How important that the technology order our sense? The potential effects of mass media content has been the focus of public concern. Most people lack the awareness of personal experience of an environment, but mostly from the media coverage, recognized the"second-hand real" which showing the importance of the media in community and public. McLuhan mentioned "The medium is the message", I fully agree.
In technological determinism, the technological base creates the social superstructure, such as the class division, social values, representative democracies. The media has always been regarded as a bridge between the public, society and government. Using the umbrella revolution which occurred in last year as an example, public dissatisfaction with the government was not so strong originally, people informed that social situation through Facebook or other media, which gathered a group of people to express their wishes through actions. I was one of people who was not satisfied with the government and stand up. First do not comment on their action was too aggressive or not, we can see the role of the media, not only reporting the important social information, also distinguish right from wrong which is playing the inevitable social responsibility. The influence of the media can be as far as our way of thinking.
I understand everyone would have different views on the social policies. Therefore, I would like to use another example.
I believe that all girls want to find a boy who loves her so much. I am no exception. And the best way to express love, in addition to usual care, that is the gift. For a while, PANDORA became the most desired gift in Hong Kong. But precisely because its price is not cheap, it was criticized for worships money, the symbol of Hong Kong woman. With the online critical voices constantly which make people deterred and fear of being tag. When we loss the reflection on self-worth, it is terrible since the emergence of the media would affect our values directly.
Thus, the media determine our way of thinking.
Student name: Grace Yip
Dear Grace, thanks for sharing your views about political issue and personal matter. Your observations about media technology are correct. They play a key role in shaping our everyday life. But what you need to notice is how media form is independent from its content. This is what McLuhan emphasised.
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