Yes, there is a lot of garbage out there on TV and on the Internet, but it’s all about finding those hidden gems – those mystically resonating television shows that you feel you can relate to like no one else can, that movie that makes you question your commitment to the “safe” path when there are oceans left to explore, that comedian who finds humor in truth and makes you wonder why the world doesn’t run that simply, that live soccer game that could only be scripted in the heavens, that advert that slaps a momentary smile on your face, and that speech that convinces you, at least for an instance, that living is a lot more than just money and food. It’s those moments that send a serene shudder down my spine and make all the visual vomit seem worthwhile.

I want to pay homage to these gems. Homeland blew my mind, multiple times, with its take on human unpredictability and the power of emotion. Modern Family takes simple relationships, and makes them genuinely funny, proving that blatant exaggeration and fake background laughs are not always needed to illicit laughter. The Social Network inspired the entire world of twenty-something, ambition-filled, pot-smoking, binge drinking college dropouts to find their high through success and perseverance. Heath Ledger showed the world how gripping terror can be, even under the persona of a Joker. The Lord of the Rings is the epitome of what the human mind is able to create – an entire fantasy world that magically stays true to human emotion. The Matrix eclipsed the concept of reality and Gladiator screamed the importance of staying true to yourself, despite injustices. Jim Jefferies and Ricky Gervais are arguably the two funniest people in the world and they find their humor in the clash between truth and social construct, which is ironical to say the least. Lionel Messi continues to mesmerize and do the impossible, proving that you don’t have to be tallest, strongest and fastest to be the best at sport. I am not from Detroit, but I watched that Chrysler/Eminem commercial over and over again on YouTube – it was just so well done. Sarah Kay has made me severely emotional a number of times, and thanks to TED, looking for inspiration has never been easier.

We are constantly looking for a story, and these great stories that seem impossible for the most part, help us write our own. They send us down an emotional rollercoaster that helps us find ourselves a little, and that’s fantastic. I want to someday be able to tell a story with such power. Hah, let’s see how that goes.

P.S. I judge people by the shows and movies they love. Also, would love to see some mathematical calculation as to what % influence media has on human behavior.