The Medium Is the Message

The Medium is the Message

There is constant exposure to agendas created by the media and popular opinion. There seems to be some sort of opinion or expression at every turn. Communications through mediums are done by various outlets. Words are very powerful and can be interpreted differently depending on how they are presented. As Marshall McLuhan states, "It's not what one says but how one says it". (McLuhan) +After having read Marshall McLuhan's The Medium is the Message, one can see the differences between the "hot" and "cold" mediums.* Talk shows answers many of our questions on how to cope with life; T-shirts are a vehicle for advertising and expression; the national political news media tends to ignite anger amongst it's citizens.

Talk shows answer many of our questions on how to cope with life. We look to Oprah to tell us what books we should be reading and Dr. Phil to fix our relationships. We allow them to come into our living rooms with the hope that their messages will somehow put us on the path to living the ultimate life. Talk shows also have the ability to make one feel as though they are completely normal. If one watches an episode of Jerry Springer, clearly one feels that they are without issues. According to Ellen Hume's, Talk Show Culture, "...relationship shows became showcases of deviant, taboo revelations that were titillating and dramatic." (Hume) One enjoys seeing the chaos that ensues once the anticipated secret is revealed on national television. Hume also states that "...the internet allowed the creation of diverse virtual communities out of like minded chatters, offering a sense of connectedness to everyone, no matter how bizarre their interests might be." (Hume) One can find many media outlets or groups that one can become involved in just by typing in the search engine what is interesting to them.

T-shirts are a vehicle for advertising and expression. I'm not certain if one knows what the expression is saying about oneself. I suppose it is possible that wearing the T-shirt that reads IF WE ARE WHAT WE EAT THEN I AM FAST CHEAP AND EASY, is viewed as funny. However, one can't help but form an opinion of that person without even knowing them. Political advertisements are very often seen on T-shirts, especially during election years. The OBAMA MAMA and I ♥ OBAMA T-shirts were seen everywhere. Voting for Obama was certainly the popular choice. The anti religious T-shirts seem to always anger people. The saying SMILE YOU JUST MET AN ATHEIST has become very popular and really just states one's own beliefs, but it certainly has he ability to offend the religious population. Expressing one's views always runs the risk for antagonizing others. Rage can also be ignited from the message on a T-shirt. The saying DO IT YOURSELF EASTER KIT that