Media Day in the Life

Tasked with tracking a day in the life of my media consumption, I picked Thursday the 21st. Much of my consumption is audio-based, such as podcasts and YouTube videos, as I am constantly doing work. I do not have Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, so all my scrolling happens on Twitter. Even though I only use one social media platform, it is a platform that is highly customizable to my tastes, needs, and preferences. This personalization makes it difficult to put down, so I am excited to explore what I consumed! 

12 AM: I spent the late night doing my finance homework while listening to NPR’s podcast It’s Been a Minute, categorized under NPR’s society and culture section. I listened to the March 15th episode, which focused on the 2024 presidential election, specifically, how it might be between President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. NPR is a reputable source, although it leans heavily toward the left politically. During this episode, an election specialist with a good deal of experience on the field accompanied the host in speaking about the upcoming election. The podcast seems spot on with the spectacle of Trump and Biden, both in the media for being presidents and for other reasons, one for scheming, the other for being old. Since the podcast explains the spectacle of the presidential race, it seems reputable. The facts are facts. It is going to be interesting! 

7 AM: Unfortunately, when my alarm wakes me, I first open Twitter. I must leave my bed at 7:30 a.m., so I scroll until then. Even though I have never been interested in the Royal family, my suggested “for you” tab has a bunch of information and conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton and the royal family. Many of the tweets suggested are from accounts that do not seem credible, based on the fact they could be anyone and are pushing conspiracies. Twitter is currently in an odd state since Elon Musk acquired it, so while some of the content I saw was from “verified” accounts, the information did not seem forthcoming or accurate. My “following” feed is much more fitting for my interests, as it consists of those I follow. Topics include current events, music, pop culture, movies, writing, and books. 

9 AM: I arrived at my job and checked my email. It’s filled with spam and random news sites I do not visit. 

11 AM: In the middle of a meeting (not a critical one), I am scrolling through YouTube, trying to find what I will listen to next as I work. 

12 PM: The meeting is over! I chose to listen to/watch (mostly listen to) an Absolute History documentary about the Brontë sisters. While not concerned with current affairs, this was an entertaining listen since I am curious about the lives and times of writers. Absolute History is an account and publication focusing on history, usually choosing a documentary format to explore the past. According to their channel, they strive to deliver accessible information that is fun, entertaining, and enlightening. In the video, Tony Robinson is the guide into this new world. He speaks with literary experts and archivists along the way, so this content seems quite reputable. Since this is a video focusing on a low-stakes topic, there is not much (if any) reason for there to purposefully misrepresent facts or personal inputs. 

2 PM: The documentary concludes, and I listen to some of Ariana Grande’s new album. Love it!

3 PM: I listen to The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I also love it! 

5 PM: I usually listen to music in the car, but I chose a podcast called Vibe Check. This podcast is distributed/supported by Stitcher, and Saeed Jones, Zach Stafford, and Sam Sanders host it. The views expressed on the podcast lean towards whatever the hosts express, and they tend to be left-leaning. I listened to the March 13th episode, which focuses on the ongoing crisis in Palestine with journalist Afeef Nessouli. Nessouli has worked/written for the New York Times, Daily Show, Jimmy Carter, and CNN and was in international law. This episode was a stand-out as it took on a serious tone. Nessouli has tangible groundwork and provides evidence, so he is a reputable source to me. Going back to fact-checking, I have found several recent videos and articles showing the humanitarian crisis across Palestine. Simply searching “Palestine,” a plethora of articles come up showing the distress present in the state. These articles are from learning sources, but when a video/statistic displays the crisis, it appears reputable. 

7 PM: I am back on Twitter, reading posts about Dune in all formats.  

10 PM: I go to bed to the sounds of rain every night, so I open YouTube on my laptop and play a twenty-hour playlist. From a video I viewed at maybe 8 pm on Twitter, the “rain” sound is probably chicken/food sizzling in a pan.

I feel I constantly look at my phone throughout the day, but I listen a lot more. Audio is how I connect to the world; having something playing in the background creates a more comfortable atmosphere when working. I fact-check primarily on Twitter since anyone can get bombarded with any information. Luckily, Twitter does have a “community notes” feature that acts as a fact checker. The audio I consume seems less questionable than that of a traditional social media site, but it does cater to me. I share the same views and beliefs as the host. As for podcasts, I do not fact-check, as I have built a relationship with the hosts, but I should. Spending time with them every week creates a parasocial relationship where I have fostered trust. Fact-checking is something I should apply religiously across the board.