What Does All This Mean?

Media surrounds humanity today. There is very little that can be done to escape. The best defense from drowning in the virtual circus that is created is to learn about the media and to be aware of its effects on life. What this paper attempts to provide is an in-depth look at theories from Marshall McLuhan's Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man text. Using this background knowledge it is easier to see how relative the theories are to today's world, particularly with the cyber world. Computers do indeed have a profound effect on how humans interact. This sends a strong message to the media savvy person who understands what is happening when people interact with media and with each other. The computer also helps to demonstrate just how humans have extended their physical body as much as possible through the use of technology. Marshall McLuhan was a great mind in Communications Studies. He provided views that were before their time. They are only now starting to be understandable as people begin to see just what an effect the media can have on them. This new perspective came about in part thanks to the changes that the computer brought about as in the increase in the speed of change. Change like this would not have happened in the past before the computer when transformations took place much more slowly. That is the ultimate message that the computer medium gives to the world. That message is that change must be rapid.