“We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us”
The quote “We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us” is often mistakenly attributed to Marshall McLuhan
It does NOT appear in “Understanding Media”, as Wilson Miner confidently asserts in the presentation below, indeed it does not appear in any published work by McLuhan at all.
The quote was actually written by Father John Culkin, SJ, a Professor of Communication at Fordham University in New York and friend of McLuhan.
But though the quote is Culkin’s, I would argue that the idea is McLuhan’s, as it comes up in an article by Culkin about McLuhan: Culkin, J.M. (1967, March 18). A schoolman’s guide to Marshall McLuhan. Saturday Review, pp. 51-53, 71-72.
The idea presented in the quote is entirely consistent with McLuhan’s thinking on technology in general.
This excellent 38-minute presentation by digital product designer Wilson Miner is titled “When We Build” and weaves together a discussion about Marshall McLuhan, Steve Jobs, the things we design and build, cars, computers, art and design.
It is well worth watching and listening to.
See more here mcluhangalaxy
Header image: Campaign
Please Donate Below To Support Our Ongoing Work To Defend The Scientific Method
PRINCIPIA SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL, legally registered in the UK as a company 
incorporated for charitable purposes. Head Office: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX.
Trackback from your site.
Howdy
| #
Doesn’t matter who it originated from, It isn’t the case unless you allow it, but then, why would you?
(Corrected your e-mail address post count went from ZERO to 1687) SUNMOD
Reply
Howdy
| #
Right, I see where you are coming from. I guess the mail addy I used must still actually exist, or otherwise I get notified. I’ll keep an eye on that. It also explains the double post.
Thank you.
I’ll do a test.
Reply
Howdy
| #
Doesn’t matter who it originated from, It isn’t the case unless you allow it, but then, why would you?
Reply
Howdy
| #
just testing
Reply
Howdy
| #
@Sunmod:
The Mod queue, and, anti-duplicate-post functions are both broken, can you acknowledge the report so I don’t keep typing it, and fix this issue please? Thanks.
Reply
les online
| #
Just a thought:
Will we ever stop slapping ourselves on the back ?
Who can compare with us ?
Higher Primates, or God ?
“Screens, Screens, Everywhere There’s Screens” to the tune of “Signs’ By Five Man Electrical Band
youtube.com/watch?v=oeT5otk2R1g
Reply