There is a LOT of Media

Before looking at the Wikipedia page that listed out all of the different types of media, I only assumed that physical ways to communicate an idea was considered media. We all know about social media, such as Facebook,  Twitter, Tumblr, etc., as well as print media, like newspapers and magazines.  Television was also an electronic version of media that I knew of before reading the article; but I never would have thought that food, light, and carpentry were sources of media.

I feel that we are all drawn to the types of media that directly give us the information we want when we want it, and that can also entertain us.  We can use Google for almost anything, Facebook to share random things and to look at what other random things are in your news feed, and YouTube to watch plenty of videos varying from pop culture news to gaming videos, and make up tutorials to the cinnamon challenge.  But we don't really come into contact with the other forms, such as paintings and architecture, because unlike during the Renaissance, we aren't drastically changing our style and our views.

Now on the talk of social media, which everyone has at least some version of, I personally only use Instagram, Vine, and Tumblr.  When I first got an Instagram, no one used it, so I thought it was just a photo editing app.  Next thing I know, everyone is using it and are requesting to follow me.  Vine and Tumblr are versions of social media that I have an account on, but only use to procrastinate, I don't actually post anything.  Now Facebook is where things get complicated.  I have an account, but since Facebook became less about what your "friends" actually post and more about ads and what they have shared, I have gotten really annoyed with it, and just don't use it.  Twitter and Pinterest are the types of social media I do not use.  I don't have accounts with either and I honestly don't understand how they work or what their points are, so naturally I just don't use them.

Then there is the topic of Youtube.  Is it considered social media, or is it not?  I consider it a form of social media because their is a possible form of two way conversation.  Their is the comment section where people can communicate with the video's owner or other viewers.  Some YouTubers have Q&A's where they answer their viewers questions, or host livestreams so that their viewers can watch and interact in real time.

Ultimately, social media is a form of media that can reciprocate communication, hence the word "social."