Week 9 #1

In chapter 24, according to McLuhan, all humans go through four ages. Tribal age is that " an acoustic era; a time of community because the ear is the dominant sense organ." ( P 314). In this age, humans believed what they heard from because spoken words went to their ears immediately and directly. Literary age is that " a visual era; a time of private detachment because the eye is the dominant sense organ."( P 316). In this age, humans focused on what they saw. They could read books, and transfered the hearing to reading. Also, humans changed their way to communicate from group activities to individual reading ,and they thought about the reading by themselves. Print age is that " a visual era; mass-produced books usher in and industrial revolution and nationalism, yet in dividuals are isolated." ( 316). In this age, humans changed their reading from written to type. The readings could be printed many as humans wish. This age, humans sent information to the world was faster than any age before because of the print readings. Electronic age is that " an era of instant communication; a return to the global village with all-at-once sound and touch." ( 317). In this age, humans could stay home and knew every big events in the world by watching TV and talking on phone. This age made the world become more connected and sent information easier. Digital age is that" a possible fifth era of specialized electronic tribes contentious over diverse beliefs and values." In this age, humans use a lot of electronic products to connect the world. The electronic products help humans make the world no distand at all. we are in the digital age now; we don`t need to send a lettle and wait another 10 days to connect our friends in the another side of the world. We can use webcam to see the friends immediately.