It is considered a landmark work in the field of media ecology and has had a significant impact on the study of media and communication.
The book argues that media technologies, such as the printing press, the telephone, and television, have transformed human consciousness and behavior by extending our senses and creating new forms of communication. McLuhan believed that media were like extensions of the human body and mind, and that they had a profound impact on the way we perceive, think, and interact with the world around us.
McLuhan also introduced several key concepts in the book, such as “the medium is the message,” which argued that the form of the medium had a greater impact on human perception than the content it carried. He also discussed the concept of “global village,” which described the ways in which new media technologies were collapsing time and space and creating a more interconnected world.
Overall, Understanding Media provides a thought-provoking analysis of the impact of media on human society and culture. It encourages readers to think critically about the role of media in shaping our perceptions and behaviors and to consider the implications of new media technologies for our lives and communities.
A mile from Edgware the rim of the wheel broke, and the machine became unridable.