To say that "the camera cannot lie" is merely to underline the multiple deceits that are now practised in its name.
Marshall McluhanRead
America is the only country ever founded on the printed word.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the foundational role of communication and written words in shaping America’s identity.
Marshall McLuhan’s quote emphasizes that the United States was uniquely established through the principles and philosophies conveyed in written texts, such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. This highlights the importance of literacy and the influence of printed material in the formation of societal norms and governance, suggesting that America's identity is deeply rooted in its written word.
Themes
AmericaFoundedPrinted WordCommunicationIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on the importance of literacy, this quote can serve as a powerful reminder of America’s roots.
More from Marshall Mcluhan
All quotes →A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.
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In big industry new ideas are invited to rear their heads so they can be clobbered at once. The idea department of a big firm is a sort of lab for isolating dangerous viruses.
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The news automatically becomes the real world for the TV user and is not a substitute for reality, but is itself an immediate reality.
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Faced with information overload, we have no alternative but pattern-recognition.
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The poet, the artist, the sleuth, whoever sharpens our perception tends to antisocial; rarely 'well adjusted,' he cannot go along with currents and trends.
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