so what is media literacy?’
You should have first asked what is media…
‘Okay smartass. What is media?’
Media is anything that holds a message.
That’s it.
You can get more detailed if you want.
But that’s not needed.
If you understand the simplicity of the definition, then I want you to find 5 examples of media in your current location.
‘5? I can’t. I’m not watching tv or anything.’
Doesn’t matter.
Media does not only have to be content seen on tv.
Anything that holds a message.
So with this paradigm, you can see that the front cover of a book, has a message.
Your coffee brand has a message on the label.
The Clorox wipes.
And this blog too.
This allows you to see that plenty of significant things have a connection to media.
By widening our definition, we will be better able to build media literacy.
What is Media Literacy?
‘So now can I ask what is media literacy?’
Yes.
Media literacy is the ability to navigate media.
‘What does navigate consist of?’
-The ability to analyze, understand and create media.
You don’t need all 3 variables.
But the more the merrier.
Someone may be able to analyze media.
But they missed the ultimate meaning of the message that was trying to be conveyed.
Therefore, they did not understand it.
One of those dudes who just picks apart grammar.
There may be a Tik Tok star who blew up.
But they had no clue WHY they blew up on their platform.
They created media, but they did not understand it.
Analyze, understand & create are 3 separate plates.
And learning to balance them is very difficult.
Since it is difficult, many blindly follow whatever they see on the web.
They are unable to distinguish between blatant propaganda & a thoughtful piece.
This is how brainwashing happens.
Gradually Building Media Literacy
‘Let’s say I wanted to get better at my media literacy…’
Okay.
‘Where do I begin?’
You begin by asking yourself:
-what kinds of media do I intentionally consume?
It’s been studied that the average person consumes roughly around 5 hours of media per day!
From listening to podcasts, watching YouTube, reading books & tweets, etc.
Ask yourself where you stand.
‘Gotcha. Then?’
Now it’s a game of asking yourself…
How do I consume the media?
Everyone is different.
We consume media based on our personality types.
Some people are scrollers.
They turn something on, just to get a gist…and turn it off to go to the next video.
Others are very into what they consume.
They listen intently.
They watch intently.
And they ponder slowly.
You may be a bit of both.
This just gets you viewing media from a different lens.
How to Spin 3 Plates
Analyze, understand & create.
These are 3 core foundations of media literacy.
‘What if I don’t want to create media?’
Do you have Twitter, Facebook, Instagram? Something like that?
‘Yea.’
Do you post there?
‘Yea.’
Then you create.
Don’t think you have to be some sort of celebrity to post.
Anything in a digital social setting can still lay the groundwork to build media literacy.
To build media literacy, it’s best to follow the general rhythm of:
Understand, analyze, create.
In the real world, most of these will probably be happening simultaneously.
When we try to spin multiple plates…see them shatter.
But hey, at least we are moving with intent.
That’s how balance is built.
Understand
Understand comes down to getting the general theme of the message.
What was the creator trying to convey?
This is a macroscopic viewpoint.
I like the phrase ‘getting a gist.’
Analyze
If understanding was the macroscopic viewpoint.
Then analyze is the microscopic viewpoint.
This really comes down to asking some questions like:
Was the creator biased?
Were they trying to change my mind?
How did they inform me?
Just a few questions.
Create
Creating can come down to personal, professional, or a mix between both.
I know people who do a YouTube channel for fun.
But they get paid off it too.
That’s not like a lot of people.
They predominantly consume & post socially.
Even on social posts, what do you normally talk about?
This sheds some insights.
Overall, media literacy is always a judgment game.
Others can’t consume the content for you.
There may be classes on it down the line.
But it’s a game of getting a headstart yourself.
Technically, there are no right or wrong answers, for now.
The Future of Media
I had a shy friend recently tell me how he wanted to start a Twitch.
He wanted to work on his speaking skills.
I was surprised.
This was a guy I would never picture being involved in any sort of media.
However, he gained interest.
In the future, there are going to be many more players in the game of media.
‘Many?’
Yes, many.
I believe there will be just as many creators as consumers.
And I’m talking about intentional creators.
With the advances of communications technology, that’s just bound to happen.
Meanwhile, there will be a lot of content out in the world.
Are you media literate?
Are you media illiterate?
Or are you illiterate thinking that you are literate?
The last one would be a sad place to be in.
Luckily, this is a game of introspection and learning skills the hard way.
Anything that requires judgment requires us to get fooled a few times.
Before we come out on the other end, with the healed battle scars & wisdom.
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– ArmaniTalks 
