Our Medium
Here a blast from the past. While strolling through Bull Moose Records the other morning, I came across this face staring up at me. The Medium is the Massage is Marshall McLuhan's book of juxtaposed images, ordinary photographs along side the famous, and text shown backwards, mirror-like. Lots of experimental stuff and crazy collages fill the pages. The 1967 book was a groundbreaker and 'the bible' for a course I took entitled "Medium is the Message", McLuhan's famous saying. The course was on media and communication. In the book he makes his case that technologies of the modern world like the book, music, clothing and even the wheel are messages in themselves to our world. I remember I had it late on Thursday afternoons, and it was a welcome break from the rigors of Romantic Poetry and the 18th Century British Novel, two other courses I was carrying at the time. By the way, yes, the title was an error. It was supposed to be called "The Medium is the Message", but when the newly published book came from the publisher 'message' had been misprinted as 'massage'. Given the subject of the book, sort of haunting.
Also, I'd say if you're going to wade into this text, beware. Beyond the photos and the fun, it's dense.
After all, McLuhan was a great fan of James Joyce!
ps. This gal on the cover of the book(an the album here) would certainly grab a passer-by's attention. It caught my eye again and shot me back to a Western New York campus for a bit.
I had a small version of that book & loved it. Not too long ago I re-read it because so much has intensified since McLuhan wrote that book.
ReplyDeleteI remember the book and its message and the discussion it provoked but can't remember if I ever actually read it. But then I can't remember much from way back then! :)
ReplyDeleteThose eyes are very eye-catching!
ReplyDeleteIf there wasn't a Gilbert's summary, I probably didn't read it.
ReplyDeleteYour post took me back to my days at U of Toronto where McLuhan was a super star. His office was in an old house at St Mike's where I had a tutorial once a week and we always kept our eyes open hoping for a peek of him on the stairs. He lived in a gorgeous house in Wychwood near me until his death and even though I walk through there all the time I never saw him. And I've never read the book!
ReplyDeleteI have not read McLuhan's book but it has great reviews on Amazon. I think I should find time to read it. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThose are frightening eyes.
ReplyDeleteLike Lowell, I don't remember much from some parts of my life; I remember reading the book. arguing against the skeptics at the time, but don't remember any specifics.
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