Known for his imaginative descriptions of
the media environment, McLuhan coined the phrases 'the medium
is the message' and 'the global village.' These two
aphorisms still linger on the tongues of critics, philosophers
and pop-culture makers as McLuhan's predictions and revelations
continue to be proven true over and over again.
Initially celebrated, later doubted and recently resurrected,
McLuhan has stood the test of time as one of the truly innovative
minds of this century. Some of his statements are as
fresh today as they must have been when he first appeared
on North American televisions in the 1960s. "Where
advertising is heading is quite simply into a world where
the ad will become a substitute for the product," said
McLuhan.
With the help of family, friends, and theorists, McLuhan
is revealed. Deeply conservative, reserved, difficult,
uncomfortable with the fame he sought, this very private man
remained an enigma for most of his life. The documentary
charts the course of McLuhan's life and work, his successes
and failures, paying careful attention to the central principle
of his work - the medium. Out Of Orbit also pays tribute
to McLuhan, his message, and the way in which his theories
and words have penetrated and influenced the consciousness
of today's media literate society.
Original Air Date - November 30, 1999
Links
Marshall
McLuhan: CBC Archives
Toronto
International McLuhan Festival of the Future
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sites)
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