Meet the voice behind simply Q
Welcome! This page offers a deeper insight into the author behind the Simply Q blog posts. My goal is for you to feel a stronger connection, understand my perspectives better, and join me on this journey of discovery and discussion. I'm glad you're here to learn more.
Behind the Blog
This is Q, a college student from New York studying economics. My curiosity extends beyond coursework and into how ideas show up in real spaces — especially online. Growing up with Puerto Rican, Peruvian, and Italian roots gave me early exposure to different cultures and perspectives, which pushed me to pay attention to how environment, identity, and context quietly shape how people think and act.
Much of what I write is driven by observation. Social media, in particular, has become one of the most interesting environments to study. It’s where people perform, argue, learn, exaggerate, and sometimes contradict themselves all at once. I’m curious about how platforms influence behavior, how trends form, and how online spaces affect attention, self-image, and communication — especially for people my age.
Outside of writing and school, I spend a lot of time staying active. Fitness is a consistent part of my routine and a way to stay disciplined and grounded. I enjoy traveling and being in new environments, as well as simpler things like going to the beach or spending time with friends. Sports have always played a role in my life — I’m a Mets and Knicks, and I wrestled in high school. Wrestling, in particular, taught me how to be comfortable with discomfort, how to stay accountable, and how to think strategically under pressure.
Family is central to who I am, and that sense of structure and connection influences how I approach relationships and responsibilities. I also have a dog!!!!! I am a big fan of music, and my taste spans across various genres.
Simply Q exists because I don’t believe ideas need to be overstated to matter. The name reflects a preference for clarity over performance and thought over presentation. This blog is a space for observation, reflection, and dialogue — shaped by curiosity rather than certainty. I enjoy sharing my perspective, but I value disagreement and alternative viewpoints just as much. My goal isn’t to persuade, but to think carefully, notice honestly, and invite conversation.
Media Interests
I have a strong interest in media, especially social media, because of how present it is in everyday life and how much influence it has on the way people think and interact. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X are often used casually, but they play a major role in shaping opinions and trends. As a college student, I find it interesting how much time people spend online and how quickly information spreads, whether it is accurate or not. Media has become one of the main ways people learn about the world, communicate with others, and express themselves.
I’m particularly curious about how social media affects behavior and decision-making. Small design choices, such as likes, shares, and recommendations, can influence what people pay attention to and how they respond. I’m also interested in how algorithms decide what content users see and how that shapes what feels important or popular. Understanding how media connects to economics, advertising, and engagement also matters to me, since these incentives influence what content is promoted and consumed.
By the end of the semester, I hope to better understand not only how media works, but how it affects students on a daily basis and how it influences communication, relationships, and beliefs in subtle ways.
Media-related questions and curiosities:
- How does social media influence attention, behavior, and decision-making among college students?
- How do algorithms determine what content people see, and how does that shape opinions or trends?
- In what ways does online self-presentation differ from real-life identity, and what pressures come with that?
- How do advertising and engagement incentives affect the type of content that becomes popular?
End of Semester Reflection
Initially, I was primarily interested in the topic of the impact of social networks on the college audience with a focus on its influence on attention, behavior, and decision-making processes. One of the findings that surprised me is the emphasis on maximizing the audience's attention. During our discussions, we considered the concept of the "attention economy" and now see how actively this principle operates on social networks. For instance, once I open TikTok or Instagram, the time I spend scrolling significantly exceeds my initial intentions. Continuous exposure also affects behavior and decision-making processes. In particular, trends, opinions, preferences, and even purchasing behavior are highly susceptible to social network activity. In this respect, it is noteworthy that in my blog post dedicated to the influence of media on culture through artists such as Kid Cudi and Lil Uzi Vert, the same concept can be applied.
What else caught my attention was the process by which algorithms filter our experience on social media and how much they are responsible for forming opinions. Algorithms record everything—the number of likes, views, and clicks—and promote content that engages us. In the long run, this leads to filter bubbles and echo chambers, where we are exposed only to content that resonates with our interests and beliefs. I have observed it first-hand, when my newsfeed becomes incredibly personalized based on my interactions with various pieces of content. It ties into my analysis of the Bleacher Report article, where content is produced to maximize user engagement. The objective of the article is not to provide an objective and unbiased piece of journalism; it seeks to entertain us. This is how media influence is exercised—subtly and subtly—but very effectively.
One thing that never crossed my mind at the start of the semester was online presentation as compared to real life and the amount of pressure one experiences due to it. It is apparent after all that social media is just a highlight. People are putting out their best foot forward, creating a lot of pressure on others to do the same. This brings me back to the concept of impression management since people can be said to be controlling how other people view them. There is also the issue of likes, comments, and views, which ties into how social media algorithms prioritize some content. As mentioned before in the comparison between different types of ads (cigarettes), the message is altered based on what is effective in getting the audience to behave in a certain way, but this is live in the moment. Content that generates interaction is what will be circulated. Therefore, people are bound to follow suit.
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