(To be honest, I didn’t understand
the reading very well. I’m still confused as to whether the title is “The
Medium is the Massage” or “The Medium is
the Message.” It seemed like there were many contradictions in the text. In any
case, I decided to write about how media and the younger generation affect the
workforce and management- a nod towards my current business class. I’ll edit
this after the class discussion. )
![]() |
http://spacecollective.org/sjef/4148/ The-medium-is-the-massage |
McLuhan
makes a note that “As new technologies come into play, people are less and less
convinced of the importance of self-expression” (67.) This…is entirely
incorrect.
A
trend in today’s world is a movement towards self-expression. As technology
spreads across the globe and more people become connected, an individual
believes that someone- somewhere- will listen and agree with his thoughts. He
can be heard as he has never been heard before. He demands attention, in one
form or another, and shouts as loud as he can.
Children are
taught, from adults and media, that an opinion matters.
“Your ideas are the most important.”
“The
world is a competition.”
“If
you aren’t building your dream, you’re building someone else’s.”
A young adult -
a teenager – a child learns that he must speak the loudest and have very strong
opinions. If he does not, then he will be subdued and pressed into a
“conformist corner.” He becomes the labor force of another person’s dreams. The
younger generations will do anything to avoid the “common” or the “static.”
“What do you know about the OLD
world of business and management?” The business professor asks.
![]() |
http://entrepreneurshipforum.org/ can-schools-teach-you-to-be-an-entrepreneur/ |
The
students respond, “It is cold and mechanical. There is no life. There is no
creativity. There is no humanity.”
“And
what would make it more human?”
“Pass
the power around. No single person should be in authority. We should all be
heard!”
The
younger generation wants to be heard. Even above someone who might know or seen
more. “It isn’t a matter of experience, it’s a matter of creativity!” The
student might refute that EVERYONE should be heard. But on the inside, HE wants
to be the leader. There is little teamwork or cooperation in today’s world. But
why? Did the older generations act like this when they were young?
![]() |
http://www.official-top-ten.com/top-10-lists/ top-ten-characteristics-of-a-successful-entrepreneur/ |
McLuhan
comments that the prior generations, who were limited to the education in schools
and the limited television, were “more earnest, more dedicated.” Limited to an
ancient education, which has long since fallen behind the progress of real
life, this generation believes that conformity is good. A little office with
the same chore everyday and the same accomplishments every year is perfectly
acceptable.
The
younger generation, which grew up on on-the-minute updates on tablets and the
millisecond communications of the smart phones, thirsts for adventure and
instant results.
“If the job is boring, leave it!”
The workforce shifts from
the static, loyal worker of 50 years to the young contingent entrepreneur.
Media
is everywhere and everything. As a child grows, he has access to thousands of
devices. This generation affects the future and they want it now.
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