This week’s reading is on “Making Media Studies”.

In the introduction, a suggestion was made that there are two activities at peak in media that have an opposing nature—creative making and surveillance/data exploitation. I suppose the reason that caused this is down to the form of media is now publicised. Institutions used to be the host for any publications; whereas today, any individual is a host if you wish to. Seeing everyone’s creations is good for originating new ideas, gaining inspiration. On the other hand, the network is a two-way route, one can be watched through information online, or on CCTV.

David Gauntlett remarked on “making” media studies that it’s more about learning with rather than learning about media. I suppose the difference is the former being more active than the latter. Media, unlike science subjects, is not something you can just study and draw theories and conclusions to your research. It is about, according to David, communication, exchange and transformation. So when we approach “media”, I’d say we should treat it like a person, a friend. We actively learn from it and interact with it. Media is not like a frightful statue of a person but a live person with so many more sparks of information and inspiration; with it, we can “make things happen.”

“What kinds of knowledge do we need in making media studies?” In another blog post, David answered with three main points:

  • How things work (technical and economic knowledge)
  • How things feel and fit (emotional and embodied knowledge)
  • How to make a difference (creative and political knowledge)

The first two is pretty practical, but the last one is like the goal; without the first two, the third cannot be achieved. I guess it’s like a social responsibility to transform, to make our world better. What I liked about David’s answer for knowledge is this: “All the things we don’t know that we don’t know.” This is about getting out of the box, being creative, being sensitive to the unknown. I think it is an important attitude to have even during our daily lives.

So, for media, what exactly are we learning? To quote a sentence in David’s book: “Media as triggers for experiences and making things happen.” It’s what I believe studying “making” media will bring me—experiences and the coming true of a dream. It’s a life long journey to go.