George R.R Martin once said: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.” This is not just applicable to the reader of books or the watcher of movies but also to the book or the movie itself. Once a book, movie, or TV show is released it is no longer the property of the creator. Instead it is owned by those who take on the challenge of interacting with it. Each person will approach and appreciate the art in a different way, informed by their own unique experiences and thought processes.

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In a world where the disposable consumption of short-form online content has taken over, it is becoming ever more vital to rekindle an appreciation for deep engagement. Reading an entire book takes time. Watching a full movie takes time. Sitting through seasons of a TV show takes time. Doing all this without relying on the standards imposed by others, especially through online media that dulls thinking, takes strength. We at First Thought hope to revitalise what has become a lost art: the formation of original opinions.