The concept of the ‘global village’ was first introduced by Marshall McLuhan in his book ‘Understanding Media: the extensions of man (1964)’. McLuhan argued that new media technologies, such as television and the internet, were collapsing time and space, creating a more interconnected world that he referred to as the global village.
According to McLuhan, the global village was characterized by a sense of connectedness and interdependence, as people around the world were increasingly able to communicate and interact with one another in real-time. He believed that this was a revolutionary development that had important implications for human consciousness and culture.
One of the key features of the global village was the way in which it transcended traditional boundaries of space and time. McLuhan argued that new media technologies had the ability to ‘annihilate distance’, making it possible for people to communicate and exchange information across vast distances in real-time. This had important implications for international relations, as it made it possible for people from different cultures and backgrounds to communicate and interact with one another in ways that were previously impossible.
Another important feature of the global village was the way in which it created a sense of global consciousness. McLuhan argued that new media technologies were creating a shared understanding of the world, as people from different cultures and backgrounds were exposed to the same information and ideas. This had important implications for the way in which people viewed themselves and their place in the world, as it encouraged a sense of global community and interdependence.
Overall, the concept of the global village has had a profound impact on the way in which we understand the role of media and technology in shaping human consciousness and culture. It has encouraged us to think critically about the ways in which new media technologies are transforming our world, and to consider the implications of these changes for our lives and communities. McLuhan’s ideas about the global village continue to be relevant today, as we navigate a rapidly changing world that is increasingly interconnected and interdependent.
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