Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

[jgk3]

"In this electronic age we see ourselves being translated more and more into the form of information, moving toward the technological extension of consciousness."

"Publication is a self-invasion of privacy. "

"Societies have always been shaped more by the nature of the media by which men communicate than by the content of the communication."

"The photograph reverses the purpose of travel, which until now had been to encounter the strange and unfamiliar."

"Ads are the cave art of the twentieth century."

"The printing press was at first mistaken for an engine of immortality by everybody except Shakespeare."

If you want more of these quotes: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/au...l_mcluhan.html

The reason why I used facebook in the title is because I consider this phenomenon as the epitome of man's willingness to digitize himself into remotely accessible information, or better yet... data. In reality, this occurs everywhere on the internet, in tv, newspapers, public transportation (using rfid chips), but nowhere have I seen it being conducted on such a scale, with such efficiency and with such willing participation as on facebook.

I just find it important to remember every now and then, what kind of age we live in, because of course, we experience the pleasures and eases of having all this access to information, but there is a double edge that is seldom exposed as the cost for participation in this kind of world. Marshall McLuhan was keen on this cost, on this double-edge, and yet, his insights fundamentally revolutionized the way the media engaged society, because this isn't a game of us vs them, its a game of how innovative we can be in simplifying the transmission of information, and how long it takes, if ever, before we realize just how much it has changed our lifestyles as individuals and as a collective.

[Sip]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

... man's willingness to digitize himself into remotely accessible information, or better yet... data.

I think the other way is far more important. Data is worthless without being able to extract meaningful information. For now, "the age of Internet" is pushing us towards overload of data. We can get a lot of data at incredible speeds even with today's technologies which are still improving at amazing rates. The problem is, information (useful information) is not as easy to come by as just sheer data.

[jgk3]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

I meant "better yet, data" in a sarcastic tone. And our individual details are data until they are interpreted as evidence for a greater trend or meaning, thus, information.

[Sip]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

ah! haha .. I totally missed the sarcasm on that part but now it makes a lot of sense.

[Crimson Glow]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

There seems to be a direct correlation between how greatly we digitize ourselves, and the lack of content and character with people who engage in doing so. Have you talked to today's youth? It's like trying to have a conversation with a zombie. Totally void of any thought (on subjects out side of video games and communications technology), or any substance to what they say. They have reduced even their real lives to chat room conversations, from the constant, pathetic use of acronyms, to the piss poor spelling, to the empty, pointless things they speak. It is the dumbing down of society, and they're happily partaking in it.

[Haykakan]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

Narcissism is the best way to descride it. Todays youth are more self involved then any other generation has ever been. This trait is prevalent in the xxxish religion and accurately reflects xxxish society which is highly individualistic in nature and is strengthening its hold on the whole world. Even in Armenia you will find narcissism at high levels today. The level of selfishness is on the rise worldwide and in general makes society much less pleasent. There is nothing wrong with doing things to better yourself or your life but the level of selfishness in modern society is a bit alarming and sertainly distasteful.

[jgk3]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

If people get dumbed down, it's their loss. If children go to school to send text messages to eachother, its because their parents are paying for their cell phones and aren't seeing (or caring) how it interferes with school.

We live in an age where if you want to find enrichment, be it intellectual, artistic, athletic, social or economic, you have all the information to make contacts, learn skills or read about how others have succeeded or failed in their pursuits, all right at your fingertips.

Likewise, if you just want to buy the newest gadget that turns all your alleged interests and friends into a digital, portable identity that can be accessed anywhere in the world 24/7, it's also at your fingertips.

If Armenian youth want to experiment with the later outcome of this technological freedom we live in today, they do so at their own discretion, like everyone else in the world does. Perhaps when they're 25, they'll consider how much money they've spent on just "being cool", and might have some reservations about their teenage choices. Perhaps they'll never have this epiphany and will continue to grow up this way, so long as they have money to afford this lifestyle and raise their kids on it.

[Gavur]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

This forum could use a little upgrading.

[Crimson Glow]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

If people get dumbed down, it's their loss. If children go to school to send text messages to eachother, its because their parents are paying for their cell phones and aren't seeing (or caring) how it interferes with school.

If it ended with it just being "their loss", I couldn't care less. The problem is, we all must deal with this dumbed down society on a day to day basis. Every time you shop somewhere, want to eat, need your car fixed, or go to work. They nearly cost people their lives while they talk, or worse yet, text while driving (wtf made these people feel they're even remotely capable of doing both at the same time??). They publicize personal conversations loudly enough that you can't NOT hear it. They stand their at the check out counter, and simply MUST either check/reply to a text, or answer a call at this very second.

Where as it would have initially seemed rude to do these things, the degrading of ethics eventually becomes the new accepted standard. And so, we keep lowering them, and lowering them, sinking further and further down the sh*tter. Those that don't join in on the mind numbing are forced to deal with the idiots that do. That becomes the problem. Their loss is costing us far more than it costs them.

The parents couldn't care less because all this technology makes for a good babysitter, which is perfect since it seems most parents just don't want to deal with their kids these days. They were probably praying for the day that zoning out and sitting in your room for hours on end would become all the rage.

[jgk3]

Re: Next time you log into facebook, consider some Marshall McLuhan quotes

If it ended with it just being "their loss", I couldn't care less. The problem is, we all must deal with this dumbed down society on a day to day basis. Every time you shop somewhere, want to eat, need your car fixed, or go to work. They nearly cost people their lives while they talk, or worse yet, text while driving (wtf made these people feel they're even remotely capable of doing both at the same time??). They publicize personal conversations loudly enough that you can't NOT hear it. They stand their at the check out counter, and simply MUST either check/reply to a text, or answer a call at this very second.

Where as it would have initially seemed rude to do these things, the degrading of ethics eventually becomes the new accepted standard. And so, we keep lowering them, and lowering them, sinking further and further down the sh*tter. Those that don't join in on the mind numbing are forced to deal with the idiots that do. That becomes the problem. Their loss is costing us far more than it costs them.

The parents couldn't care less because all this technology makes for a good babysitter, which is perfect since it seems most parents just don't want to deal with their kids these days. They were probably praying for the day that zoning out and sitting in your room for hours on end would become all the rage.

I agree with what you say. This is why I appreciate the culture of rural areas and the ethic of self reliance. I've greatly lowered the degree of mundanity I experience in the city by familiarizing myself with homemade cooking, combining walking as a serious means of transportation (so I won't have to constantly be on wheels), reading books every day, etc... When I make those habits a priority in life that I will not sacrifice just because it is not the mainstream, I find peace and could not care less how other people live their lives.

A big part of this calmness I feel also comes from the fact that I don't recognize the city culture I'm immersed in on a day to day basis as the only culture I need to live in. Quite the contrary, I imagine myself living in many rural and even wild areas, which promotes my curiosity about nature, primitive technologies, the importance of social contacts and teamwork, etc... I do not feel like I am suffering anymore because everyone is busy texting or talking on their cell phones, because my mind is already occupied by something meaningful to me that none of these folks with an outward appearance of "techno-zombies" can disturb. In fact, I feel an advantage when amongst them because my habits and ideas might be of interest to others who inherently share my desires in life, but are for the time being dressed up in a social outfit that is keeping them from self-actualization. It is evident that the term closet-case really shouldn't be reserved for sexual orientation, closet-case seems to apply to anyone who would experience greater happiness in life if they "came out" with their basic desires despite their early perception of a tyranic mainstream.

As you can see, I don't believe peoples' minds are destroyed by the mainstream, but merely masked by mainstream customs and ideas/beliefs. A 14 year old who grew up in a cellphone culture might someday be drawn to the forest and come to value birdwatching, fishing and hiking more than talking to friends about going to parties downtown. These interests in nature are inherent, but the individual needs a trigger, consecutive experiences in an environment they truly love and not just what they can manage to go along with, to find where they can find meaning in life. At some point, they are going to weigh their highschool friendships against new kinds of experiences in their lives, and will get to make a choice. When they have kids, they will bestow upon them an upbringing that takes into account their life's development, and this indicates that social culture is ever evolving. In this society of ours that is relatively well fed and safe, it is we (the individuals, the masses who seldom make the papers or history books) who are directly responsible for where the mainstream is headed.

Finally, our commentary/critic about the effects of modern media on our social habits should reflect an appreciation for how man has lived in different eras, in different parts of the world under different circumstances. People seek a certain basic sense of security and comfort in this world, whether they live in the arctic and must travel with sled dogs 1000 km at a time to the next outpost for provisions, in a tropical area where people live with a constant fear of malaria, in farmlands where everyone fears a drought, and finally, in a city where social class truly distinguishes peoples' fears, the rich fearing socialistic taxing and the poor fearing unemployment and high interest rates.

If people find comfort in cellphones, texting eachother and whatnot, it is a reflection of how they have adapted their lives at large with the environment they live in. Over the past 60 years, we went from phones, radios, tvs, internet, and now finally gadgets that can combine all of them in one. If they can still manage to make a living, finding comfort and security in their lives, they will continue on this path. I don't blame them, it's just human nature to keep going until you hit a brick wall. My freedom lies in the fact that I don't need to hit the same brickwall as everyone else (and if it is the same brick wall, I don't have to run into it with the same velocity as another person might), and no amount of technology or mainstream culture can ever change that

This forum could use a little upgrading.

Perhaps you can submit your suggestions to support and feedback, we will definitely consider your thoughts. Thanks.