To say that "the camera cannot lie" is merely to underline the multiple deceits that are now practised in its name.
Marshall McluhanRead
Persons grouped around a fire or candle for warmth or light are less able to pursue independent thoughts, or even tasks, than people supplied with electric light. In the same way, the social and educational patterns latent in automation are those of self-employment and artistic autonomy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that technologies like electric light enhance individual thought and productivity compared to traditional sources like fire or candlelight.
Marshall McLuhan emphasizes the profound impact of technology on human thought and behavior. He argues that as societies adopt more advanced technologies, such as electric light, they not only improve efficiency but also enable individuals to think independently and engage in self-directed work. Conversely, older forms of technology, like firelight, create a communal environment that can hinder personal autonomy and creative expression.
Themes
TechnologyElectric LightIndependenceCreativityAutomation
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the impact of technology on creativity, this quote could illustrate how different lighting affects thinking.
More from Marshall Mcluhan
All quotes →A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.
Marshall McluhanRead
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.
Marshall McluhanRead
The news automatically becomes the real world for the TV user and is not a substitute for reality, but is itself an immediate reality.
Marshall McluhanRead
Faced with information overload, we have no alternative but pattern-recognition.
Marshall McluhanRead
The poet, the artist, the sleuth, whoever sharpens our perception tends to antisocial; rarely 'well adjusted,' he cannot go along with currents and trends.
Marshall McluhanRead
Similar quotes
We did envision that some day the phone would be so small that you could hang it on your ear or even have it embedded under your skin.
Martin CooperRead
You're either on, and you're connected and distracted all the time, or you're off, but then you're wondering, am I missing something important? In other words, you're either distracted or you have fear of missing out.
Tristan HarrisRead
Did you know that Kodak actually invented the digital camera that ultimately put it out of business? Kodak had the patents and a head start, but ignored all that.
Peter DiamandisRead
My goal wasn't to make a ton of money. It was to build good computers. I only started the company when I realized I could be an engineer forever.
Steve WozniakRead
We don't need to reject or disparage technology. We need to put it in its place.
Sherry TurkleRead
We have spent so much time worrying about a 'cyber Pearl Harbor,'' the attack that takes out the power grid, that we have focused far too little on the subtle manipulation of data that can mean that no election, medical record, or self-driving car can be truly trusted.
David E. SangerRead