McLuhan's Media Theory: Mechanical vs. Electric Orders
Marshall McLuhan's media theory is among the first to give a central role to electrical phenomena in history. His 1964 book "Understanding Media" examines how media, considered "technological extensions of man," shape the contemporary world. The analysis contrasts two technical orders from the Industrial Revolution: the mechanical and the electric, which successively dominated the 19th and 20th centuries.
Key facts
- Marshall McLuhan's media theory prioritizes electrical phenomena in history.
- His book 'Understanding Media' was published in 1964.
- McLuhan defines media as 'technological extensions of man.'
- The theory contrasts mechanical and electric technical orders.
- Mechanical order dominated the 19th century.
- Electric order dominated the 20th century.
- The analysis is based on the Industrial Revolution's technical developments.
- The article appears in a dossier titled 'Effets de vitesses : l'expérience des seuils.'
Entities
Artists
- Marshall McLuhan
Sources
- artpress —