So a lot of people have wondered why I’m going into a double major in creative writing and film studies after going to governors school for math and science, after debating for four years, after acing history and government, after doing everything but anything about writing or film other than doing well in English and going over the top on video projects. Well you see, I want to have an influence, make an impact on this hurting world. Thus why my senior project was to create a promotional/awareness video for To Write Love On Her Arms, an organization dedicated to inspiring hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. We live in a hurting world, a broken world, one where the divorce rate is 50%, inner city schools are run like prisons to keep kids in line, suicide rates have increased 65%, drug use is rampant among teens and adolescents, and 9 in 10 people have had sex either before or out of marriage. America has fallen to 37th in education in industrialized nations, and there is a pervasive sense of contempt for anything claiming to be morally right. I could dedicate this entire page to statistics showing the destruction of America’s youth, but I did that before in my senior government project, illustrating the cultural impact of the media as embodied by Jersey Shore. And see, the media has a staggering effect. Beliefs and opinions, ideas and the front-page news: all inspired or influenced by the mass media in today’s society. The media machine is designed to make money; the results of teens trying to live lifestyles like those of their favorite MTV stars, such as teen pregnancy or drug use, don’t matter because either way they’re raking in the dough. Viacom in fact boldly proclaims that “We don’t advertise to this generation, we own this generation.” And in a sense, when looking at all the statistics. There is some truth to that. So where are the respectful, the responsible, the people with a sense of right and wrong in the media today? Where are the people who want to have a positive impact on the world, not just make money?

Some have told me that I should go into politics. But you have to realize that politicians are just like me: stubborn and incredibly unlikely to change their solid opinion or belief on something. But with creative writing and film studies, perhaps I can write a powerful screenplay that inspires a new generation, or a touching film that at least makes people think. Perhaps I can utilize the influence of the media for a positive purpose and make a difference in this world. A noble goal that is somewhat unlikely, but why can’t we dream?