The medium is the message, but what does that mean?
As far as the modern day communications-world is concerned, Marshall McLuhan is the equivalent of Mohammad Ali to boxing, Big Bird to Sesame Street and Picasso to Visual Art. In reference to communication, McLuhan stated that “the personal and social consequences of any medium—that is, of any extension of our- selves—result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology.” (http://web.mit.edu/allanmc/www/mcluhan.mediummessage.pdf)
Does that make sense to you? No? Me either…
Okay I lied, it makes a fraction of sense when I really think about it. However the (hypothetic) brick wall I continue to hit so far…every time I think I understand, I find something which indicates that I do not actually understand and that I am in fact very, very wrong.
*Cue meltdown*
I’ll have a crack at it though…
So, as far as I currently understand (Disclaimer: this is not a learning resource) McLuhan’s theory that the ‘Medium is the Message’ refers to the way the medium by which a message is sent, influences the way the recipient of the message interprets that message. This acknowledges the fact that the medium by which a message is sent holds it’s own message. For example, a text message can be misinterpreted by simply being read. I.e. a message may be interpreted differently when in a verbal context, rather than non-verbal.
You can relate, trust me…
Have you ever received a text when someone replies “ok” and your first thought is “OK?! WHY ARE THEY MAD WITH ME??” so then you call the sender and it turns out that they are perfectly fine?? I know I sure have…
(Okay, maybe that’s just me. But you get the idea)
This miscommunication is purely due to the way that the text message has been read by the recipient, as a result of the medium. This miscommunication would most likely have not occurred if the communication took place over telephone or in person, as the message would have been converted through a verbal medium, hence decreasing the opportunity for miscommunication.
This past week, Marshall McLuhen has not been my friend, but maybe I’m warming up to him slightly.
PLEASE if I’ve gotten the meaning of ‘The Medium is the Message’ wrong again, COMMENT below and I’ll attempt not to cry.
Until next week, that’s this week Pinned.
Emma.
Citation:
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan ©1964 (http://web.mit.edu/allanmc/www/mcluhan.mediummessage.pdf)
THE PIN BOARD 
I liked your example with the text messages and think everyone will agree that the medium in which someone says a simple ’OK’ can be interpreted differently via text or face to face! Often messages are miscommunicated through this medium. It helps to simplify the point of ‘The Medium is the Message’. It’s good that you used current and relevant examples to the audience your presenting to. Thanks for increasing my understanding. x
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I honestly thought you explained/argued that point really well. Very concise and well presented argument and explanation. The only thing that would have strengthened it beyond its original perspective was probably to say a little bit more about the form in the medium itself, rather than the content of the message being portrayed. Also, back on a positive note, the point on audio vs visual perception of the message was brilliant!
– Nathan
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Hey!
I found this post both entertaining and easy to relate to as I too struggled to grasp the concept of “The medium is the message”. I found this post to be both interesting and straight to the point. Also, I love how you’ve incorporated things such as text messages, for example, into this text as it really does help when trying to comprehend McLuhan’s phrase.
Taleasha 🙂
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