Nițu Iuliana & Răduță Corina

Whoever Controls the

Media, the Images,
Controls the Culture
- Min Kim, TEDx Talks
MAIN IDEAS
Various people can look at the same exact thing and
see something completely different.

Based on their race, ethnicity, culture, age,

environment and past experiences, people perceive things
in a subjective manner and their perspectives may differ
considerably, and even be completely contradictory. The
way one feels about something is strongly influenced by
their prior context, their knowledge on the subject and the
form they decide to approach that subject, which can be
very divergent from one another. The most handy example
is the perception we form on people. Our minds can use the
physical features we see (in this TedTalk, on a magazine) to
create a personal opinion: friendly, professional, welcoming
or angry, aggressive, intense. This just shows how different
 Our opinion on things and the way we view life is
influenced by media, whether or not we realize it.

We are exposed to different types of media and we

process this media quite differently and, as a result, we
all have unique relationships with media. Even if we see
the same image, quote, status, each of us interprets it in
a certain way. Media alters our perspective on important
subjects from politics and economy to the image of
ourselves. Our virtual world consists of who we follow,
what news platforms we care about, and, on a bigger
scale, this has an impact on our life outside the devices,
our life in the real world.
In the economic, social and political atmosphere that we live
in, there is no future where the role of media will
fundamentally change.

Media is no longer service of information, but about

entertainment and emotion. Everything that media
presents is meant to bring some profit, to lead to a
purchase, a share online. Its filters has limited our view
on things and life, showing us specific ways we should
behave, feel, talk or look. Media is a means of
manipulation, using our insecurities and passions to
ultimately obtain something from us, whether it’s
money, attention or popularity.
 PERSONAL
OPINION ON
THE SUBJECT
We personally agree with the fact
that our life experiences influence
our point of view. When looking at
a photo, it makes us feel different
types of emotions. Even though
the pictures were with the same
person, they did not evoke the
same feeling for everyone. Most of
the time, pictures showing a
certain type of discipline and a
certain type of clothing, in this
case standing, smiling and
wearing a suit makes us feel good
and safe. The picture in which
Kendrick Lamar sits relaxed, with
his hand in his pocket and a
straight face makes us feel
uncomfortable and the one in
which LeBron James seems to be
screaming worries us.
We believe that these reactions
are aggressive and that is why
they put us in a bad mood.
Also, the articles or interviews
for which they posed are
related to the image created by
the media on the magazine. If
we have read them first, we
may think something else
about the pictures that were
shown to us. Besides the first
impression that the images
create for us, the description
can also be based on people’s
interaction with media.
Everyone has their unique
We believe that media is a
part of our lives and it has its
benefits which go along with
the inconveniences. The
media tends to divide us by
race, class and even politics.
These divisions lead to many
conflicts because media
designs news in order to
make us feel some type of After all, if it gave us the real truth, we
way. We really need to see it would not have anything to gossip/talk
as a two edged sword about. Besides the rumors and the
because it gives us limitation of our view, the media
information, but it does not connects us with the rest of the world
explain what they really and it helps us get involved in events
mean. which can be benefic for our planet.
Moreover, media talks about our
passions, but also about our
insecurities which is another proof of
the duality of this platform.
 PERSONAL
OPINION ON
QUOTE
“Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily
routine, your refrigerator full of food, your closet full of your
clothes... with all of this taken away, you’re forced into direct
experience. I eventually realized that direct experience is the
most valuable experience I can have.”

I strongly agree with the quote because the best things

happened to me when I was out of my comfort zone and I
relate to it. Personally, when I get away from my ordinary
surroundings I find out things about other cultures, if I go
to another country, or I get to know more about the cities
from Romania. Besides the cultural diversity, the food that
doesn’t belong to my refrigerator is always better because
it is new and tastes different. Along with cultural and
gastronomic diversity, talking to people on our way to new
surroundings gives us the opportunity to make new friends
and get involved in other trips. I believe that the direct
experience is the best way to enhance your knowledge
and it should not be forced, but desired.