I have heard the phrase/term "the medium is the message" quite often over the years, however I never really knew what its' true logic of reasoning was. This article by Marshall McLuhan, in definitely gave some in depth analogies and purpose as to what the "medium" is. I felt the electric light was one of the main ideas I got out of the text. For example, when stated, "The electric light escapes attention as a communication medium just because it has no "content." And this makes it an invaluable instance of how people fail to study media at all" (McLuhan, 203). This shows how the medium in this case, it is not the content that shapes how the electric light is used, however it is medium that "shapes and controls the form of human association" (203). It is how as individuals, we choose to use the electric light and go about it. I also thought it was fascinating how McLuhan used familar lines from Shakespeare's various plays such as, "Romeo and Juliet", "Othello", etc.
An example I can think of from my personal experience is how the infamous FML site is a fan forum for people to post brief stories on how their day went horrible, or terribly wrong. This site is used for others to get a laugh, and to be entertained, as well so we all feel we can relate that, some days, are just not our days. Everyone's story being shared are different, however at the end of the day, their all pretty embarrassing, some more than others.
I find it interesting that you used the FML site as an example. I find that site interesting for the reasons you have already provided. Yet, I also find it frustrating. While many of them may be true stories from people's lives that have brought actual frustration, some are surely made up. I don't have a problem with the idea of using another person's misery for the purposes of humor or entertainment, or even sharing your own for the same reasons. This practice has been taking place since the beginning of humor as we know it. However, the posts which are fake give me moral qualms.
ReplyDeleteOne the one hand, they would seem to take away from the overall purpose of the site. Many site visitors, and perhaps users as well, expect a certain amount of honesty in the postings. The site has built itself upon the interesting, humorous postings that stemmed from people's miserable predicaments. On the flip side, coming up with a creative and truly funny FML post is an art form unto itself. Making people laugh with a post, while keeping it genuine in appearance and presentation, is no trivial task.
Though, fabricated posts take away from the purpose of the site, so they are worthless. Or are they?
If the website exists for the users to come together and share the combined humor and misery that life as human beings brings, does the fabrication factor matter in the end? To what degree is fabrication acceptable, if at all? The answer lies in how each individual chooses to view and utilize the website. This is a question for which a singular, correct answer does not exist. The question does, however, provide some food for thought!
(I realize this is past the week's deadline, but once contemplation of the topic was at hand, I had no intention of stopping simply because of the time showing on the clock. I hope you enjoy the comment, as I actually rubbed some brain cells together for a while in order to create it.)
(Professor: Feel free to judge this comment however you choose. I take responsibility for falling behind on the postings this week.)
Hey there Trevorsaurus,
ReplyDeleteI apologize this is a late response to your comment, however I wanted to thank you for your comments. You made some very valid and good points on your reasoning on the FML site and how individuals act. I also do agree with you on how fabrication is entailed through and on the site and how "the answer lies in how each individual chooses to view and utilize the website." That is absolutely true!
Thanks again for the comment!
Hope your having a great weekend so far :)
~little miss daisy