The medium is the message

Cultural  

1. A statement by Marshall McLuhan, meaning that the form of a message (print, visual, musical, etc.) determines the ways in which that message will be perceived. McLuhan argued that modern electronic communications (including radio, television, films, and computers) would have far-reaching sociological, aesthetic, and philosophical consequences, to the point of actually altering the ways in which we experience the world.

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Example Sentences

If you’re not a boomer or a grad student, you may not have heard of him, but theorist Marshall McLuhan—the coiner of enduring aphorisms “the medium is the message” and “the global village”—warned us about today’s digital descent a long time ago.

From Slate

Here, the medium is the message; the rest is as nasty — and ultimately chaotic, tenderhearted, and yes, joyful — as it wants to be.

From New York Times

Communication theorist Marshall McLuhan famously observed that “the medium is the message,” challenging us go beyond the awe phase of new technology and ask questions about its social effects.

From Slate

As it turns out, the reason for Zelenskyy's visit was as deep as this: The medium is the message.

From Salon

But, as ever, the medium is the message.

From New York Times