Finalist 5: Kevin KangVote Now

During the day my recreations of sports and art occupy most of my time, but at night I find myself lost in my handheld device, worrying about worldly issues that plague today’s society. It’s just too interesting. The addictive nature of my mobile device lies in the information it provides. Not only does it give me the news, but it also offers the perspectives of others around the globe. It is online where I find myself the most absorbed and timeless, critically analyzing and learning about the matters of the modern world.

This yearning for knowledge has always existed within me, starting with reading books regarding entomology, geography, and religion. As a child I was impressed by what I didn't know, even slightly embarrassed at my own lack of understanding. I sought to study anything I could, and over time my phone replaced the physical articles I was frivolously reading every night. Its accessibility and reliability were unmatched, and so it became my new medium of information consumption.

Through the small screen of my phone I am able to see the desolate surface of Mars through the lens of the Curiosity rover. I am able to experience protests around the world beckoning for change. I am able to get all of this anytime and anywhere, enabling myself to research anything and learn endlessly. The ergonomic attributes of a handheld device make it unparalleled in its utility. Where other activities require tools and spare time, devices have become integrated within our lifestyles making its usage seamless. In fact, it’s my own phone that notifies me when I’m using it too much.

When I take the time to briefly remove myself from the discussions online, I always find myself pondering about what’s going on around me. We live in the age of information where knowledge is constantly created and consumed. Falling behind on trends and discussions could result in backlash from the community, as not “reading the room” has become a matter of insensitivity. This cycle of habitual info checking ensures my place in modern society. Though I feel trapped, I’m comforted knowing that I hold my own opinion on public matters and have relevant perspectives on both local and global issues.

My innocent hobby of collecting miscellaneous facts has developed into a worldly consciousness. In spite of everything that I’ve learned thus far, there’s so much more for me to experience and so much more that I haven’t researched or partaken in discussion. I’m eager to involve myself in my community and use my knowledge to the benefit of society, but as of right now I am humbled by what I don’t know.

I hope that one day I can use what I’ve researched to make a lasting impact on society and lead others to do the same. Physically I can quantify myself as a student, athlete, and artist, but it’s my thoughts and knowledge that is the foundation of who I am today, and what I will contribute to society in the future.