McLuhan Collage

Media Collage

The medium that I am using to make my media collage is Blackberry devices. The content of Blackberry devices is communication, through phone calls, text messaging, instant messaging, or the Internet. Blackberrys also have many other features such as GPS systems, games, cameras, and media players. The message is that we now can communicate and contact anyone we want, whenever we want. We can send an email to our family and co workers, instant message a friend, check the weather, and look for directions, all through one small hand held device. In today's increasing technologically advanced times, we are able to deliver quick and easy messages to people in our address books, along with many other features. In my collage, I am going to use pictures of the different Blackberry devices, photos of people communicating, the logos of Verizon Wireless and AT&T, and other features that Blackberry devices have to offer.

McLuhan reading-"the medium is the message"

McLuhan's article, "The Medium is the Message", explains that "as the personal and social consequences of any medium--that is, of any extension of ourselves--result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves or by any new technology" (23). McLuhan goes on to say that "the message of any medium or technology is the change of scale or pace or pattern that it introduces into human affairs" (24). The medium influences how the message is perceived. Media should be what is studied, not the message that is portrayed. The example he gives is electric light, saying that it is pure information. He states that "the medium is the message because it is the medium that shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action" (24). Electric light, or electricity, is known as the greatest reversal because it caused instant speed. With electricity, people were able to do things they could have never done before, and with significant speed and sequence, such as see in the dark.

A current innovation in technology is a cell phone. The message behind a cell phone is to create a communication channel by exchanging phone calls, messages, pictures, and more to others. However, with all the new technological advances that are available on cell phones today, people are still looking for the newest, best innovations. A cell phone that just takes pictures and videos is no longer considered good. A cell phone must be able to act as a GPS system, go onto the Internet, and play music in order to be of good quality. Although technology is rapidly expanding at a fast pace, people are still searching for the newest technological products. The original idea of the message of a cell phone was to communicate, but today, the idea is to be able to do so much more than just converse. It is to organize your day to day activities and entertain yourself in an easy, hands on way.