Media in Relation to Man

During the 1960s, Marshall McLuhan developed a number of ideas or concepts related to the mass media. One of the most significant of these ideas is his theory that "All media, from the phonetic alphabet to the computer, are extensions of man that cause deep and lasting changes in him and transform his environment" (McLuhan 13). This definition of media as an extension of man that changes him and his environment seems even more relevant five decades later in an era of new communication technologies that permit people to be exposed to media from afar and to exchange information with others without regard to conventional boundaries of time or space. This analysis will analyze media as a form of extension of the human.

Media as an extension of man is clearly seen in modern society and mass media. Daniel Boorstin (10) explores the illusory nature of life and the media in modern America in the concept of the "pseudo-event." Many media events are "pseudo-events" that are man-made, as opposed to natural events like earthquakes or a hurricane; something reported in the media because it is planned with the intent of getting media coverage. Boorstin (11) maintains there are three elements of the modern pseudo-event:

. It is not spontaneous, but comes about because someone has planned, planted, or incited it;

. It is planted primarily for the immediate purpose of being reported or reproduced; and

. Its relation to the unde

Related Essays

Media Role in American Politics .... United States to be distrustful of the country's mass media. .... Problems Confronting the United Nations in Relation to Peace .... Waltz, K. ...., the State, and War: A .... (1817 7 )

Media Predictions of Marshall McLuhan .... to the very heart of the social order and that defined how people viewed themselves in relation to their .... Understanding Media: The Extensions of ..... .... (1618 6 )

Media Coverage of OJ Simpson Trial .... examined jury sentencing goals in relation to locus .... conventional and unconventional media and media use contexts .... International Journal of ....-Machine Studies, 38 .... (3111 12 )

Media Technology for Organizations .... media technology is not penalized in relation to another. .... it was concluded that effective presentation media tech nology .... Strategic .... agement & business policy .... (3789 15 )

Civil War Media .... prophet' of the war's outcome: 'Like a .... in a .... the war and they reveal much about media coverage of .... Of course, equality for blacks in relation to whites has .... (7382 30 )

Category: Psychology - M