This essay will consist of two articles: McLuhan, M Understanding the Media: The Extensions of Man, pages 82-91 and Williams, R The Technology and the Society, pages 92-104. it will include contrasts and comparisons.
The technology and society article is about how technology had actually come about and how people believe it has come about. It talks a lot about how technology has made an impact in our world. During the article the writer presents that technology is "a technological accident, but it's significance lies in it's uses" which portrays that technology has different uses to different sections of society for example a TV will be associated with and used for fun by the mass population, but a TV is seen as a little more then a billboard to corporations trying to sell their products. However in Understanding Media: The Extension of Man is more about the message with in technology. It talks a lot about how a piece of technology can show a message to it's audience and each message can be different depending on what piece of medium (technology) it is. For example certain media outlets in America are notorious in supporting political parties and pushing their agendas to the audience.
Both articles present that technology can change our view on how we see things. Williams states "television has altered our world" which is showing the television has changed how we see life now a days compared to when there was no television. It has in a sense as before we would go to the theatre whereas as now you can stay at home and be entertained. As well as McLuhan says "Technology is the change of scale or pace or pattern that it introduces into human affairs" which presents a similar meaning to the Williams quote which is that technology has impacted how we see things and has changed our views on certain things. For example when the first movie was shown people were scared and they thought it was magic, whereas further on in technology when the first touch screen phone was created people were excited and understood more how technology works.
McLuhan say "It could be argued that these activities are in some way the "content" of the electric light, since they could not exist without the electric light" Which is meaning that certain activities could not exist without technology so nothing can replace electronics. This could mean that the electric light has opened a lot of doors technologically so the electric light has lead to many other inventions. However Williams says "If television had not been invented, this argument runs, we would still be mindlessly entertained." So Williams is trying to say that technology can be replaced by other things, which could be true as if the television wasn't invented we would still be going to theatre or puppet show for example.
Both articles are specific on what type of technology they use in their arguments e.g "the electric light" and "televisions". This could be because these best illustrate and justify their opinions, in some peoples opinions. It also makes their points more understandable to the audience.
To the audience Williams article seems more convincing as the write has broadened his opinions more with using various quotes/ sayings. It is also more convincing as he has explained his points much more so that the audience can understand where he is coming from. Whereas McLuhan's article is harder to understand his point that he is trying to get across due to him using the same example over and over again perhaps if he had use different quotes we may have understood him more and he may have been more convincing.
Quote collected from McLuhan, M Understanding the Media: Extensions of Man pages 82-91 and Williams, R The Technology and The Society, pages 92-104 on the 3rd of August 2013.
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