Personal Media Use

self portrait of Brandon Perez

Brandon Perez

Why Computers and New Media?

I am in this class because I want to learn more about the impact of media on my life and how I can use it to my advantage. I am also interested in the psychology of media and how it can be used to influence people. I believe using media can help make people's lives easier and more enjoyable.

Media I Frequently Use

Music

  • Apple Music
    • Lo-fi, Pop, Rock, Alternative
  • YouTube Music
    • Classical, Campfire music, background music
  • Live or Recorded Performances
    • Concerts, Live sessions, Podcasts

Games

  • Console
    • Xbox
      • Rocket League, Minecraft, Call of Duty, Forza
    • Nintendo
      • Mario Series Games, Zelda, Pokemon
  • PC
    • Terreria, Minecraft

Still Images

  • Social Media
    • Instagram
  • Personal Photography
    • Sharing with friends/family, personal archive

Moving Images

  • Television
    • Science fiction, Drama, Comedy
  • Short-form Video
    • YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels

Content I Generate

  • Communication
    • Email, Messaging apps, Discussion forums
      • Gmail, Discord, Reddit
  • Creative or Academic Work
    • Documents, Code repositories, Notes
      • Google Docs, Github, Microsoft OneNote

Challenge: Finding Reliable, High-Quality Sources

One ongoing challenge with my media consumption and content generation is reliably finding trustworthy, high-quality information at the moment I need it. When I search for tutorials or DIY videos, for example, there can be dozens of results with similar titles but widely varying levels of accuracy and trustworthiness. Evaluating which sources are up-to-date, technically correct, and free from hidden sponsorship or bias can take more time than actually following the instructions themselves. This challenge becomes even more noticeable when I am learning a new tool, framework, or similar: older videos may no longer match the current interface, and comment sections are left with ambiguous information.

As a result, I often have to cross-check multiple sources, compare instructions against official documentation, and test small steps on my own before fully committing to a particular workflow. While this careful process helps reduce mistakes, it also introduces friction into both casual and academic media use. Designing tools or platforms that better surface reliable, context-aware recommendations for DIY content and technical guides would significantly improve my experience.