My Second Note: McLuhan’s Media Prophecy: How Technology Shapes Us
Marshall McLuhan, a media philosopher, revolutionized our understanding of the world with his famous adage, “The medium is the message.” This concise yet profound statement accurately conveys that media are not merely tools for transmitting information, but rather they fundamentally shape our thoughts, values, and even our identities. McLuhan argued that the type of media we consume significantly impacts how we think, behave, and perceive the world. By examining the influence of media such as print and journalism on culture and society, he demonstrated that media not only tell us what to think but also how to think. According to McLuhan, in contemporary society, media, newspapers, and films shape not only the quantity and content of the information we consume but also the very definition of humanity and our understanding of our place in the social order.
Marshall McLuhan, in his book “The Gutenberg Galaxy,” introduced an innovative concept by dividing human communication history into three galaxies. The first galaxy, the Oral Galaxy, extended from the dawn of Homo sapiens to the 15th century. During this period, communication was primarily face-to-face, and while writing existed, it did not play a central role in shaping civilizations.
The second galaxy, which began with Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press, was named the Galaxy of Print. This era, marked by the spread of literacy and access to information, brought about significant transformations in various aspects of life. However, with the emergence of new communication technologies, this galaxy gradually gave way to another. McLuhan symbolically considers the invention of the telegraph and telephone as the end of this era.
The third galaxy began with the electronic and informatics revolution and continues to evolve. In this galaxy, mass media such as radio, television, the internet, and social media play a central role. McLuhan argued that in this era, cultural communication has become heavily reliant on technology and has created new forms of social interaction.
In my opinion, we are rapidly iterating from one new media situation to an even newer media situation. While the first and second galaxies took centuries to evolve, the third galaxy is changing at a much faster pace. With the emergence of each new technology, we quickly transition to a new media landscape.
With the advancement of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, we will undergo dramatic changes.. These technologies can lead to more realistic and interactive experiences, blurring the lines between the real and virtual worlds. As artificial intelligence progresses, the future of media will look vastly different from what we know today. AI can play a crucial role in content generation, personalized news and advertising, and even creating virtual and augmented reality experiences. These changes can open up new opportunities for creativity and innovation, but they also pose new ethical and societal challenges.
In conclusion, I must say that in the present era, with the proliferation of the internet, satellites, and smartphones, the foundation of our knowledge and communication has changed dramatically. Social media, search engines, and online platforms have transformed how we access information, interact with others, and shape our identities. These changes have occurred much faster and more extensively compared to the era dominated by radio and television.
With the advent of new technologies like artificial intelligence and neural implants, we are approaching a new frontier of communication and interaction with technology. In the not-so-distant future, media may become an integral part of ourselves, and the lines between humans and machines may blur. In such a scenario, the concept of the media will be completely transformed, creating a new and complex world. A new world where the internet will become the sixth sense of humans.
