Class 21: Does Language Influence Thought? Revisited

Held Tuesday, November 9, 1999

Summary

• Assigned:
  • Thesis paragraph for research paper (Due Tuesday, October 26, 1999).

Handouts

Notes

Questions

• What helped to unify the people of France so that the French Revolution could take place?
• When focusing on only one aspect of a concept by using a metaphor, is it possible to completely miss other aspects of the concept?
• We use a simile or a metaphor when we try to learn or perceive new things. It is usually done in this manner: if A is not like B, it may be like C, which is unlike B. Are there other ways of thinking when we try to comprehend new things?
• Bolter implies that modern technologies like the television (and virtual reality equipments) cannot provide us the same intellectual experience as printed books. What does this tell us about the cultural depth and integrity of the new generation, who spend so much time with these technologies, as compared to older generations?
• How does the context Internet browsers arrives (i.e. the title and/or page that the people are coming from) at a web page affect what they take away from that website and how they interpert the information on the website?
• Is the Internet affecting people who haven't even used it yet? How?
• I was very nearly offended by the McLuhan piece. Throughout the article I felt as though he was being condescending and rude toward anyone and everyone who doesn't immediately see his point. He spoke of "Narcissus" when describing some authors who didn't see things as he did and treated other authors as genius when he found even the smallest evidence to support his "medium is the message" babble. Does this condescending, narcissistic attitude help McLuhan to get his point across? I didn't find that it did but perhaps others saw support for his hypothesis by his very attitude.
• Also in the McLuhan piece, he spoke of Alexis de Tocqueville and his comparison of America to France. I have read de Tocqueville for another class (If I find the article, I'll bring it), and he was comparing two cultures and political feelings, not anything about media. Does this discredit McLuhan? If I find that one source is contrary to the hypothesis, can it be assumed that others will be as well?
• What is wrong with Bolter? His arguments in chapter 13 go all over the place and accomplish nothing: Isn't there a semiotic component to physical stimulus?!? What else but a metaphor is the heart-shaped symbol by which we imply love? How can he claim that stimulus-oriented media are impoverished of semiotic content?
• To what extent should we view media as resources? Exactly how powerful is the medium in determining the value or effects of the message?

History

• Created Monday, March 22, 1999 as a blank outline. (Can you tell what I was doing during Spring break?)